RE: Flash to use with ME super
Len Paris writes: Take another look and tell me what you see. I have been considering getting a 433D for my Pentax stuff because I like using the Quantum battery for big jobs. I have the 444D which, according to my Sunpak glossy, is exactly the same flash but uses the DX interchangeable-shoe system and comes with a zoom head. I got a mains power adaptor with mine, which helps save batteries if I'm using it indoors. The brochure explicitly states that the 433D accepts a 510V power pack, BTW. I'd definitely recommend the 433D/444D flashes (B3600D/B3600DX respectively, outside the US). I think the only missing feature is a PC socket, but PC/hotshoe adaptors are pretty cheap. I'd also like a longer dedicated remote cord but I can use a long Pentax 5P extension cord instead, so that's not really a problem either. I certainly wouldn't mind a Pentax AF500FTZ but the damn things cost more than a 43mm Limited lens down here... Cheers, - Dave David A. Mann, B.E. email [EMAIL PROTECTED] * http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/ "Why is it that if an adult behaves like a child they lock him up, while children are allowed to run free on the streets?" -- Garfield - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Flash to use with ME super
Jim Brooks wrote: I currently use a small autoflash (Fotomatic, GN18) with my ME super. It has excellent exposure accuracy but not a lot of power. I'm looking for a more powerful flash but wonder if anyone has experience of the accuracy of the old Pentax units made in the same era as the ME super. Any recommendations for Pentax or 3rd party units that are accurate and well-built? Hi Jim, I've got a Sunpak 433D dedicated flash for Pentax bodies, and I really love it. It's got a guide number of 120 (in feet, or roughly 36 in meters -- about double the power of your unit), a bounce and swivel head, three auto modes, one manual mode, and the ability to set the output power in manual mode to 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, or full power. It's not a TTL flash, but meters instead from a photodiode in the foot of the flash body. There are two contacts on the foot -- one central contact which fires the flash, and a second contact, offset from center, which communicates with the body, sets the shutter to the correct sync speed, and tells the body when the flash is fully charged and ready to fire. KEH had a used 433D for quite some time for $29 -- this particular unit was modified by the previous owner, and it has a notch cut into the battery door to accommodate a cable from an external battery. They may still have it in stock. Goodwin Photo in San Diego (http://www.goodwinphotoinc.com) had a couple of these at one time for $65 -- about the same price KEH was asking for an intact, unmodified unit. If you need a TTL flash, you may wish to look at the Sunpak 444D multidedicated flash. (Not sure if the ME Super is TTL flash capable or not.) This unit accepts interchangeable modules for use with a variety of camera bodies. BH carries the 444D for about $100 and the dedicated modules for about $33. You can sometimes find a 444D on eBay -- but usually with the wrong module -- for $50 to $75. Used modules on eBay often go for very near the price of a new module from BH, but you can sometimes get a deal. Hope this helps. Bill Peifer Rochester, NY - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Flash to use with ME super
I forgot to say that the Pentax body has to be able to support TTL. I think the earliest body for that was the Super Program. Wasn't it? At least the 433D does have that front mounted thyristor unit for auto flash. It is a nice unit. Another nice unit is the Promaster 5700. Len --- -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Len Paris Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 4:52 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Flash to use with ME super I have a Sunpak 433D for Nikon and it works TTL with my Nikon FA. One really neat thing about the flash is that it has an external power socket on it and Quantum has a cord for it that plugs right into a Quantum Turbo battery. I think yours will work TTL with Pentax if you set the selector switch to the Blue Dot. The settings on this switch for mine are: M, red A, yellow A, Green A, and Blue Dot. The Blue Dot is the TTL setting. However, reading your description of the contacts, there just may be no TTL setting for the Pentax model you have. Take another look and tell me what you see. I have been considering getting a 433D for my Pentax stuff because I like using the Quantum battery for big jobs. Len --- I've got a Sunpak 433D dedicated flash for Pentax bodies, and I really love it. It's got a guide number of 120 (in feet, or roughly 36 in meters -- about double the power of your unit), a bounce and swivel head, three auto modes, one manual mode, and the ability to set the output power in manual mode to 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, or full power. It's not a TTL flash, but meters instead from a photodiode in the foot of the flash body. There are two contacts on the foot -- one central contact which fires the flash, and a second contact, offset from center, which communicates with the body, sets the shutter to the correct sync speed, and tells the body when the flash is fully charged and ready to fire. KEH had a used 433D for quite some time for $29 -- this particular unit was modified by the previous owner, and it has a notch cut into the battery door to accommodate a cable from an external battery. They may still have it in stock. Goodwin Photo in San Diego (http://www.goodwinphotoinc.com) had a couple of these at one time for $65 -- about the same price KEH was asking for an intact, unmodified unit. If you need a TTL flash, you may wish to look at the Sunpak 444D multidedicated flash. (Not sure if the ME Super is TTL flash capable or not.) This unit accepts interchangeable modules for use with a variety of camera bodies. BH carries the 444D for about $100 and the dedicated modules for about $33. You can sometimes find a 444D on eBay -- but usually with the wrong module -- for $50 to $75. Used modules on eBay often go for very near the price of a new module from BH, but you can sometimes get a deal. Hope this helps. Bill Peifer Rochester, NY - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
