RE: ZX5-N/MZ-S flash compensation

[David Willecke]

Max, I just today got an e-mail from the Pentax corporation confirming my observations--they said that the camera assumed the flash is the primary light source and the one the photographer would want to be able to adjust--and I think they are right, I just don't understand why they would leave this out of there manuals. I tested this by putting my cameras (both the MZ-S and ZX5-N) on a tripod and attatching and unattatching the flash unit while moving the exposure compensation dial. The data imprinting from the MZ-S on a roll of flash lit portraits also confirms that the apperature and shutter were not altered despite changing the exposure compensation dial in program mode. I tried all 3 automatic modes, as well, with the same result. This is great--I have control of my fill flash ratios with any flash on the camera, even the pop-up! Why does nobody seem to know this? It seems important if you use a flash and have a pentax?

David

From: "McRae, Max MS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: ZX5-N/MZ-S flash compensation
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 11:04:14 +1100

David wrote:

I have noticed that on my ZX5-N & MZ-S Camera's, the exposure compensation
dial becomes a flash compensation dial if either the on-camera flash is
popped up or an external flash unit is attatched--that is, setting the
exposure compensation dial no longer changes the camera's shutter speed or
the aperture setting, it only changes the flash output--this is true in
program mode, shutter priority, and aperature priority mode. Pentax does
not include this information in their manuals and from what I understand
this is not how most camera's exp. comp. dials work. Has anyone else
noticed this? I am just looking for some confirmation that I am not crazy.

I think this is a wonderful feature because it in effect allows me to
control the fill flash ratio.

Hmmm, that's very interesting David.
Tell me what you did to test it.

I find it very hard to believe, but would be delighted if it were true.

Max.

EOM

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