Using the Built-in Flash. Pentax K-X, K Series K-x

Using the Built-in Flash

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Use the following procedures to take pictures in low light or backlit conditions or when you want to use the built-in flash.

The built-in flash is optimum at about 0.7 m to 5 m from the subject.

Exposure will not be properly controlled and vignetting (darkening of the corners of the image due to a lack of light) may occur when used at a distance closer than 0.7 m (this distance varies slightly depending on the

lens being used and the set sensitivity (p.160)).

Compatibility of built-in flash and lens

Vignetting may occur depending on the lens being used and the capture conditions. We recommend taking a test shot to check the compatibility.

1

Lens Compatibility with the Built-in Flash (p.161)

• When using the built-in flash, remove the lens hood before shooting.

• The built-in flash fully discharges for lenses without a function to set aperture lens ring to s (Auto).

3

For details on the built-in flash and instructions on how to take pictures with an

external flash, refer to the “Using the Flash” (p.155).

Setting the Flash Mode

Flash Mode

C

Auto Flash

Discharge b

Manual Flash

Discharge

Function

The camera automatically measures the ambient light and determines whether to use the flash. The flash pops up and discharges automatically when necessary, such as when using a shutter speed likely to cause camera shake or in backlit conditions (except when in s (Landscape), \ (Moving Object) or l (Night Snap) in H (Scene) mode). The flash may pop up but may not discharge if the camera determines that the flash is not necessary.

Discharges the flash manually. Discharges when the flash is popped up, does not discharge when retracted.

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3 i

Flash Mode

Auto Flash+Redeye Reduction

D

Manual Flash+

Red-eye Reduct.

G Slow-speed Sync

H

Slow-speed Sync+

Red-eye

I k r

Trailing Curtain

Sync

Wireless Mode

Function

Discharges a pre-flash for red-eye reduction before the automatic flash.

Discharges the flash manually. A pre-flash for red-eye reduction is discharged before the main flash.

Sets to a slow shutter speed depending on the brightness. For example, when using this to shoot a portrait with the sunset in the background, both the person and the background are captured beautifully.

Discharges a pre-flash for red-eye reduction before the main flash is discharged with Slow-speed Sync.

Discharges the flash immediately before closing the shutter curtain. Captures moving objects as if they are

leaving a trail behind. (p.158)

You can synchronize a dedicated external flash

(AF540FGZ or AF360FGZ) without using a sync cord.

(p.165)

The flash modes that can be selected differ depending on the capture mode.

Capture Mode

I / = / s / q / \ / .

/ H e / K / c b / a

Selectable Flash Mode

C / b / i / D / r

E / F / G / H / I / r

E / F / k / r

1

Press the four-way controller ( 3 ) in Capture mode.

The [Flash Mode] screen appears.

The flash modes that can be selected for the set capture mode appear.

2

Use the four-way controller ( 45 ) to select a flash mode.

Turn the e-dial to perform the flash

exposure compensation. (p.72)

Flash Mode

Auto Flash Discharge

MENU Cancel

0.0

OK OK

3

Press the 4 button.

The camera is ready to take a picture.

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3

Using Auto Flash Discharge Mode C , i

(Automatic Flash Pop-up)

1

Set the mode dial to I , = , q , .

or H .

The flash is deactivated when A (Night Scene), K (Sunset), n (Stage

Lighting), U (Candlelight) or E (Museum) is selected in H (Scene) mode. The built-in flash does not pop up when set to l (Night Snap) in

H (Scene) mode.

2

Press the shutter release button halfway.

The built-in flash pops up if necessary and begins charging. When the flash is fully charged, b appears in the

viewfinder. (p.30)

3

Press the shutter release button fully.

The picture is taken.

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4

Push down on the portion indicated in the illustration to retract the built-in flash.

3

Switch between C (Auto Flash Discharge) and b (Manual Flash Discharge) by pressing the K / i button while the built-in flash is popped up.

Using Manual Flash Discharge Mode b , D

1

Press the K / i button.

The built-in flash pops up and begins charging. The b mode is used regardless of the flash mode settings. When the flash is fully charged, b appears in the

viewfinder. (p.30)

2

Press the shutter release button fully.

The flash discharges and the picture is taken.

3

Push the built-in flash down to retract.

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When the mode dial is set to a (Flash Off), the built-in flash will not pop up even if the K / i button is pressed.

Using red-eye reduction flash

“Red-eye” is the phenomenon where eyes look reddish in photographs taken in dark environments with a flash. This is caused by the reflection of the electronic flash in the retina of the eye.

Red-eye occurs because pupils are dilated in dark environments.

This phenomenon cannot be averted but the following measures can be used to combat it.

• Brighten the surroundings when shooting.

• Set to wide angle and move closer to the subject if a zoom lens is in use.

• Use a flash that supports red-eye reduction.

• Position the flash as far away from the camera as possible when using an external flash.

The red-eye reduction function on this camera reduces red-eye by discharging the flash twice. With the red-eye reduction function, the pre-flash is discharged just before the shutter is released. This reduces pupil dilation. The main flash is then discharged while the pupils are smaller, reducing the red-eye effect.

To use the red-eye reduction function in Picture mode or H (Scene) mode, select D or F . Set to F or H in other modes.

3

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3

Daylight-Sync Shooting

In daylight conditions, the flash will eliminate shadows when a portrait picture is taken with a person’s face cast in shadow. Use of the flash in this way is called Daylight-Sync Shooting. The b (Manual Flash

Discharge) mode is used when shooting with Daylight-Sync

Shooting.

Taking pictures

1 Pop up the built-in flash manually and confirm that the flash mode is set to E

. (p.70)

2 Confirm that the flash is fully charged.

3 Take a picture.

Without Daylight-Sync With Daylight-Sync

The picture may be overexposed if the background is too bright.

Compensating Flash Output

You can change the flash output in a range of –2.0 to +1.0. The following flash compensation values can be set according to the step interval set in

[1. EV Steps] (p.108) of the [

A Custom Setting 1] menu.

Step Interval

1/3 EV

1/2 EV

Flash Compensation Value

–2.0, –1.7, –1.3, –1.0, –0.7, –0.3, 0.0, +0.3, +0.7, +1.0

–2.0, –1.5, –1.0, –0.5, 0.0, +0.5, +1.0

Set the flash compensation value by turning the e-dial in the [Flash Mode] screen.

Pressing the | (Green) button returns the flash exposure compensation to the default value (0.0). (Available only when [Green

Button] is assigned to the | (Green) button in

[Green Button] of the [ A Rec. Mode 4]

menu) (p.179).)

Flash Mode

Manual Flash Discharge

MENU Cancel

+0.3

OK OK

• If the maximum flash output is exceeded when correcting to the plus (+) side, the compensation will not be effective.

• Compensating to the minus (–) side may not affect the image if the subject is too close, the aperture value is small or sensitivity is high.

• The flash compensation is also effective for external flash units which support

P-TTL auto flash mode.

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3

Allowing Shooting while Charging the Flash

You can set the camera to enable shooting while the flash is being charged.

Set [16. Release While Charging] to [On] in

the [ A

Custom Setting 3] menu (p.82).

By default, pictures cannot be taken while the built-in flash is charging.

16.

Release While Charging

1

2

Off

On

Enables shutter release while the built-in flash is charging

MENU Cancel OK OK