Speed light

<p>Any recommendations for speed light? I really need at least HSS feature with wireless controlling system for Pentax camera. </p>

<p>Both Cactus RF60 and Godox V850 looks nice but not sure if those flashes support HSS. </p>

<p>Well, I want to start shooting portrait at outside with one speed light + light modifier. I can't just shoot portrait in ambient light condition especially in sunny day. </p>

<p>So because of that, I need one speed light with HSS and high GN within $200. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>For what it's worth, the older AF-540FGZ and AF-360FGZ models can be bought used within that budget. At the very least, compatibility is more or less assured, especially when considering more advanced P-TTL features like HSS and P-TTL wireless.</p>

<p>There's a pretty good <a href="http://pttl.mattdm.org/">P-TTL info page here</a> though starting to become a bit outdated.</p>

<p>Andrew/ It's quite shame that Pentax still having lack of flash system like Canon and Nikon have... Older versions looks nice but I need a wireless transmitter together.</p>

<p>I was referring to Pentax's own P-TTL optical wireless. The better Pentax bodies can trigger these with the RTF (on-board flash) as trigger. Do you mean radio triggers?<br>

<br />I've only read about these a little recently but the latest Cactus V6 II triggers claim to support HSS with Pentax and even other makers flashes, they have profiles for a bunch of third-party flashes too. If this sounds like something you're interested in, I'd probably start looking at that compatibility list. </p>

<p>There is some note on compatibility with Pentax HSS but (you'd probably want to confirm this) my interpretation is that you can only use Pentax flashgun HSS with Pentax bodies; put another way, Pentax flashgun will probably NOT HSS with non-Pentax bodies. I suspect that non-Pentax flashes with HSS capability may still HSS with the trigger on Pentax bodies.</p>

<p>It sounds like Cactus RF60 might support HSS when used with their V6 II trigger. I have a suspicion that when using the triggers (quite likely with the Pentax flashgun as well) you get manual HSS but not P-TTL automatic exposure. It looks like the trigger has a TTL pass-through shoe so you'd get the autoexposure (probably only with flashguns that would normally give you P-TTL autoexposure, such as Pentax units but not Cactus RF60) when the flash is mounted on-trigger-on-camera but not when triggered wirelessly.<br>

<br />I suspect that for you with what you're describing, manual exposure would be fine. There's a good chance you can find someone on Pentaxforums who has tried HSS with these triggers first-hand.</p>

<p>So there are no other way to use HSS for third party flashes?</p>

<p>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Godox-XT32C-HSS-Flash-Trigger-Transmitter-with-XTR-16S-Receiver-for-Canon-S9P9-/381668903927?hash=item58dd3d4bf7:g:7NcAAOSwuhhXXnxR</p>

<p>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Godox-VING-V850II-2-4G-HSS-Li-ion-Speedlite-Flash-for-Canon-Nikon-Pentax-/122026379814?hash=item1c6956ca26:g:-1oAAOSwMNxXbnG1</p>

<p>Any thought about these combinations?</p>

<p>I have two Cactus RF60s and two V6 Transceivers (one for the camera and on for the AF360FGZ). The simplicity, ease of use and control of the Cactus system is amazing. The original V6 does not support HSS. The new V6II Transceivers are only entering the market now. I will pick one up because it supports HSS with the RF60s - I will also need to update the firmware on the RF60s.<br>

Here is an interesting clip from a FlashHavoc article:<br>

"Cactus also have their own <a href="http://flashhavoc.com/cactus-rf60-flash-now-available/" target="_blank">RF60 speedlites</a> with V6 II compatible radio receiver built inside. And the RF60 can now provide HSS and Power Sync via the V6 II and V6 IIs transmitters. (Previously sold RF60 may require a user enabled firmware update)."</p>

<p>You can capture some pretty amazing portraits with 3 flashguns and a couple of modifiers. Using multiple flashes is new to me. Here is one of my first attempts...</p><div></div>

<p>So RF60 itself needs V6ii for HSS feature? </p>

<p>Looks like a firmware update may be required for Cactus RF60 to use HSS with V6 ii, possibly new purchases already have it.</p>

<p>The Godox kit might work, it looks a little cheaper to buy (more like $200 for a transceiver + flash rather than ~$250 for the cactus). Not sure whether the Li-ion batteries for the Godox are a net win or not (Cactus is using AA's). The transceiver you linked was a Canon version, I think. Looking at <a href="http://www.godox.com/EN/Products.html">godox.com</a> it appears they offer a 'generic' version with single contact for brands other than Canon/Nikon/Sony. Not sure how much functionality you lose, I'd be inclined to download & check the manuals thoroughly, possibly look for someone with first-hand experience using Pentax with these, maybe try to contact Godox sales, etc.</p>

 

<p>Andrew/ I figured out that Godox system does not support anything for Pentax cameras at all. I found that Adorama Flash Point transmitter provide what I need it but I just want to know if that transmitter works with any other wireless speed light without a receiver or not. If it does, I would go for Cactus RF60 or Bolt VS-570P. </p>