"Flash Learning Not Supported" with Metz 48AF-1 for Pentax

Obin

Hello,

I am trying to set up my Metz 48AF-1 flash with my Cactus V6. I have the latest firmware versions on everything and the flash works fine on my camera. When I try to setup up a new profile the Cactus V6 will flash the Metz 48AF-1 one time and then "Flash Learning Not Supported!" is displayed. It will not go any further. I've tried Manual and TTL modes and no matter how I set the flash up I get that message every time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Obin

Antonio

Hi Obin,

Sorry but only Canon, Nikon and Olympus / Panasonic system flashes can be learned.

For your Metz 48 AF-1, try using another Pentax profile, such as the Metz 52 AF-1.

Good luck!

Obin

I've tried all of the other Pentax profiles as well and they work to trigger the flash but not control the output.

paulster

That seems to be pretty much my experience with Metz flashes on Pentax as well. Fires the flash properly, but isn't setting the power and is sending the wrong zoom level.

I think there's still a gap in functionality for Pentax-compatible flashes, but I'm getting around it by just using manual power setting on the flash itself.

Antonio

If a V6 cannot control the Metz flash power output, that means the flash only supports digital TTL, something the V6 does not support - BUT it's what the V6 II is designed for.

Maybe time for an upgrade? 

paulster

It controls the zoom though, but sets it to the wrong focal length. Shouldn't the flash be exclusively analogue or digital, or is this behaviour expected?

Antonio

Indeed this is expected, because power requires analogue TTL control.

Class A

Sorry but only Canon, Nikon and Olympus / Panasonic system flashes can be learned.

You seem to be talking about the latest firmware for the V6, correct?

I noticed that with the latest version (V2.1.001) I am indeed unable to profile my Metz 58 AF-2 for Pentax.  However, with the previous firmware version (V1.1.019), I still can profile the Metz 58 AF-2.

More relevantly, however, a Pentax user confirmed a long time ago that they successfully profiled the Metz 48 AF-1.

Initially, I thought that it is possible that the latest firmware update for the Metz 48 AF-1 removed the flash's ability to understand the analogue TTL protocol. While that still may be the case, I'd suggest to Obin to try again with the V6 firmware version V1.1.019 (it is not a problem to downgrade; just select "Check for latest firmware" and you'll see older versions as well as the latest one.

Class A

That seems to be pretty much my experience with Metz flashes on Pentax as well. Fires the flash properly, but isn't setting the power and is sending the wrong zoom level.

Power levels are set correctly for my Metz 58 AF-2 by either using the provided profile or using my own. I know there are some Metz flash models that aren't supported but many of them are. A while ago, I maintained a list of profiling successes with the V6 and it includes a number of Metz models (in addition to the four models that are supported out of the box). At least these Metz models have been compatible with older firmware versions, I haven't used V2.1.001 much yet.

Regarding the incorrect zoom levels, this could be an issue with differing assumptions about full-frame vs APS-C. If there is a ~1.5 factor between the zoom level that is set (e.g., 70mm) vs the one you expect (e.g., 50mm) then the probably explanation is that the flash performs an automatic conversion.

On my Metz 58 AF-2, there is a "Zoom Size" option that prevents this conversion from occurring, however the option only becomes available under certain circumstances (when the flash has had communication with a camera or a V6II, for instance).

Class A

It seems like Metz indeed broke analogue TTL compatibility of the Metz 48 AF-1 with their latest firmware update.

Shame.

Antonio

Alas, we must all embrace the digital era?

Not sure if you could downgrade the firmware on the Metz flash?

If not, then you will have to upgrade to the V6 II, which is also digital.