6.2 Contrast control
To improve pictorial composition and enhance the
lighting of a scene, Pentax AF cameras offer the
possibility to combine the camera-integrated flash
with an external flash unit (mecablitz) to perform
a contrast control. The camera’s inbuilt flash then
emits one third of the necessary light, while the
remaining two-thirds are supplied by the external
flash unit.
Please observe the maximum possible flash
range (guide number) of the two flash units to
ensure correct operation of contrast control!
The benefits of contrast control, however, can only
be optimally exploited if the external flash unit is
set up at a reasonable distance from the camera-
integrated flash. The following original Pentax
accessories are available for this purpose:
The “sync cable F” combined with the “adapter
foot F” (to hold the external flash unit) and the
“flash shoe adapter FG” (for connection to the
camera). Please refer to the operating instructions
for the individual cameras.
Use of the AF measuring beam of the meca-
blitz is not possible with contrast control.
Activating contrast control
• Continue depressing the “Select” key combina-
tion (= “Mode” key + “Zoom” key) until “Cc”
(contrast control) appears on the LC display.
• Continue depressing the “Zoom” key until “On”
flashes on the LC display.
• The setting becomes immediately effective. The
LC display is returned to its normal state after
approx. 5 seconds.
• “Cc” for contrast control is indicated on the dis-
play in place of the aperture.
When contrast control is used the fastest
possible sync speed is 1/60th sec. and syn-
chronisation is always completed with the
first shutter curtain. There is no contrast con-
trol if the camera-integrated flash is not
popped up or if the TTL flash mode has not
been set on the mecablitz. Synchronisation
is with the first shutter curtain.
Most camera-integrated flashes will only
cover focal lengths of up to 35mm (see oper-
ating instructions for the given camera). If
you are working with a focal length shorter
than 35mm, a flash symbol will flash on the
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Flash techniques
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Técnicas de destello
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