Nikon flash on Pentax

spanky12 · 02-09-2008, 08:05 PM

My daughter was taking pictures of a band, and when a friend saw she was using the cameras built in flash, he gave her his Nikon flash. It worked. I thought you had to use a Pentax specific flash for it to work. Whats the deal?

VF-19 · 02-09-2008, 08:13 PM

It's probably working via the main pin (the one in the center of the shoe) on the flash, in manual mode. Either that, it's actually cross-compatible... But I really doubt that.

Steinback · 02-09-2008, 08:18 PM

In manual mode, most branded flashes should be compatible with most camera bodies. I don't expect the camera and flash were sharing any exposure data, and I've read about a potential for problems with certain combinations of data pins on camera bodies and flashes between different manufacturers, but can't recall any specific examples.

What Pentax camera/ Nikon flash combination was she using?

AKiss20 · 02-10-2008, 12:54 PM

I bought an older Sb-25 for my pentax, did a little surgery and removed the extraneous pins, leaving only the center pin. It might be excessive, but I didn't want the flash shorting my new K10D!! The flash works great in auto-thrystor and manual mode. TTL obviously doesnt work, but I don't care.

praxxis · 02-10-2008, 08:03 PM

i know someone here in the Philippines (he's also a member here) that uses a K100D/Nikon SB28 combination...

CarlCanary · 02-12-2008, 09:43 AM

i use a nikon hot shoe adapter for monolights and it works fine, i dont know why a nikon flash wouldnt.

jshurak · 02-12-2008, 11:59 AM

the extra pins are simply for different flash functions with a Nikon body. I wouldn't stick one on there though....but that's just me.....only if it says 'for pentax' that being said, I do own 3 speedlights for off camera work.

wlachan · 02-12-2008, 12:08 PM

Nikon SB flashes won't short any Pentax bodies because those extra data pins are actually positioned slightly different and won't touch the Pentax data pins at all. Nikon SB shoe is also bigger and thicker.

Photomy · 02-12-2008, 08:12 PM

I bought a couple of used SB28s at a great price and they look new. I have had very good luck except for minor design limitations of the flash itself. I use manual and traditional auto mode. More recently, I started using an inexpensive remote radio signal trigger which I believe eliminates any risk of the extra pins causing a problem for the camera. I will continue to use them until they wear out.

- Photomy

leadbelly · 02-12-2008, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by praxxis

i know someone here in the Philippines (he's also a member here) that uses a K100D/Nikon SB28 combination...

That would be me... and yep, I used my sb28 on my k100d and k10d without any problems... "A" mode works perfectly... though I now have a 540, I still use my nikon flash as back up...

ddhytz · 02-12-2008, 11:45 PM

I also use SB22s on DS in A mode and it produces better results than p-TTL flash.

As Alan said those extra pins don't match Pentax pins.
Their trigger voltages are low so they should not cause damage to your Pentax body. Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

ryan s · 02-13-2008, 12:13 AM

^^beat me to the link...check out what the voltage is before you buy it.

That said, if you don't mind manual modes, lots of flashes will work. I'm thinking of picking up an SB 24, 25, or 26 for a primary/hot shoe flash and something like a Viv 283 for a wireless unit. Fun times

Zewrak · 04-09-2008, 04:03 AM

Anyone know if a SB600 can be used? My sister in law got one and she don't use it, so I was free to put my hands on it.

RBellavance · 04-09-2008, 05:16 AM

I've used an SB800 without problems on my K10D (fully manual, as has been written earlier in this thread), so I don't see why the SB600 wouldn't work as well.

Zewrak · 04-09-2008, 05:23 AM

Righty, what about TTL? Or do i need a radio slave thingie? A bit afraid id fry the camera

But have no problem with using it wireless. Would the flash sync work?