Advice on Third Party Flash

[airconvent]

Hi fellas
I was helping out as a backup photographer at a dinner, so I brought out my trusty K100D and Mobiltz flash.
However, most of the shots were a disaster because :
1. Out of focus even though AS was on.
2. Over exposed.

The camera hot shot has 4 contact points but seems this flash only used one of them i.e. the one in the middle. I have tried both Autopict and Aperture priority but these only improved a little. I am using a Sigma 18-200 lens.
I took a shot of my friend at my table using the internal flash and it came out great. But as the built in flash failed beyond 3m, I had to use the external flash instead for the other shots. The flash had 3 settings, N, s1, s2 although I had no idea what they do. N works but S1/S2 does not sometimes. I also adjusted the extender to the correct value...based on the range of the flash (Telephoto, wide 1, wide 2).

1. Anyone can share some tips on how to use this effectively?
2. Are the additional pins on the hotshoes used for flashes with variable flash strength? i.e. camera able to set the correct strength according to the metering? So does this mean I need to buy an expensive Pentax intellient flash instead of the "dumb" flash I am usinf? I think even the cheapest Pentax flash cost $300+?

Thanks for the help !

[ExplorerZ]

1. AS does help in focusing.
2. The flash is a non-TTL enabled flash. adjustment have to be made for correct exposure... else why do you think people spent 300-600+++ for a flash?

It doesn matter which mode you use (av/tv/m... etc) since the flash doesn't sync TTL with the camera. built-in flash give you correct exposure becos it is using TTL system.

[airconvent]

Thanks ExporerZ
I am looking at the Pentax AF360, the Metz MZ-40-3i and the Sigma EF500DG Super,
Do you know how they compare with each other?
Thanks

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by airconvent Thanks ExporerZ I am looking at the Pentax AF360, the Metz MZ-40-3i and the Sigma EF500DG Super, Do you know how they compare with each other? Thanks

Im only a little familiar with the 500DG... a pretty decent flash. just make sure you get the Super model instead of the ST. ST one cost about 280 while super is 400+/-

[airconvent]

Thanks ExplorerZ.
The sellers I came across always specify a mount. I though the hot shoe is standard?
If they say its for a Nikon or Canon mount, does this mean I cannot use all the features on my K100D?
cheers

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by airconvent Thanks ExplorerZ. The sellers I came across always specify a mount. I though the hot shoe is standard? If they say its for a Nikon or Canon mount, does this mean I cannot use all the features on my K100D? cheers

hotshoe mount ain't stanrdard... if you do look at sony/minolta, their mount are far far different from the other brands. as for using canon mount on let say nikon flash, im not sure if it will work 100% correctly, with all function enabled?

[airconvent]

Thanks...will have to do some research then..
cheers

[sbc]

Pls dont use diff brand mounts for diff brand camera. e.g sigma flashes comes wif diff mounts for sigma, canon, nikon, sony n pentax. get the correct one! there are many smaller contacts around the main 1 in the centre. They serve diff functions for diff brands of camera. The signal and voltage/current may be diff, so it may damage ur flash and camera.

[dnaxe]

why don't you just get the pentax flashes? It's not that pricey.