Using TTL Auto with Pentax AF280T or Sunpak Auto 444D

[wil_ussery]

I have a Pentax 645 Manual camera and several Sunpak Auto 444D Flashes with the

dedicated PT-2D module. I also have one Pentax AF280T flash. The Pentax flash

will work in TTL mode without any glitches. My question is why doesn't the

Sunpak Flash work in TTL mode with the dedicated PT-2D module?

 

The Sunpak module has the same pin configuration on the bottom as the Pentax

flash. When I place the Pentax flash on the camera, I get the flash icon on the

top of the camera. Nothing happens when I connect the Sunpak to the camera.

[markus maurer]

Hi Wil

I'm only guessing but have you tried setting the lens to a non A-position to see if you get TTL flash then. I had to do that with some Metz flashes/modules combinations. That's why I use the AF280T mostly now despite it's lower power. greetings, Markus

[wil_ussery]

Marcus, I was able to get the flash icon to display on the top window using my Sunpak Flash when the Aperture was in a position other than "A". The time was set to 1/60 in the viewfinder automatically. I'm not sure how this setup gets me TTL with the 645?

[markus maurer]

Hi Wil

if you set the Sunpak flash to TTL and the lens to a non-A aperture position the camera controls the flash output TTL. You simply

loose the automatic aperture setting you get with the Pentax dedicated flashes. Set the aperture to F4 or F8 for a start or just have a look at the distance and set the aperture to that. You will not get a confirmation from the flash for the correct exposure in TTL mode, for test shots you have to switch to an automatic mode.

greetings

Markus