PentaxForums.com - View Single Post - Trigger voltages of AF 540FGZ, AF 360FGZ and AF 200FG ???

*SOldBear* · 06-30-2009, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by GerryL

Has anybody ever measured the trigger voltage of these flashes so as it can be a guide as to what trigger voltage is safe for the Pentax DSLRs?

The trigger voltages of recent (and even not-so-recent) Pentax flash units are low, somewhere between 3V and 6V. But that can't be used as a general guide. In other words, trigger voltages higher than 6V don't necessarily damage the camera. Pentax warns against "high voltage" but has never stated how high is too high.

Personally, I have been using flashes with trigger voltages higher than 6V: Metz 45 CT-4 (24V), Sunpak 522 (22V), Vivitar 283 and 3500 (8.4V). So far, my two K10D bodies are still OK. I don't know if there is any bad long term effect.

I also have a few flashes with really high voltages: Metz 45 CT-1 (220V), Sunpak 611 (180V), Vivitar 283 (180V). For each of them I build a little circuit to bring the voltage down to 7.5V (can be less, but I happen to have a bunch of 7.5V Zener diodes around).

06-30-2009, 11:47 PM	#4
SOldBear Site Supporter Location: Alameda, CA Gallery Photos: 0 Posts: 925	Originally Posted by GerryL Has anybody ever measured the trigger voltage of these flashes so as it can be a guide as to what trigger voltage is safe for the Pentax DSLRs? The trigger voltages of recent (and even not-so-recent) Pentax flash units are low, somewhere between 3V and 6V. But that can't be used as a general guide. In other words, trigger voltages higher than 6V don't necessarily damage the camera. Pentax warns against "high voltage" but has never stated how high is too high. Personally, I have been using flashes with trigger voltages higher than 6V: Metz 45 CT-4 (24V), Sunpak 522 (22V), Vivitar 283 and 3500 (8.4V). So far, my two K10D bodies are still OK. I don't know if there is any bad long term effect. I also have a few flashes with really high voltages: Metz 45 CT-1 (220V), Sunpak 611 (180V), Vivitar 283 (180V). For each of them I build a little circuit to bring the voltage down to 7.5V (can be less, but I happen to have a bunch of 7.5V Zener diodes around).