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06-10-2010, 07:01 PM   #1
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Novice Here (Cheap Flash Questions)

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Hi everyone. I'm new here, I just signed up today. I have a Pentax K-X and wanted to get a cheap flash to add to my arsenal. I saw the YinYan BY-18 flash on ebay but it states that it is high voltage and there are some that also state it is low voltage. My question is, will this affect my DSLR if its a high voltage flash and if anyone knows about this flash, can they tell me if its worth getting it seeing that its soooooo cheap? What are the downsides of a high voltage trigger? and what cheap flash do you all recommend?
Thank you all so much.

06-10-2010, 09:44 PM   #2
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Hi, I don't know what the trigger voltage is for this particular flash model but you should indeed be careful with non dedicated flash models. If the trigger voltage is too high, it can damage your camera. I'm sure you can find out what the K-x maximum allowed hotshoe trigger voltage is by going through the manual or googling it, then go from there.

Personally, the only way I would use a non-dedicated flash is off camera by using radio or optical slaves.
06-11-2010, 03:24 AM   #3
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Never heard of yinyan but this site will give you info on the trigger voltages of lots of flashes.

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

Pentax has lots of inexpensive flashes that should be just fine for on camera use.

Pentax Manual Focus Shoe Mount Flashes - KEH.com

http://www.keh.com/search?store=camera&brand=Pentax-Autofocus&category=Shoe-...price=0&r=SE&e
06-11-2010, 06:34 AM   #4
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Original Poster
Thank you all so much for your replies and the link to that website. I appreciate it MUCHO

06-11-2010, 06:43 AM   #5
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Will those AF330FTZ and AF200s work with the K=x DSLR?
06-11-2010, 07:14 AM   #6
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i have a K20D and AF280T flash and it works beautifully.
With bounce and swivel, it's quite versatile for its price.
Exposure is accurate.

these links might help
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/91846-k-x-af280t-how-use.html

Hin's Tech Corner: Pentax AF280T Flash and Pentax K-x
06-16-2010, 10:13 AM   #7
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I use a Sunpak auto 383 super flash with my Pentax K100D camera. I also
also added a Gary Fong Sphere 11 bounce attachment for $39.00, several weeks ago that I like. The Sphere gives you a softer light. I have gotten very nice shots using it.
The Sunpak cost me $81. a few years ago and works great with my cam
but it appears to be discontinued. They have a new model Sunpak 266D TTL
for pentax and Olympus. It is on Amazon For around $70. You might want to call Sunpak and ask them how it compares to the 383 and if it is recommended for your K-X. Freddy

06-16-2010, 10:13 PM   #8
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A Quantaray modular flash and module for Pentax would be my suggestion for a US $30 solution. The reason to want this setup is that the Auto mode of this flash setup works with the camera to automate its use. You set the camera to Tv mode, Set the shutter speed to whatever you want, slow to capture ambient, fast to have all the light come from the flash. With the flash in its auto mode, it will read the shutter speed and ISO from the camera and set the aperture on the camera accordingly. This allows you to control the aperture by controlling the ISO on the camera. The flash has three settings for its auto mode to control where the flash should consider ISO 100 is to be set. If you put it on the lowest setting, ISO 100 is at f2-2.8. The middle setting with have ISO 100 start at f4 and the largest setting will have ISO 100 at f5.6.

The flash swivels and bounces, but has a manual zoom. Guide number is 72 at ISO 100 at its widest zoom. It is a bigger flash, but the shape is flatter so it tucks away nicely.

The flash - QTB-7500A, US $19.38 + free shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/Quantaray-531660678-QTB-7500A-Auto-Flash-Base-without-/3...item5ad2ef5a90

The module - QDA-P, US $9.64 + free shipping
Quantaray 531660819 QDA PAF Flash Module for Pentax - eBay (item 330364251802 end time Jun-27-10 00:26:12 PDT)

If you want a smaller flash unit, and are willing to give up the power and swivel, you can also pick up a QB-6650U for the same $19.36.
QB-6550U Quantaray Dedicated Digital Bounce Flash - eBay (item 330420526259 end time Jul-03-10 00:32:37 PDT)

This flash is also able to be used with the US $50 + shipping, Promaster 5050 DXR P-TTL module to allow the unit to be used in P-TTL.
Promaster 5050DXR Digital Flash Module - fits Pentax - eBay (item 260593942198 end time Jun-27-10 14:24:02 PDT)

Thank you
Russell

Last edited by Russell-Evans; 06-16-2010 at 11:28 PM.
06-20-2010, 04:17 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Russell-Evans Quote
The flash - QTB-7500A, US $19.38 + free shipping
Quantaray 531660678 QTB-7500A Auto Flash Base without - eBay (item 390085958288 end time Jun-21-10 00:25:32 PDT)

The module - QDA-P, US $9.64 + free shipping
Quantaray 531660819 QDA PAF Flash Module for Pentax - eBay (item 330364251802 end time Jun-27-10 00:26:12 PDT)

If you want a smaller flash unit, and are willing to give up the power and swivel, you can also pick up a QB-6650U for the same $19.36.
QB-6550U Quantaray Dedicated Digital Bounce Flash - eBay (item 330420526259 end time Jul-03-10 00:32:37 PDT)

This flash is also able to be used with the US $50 + shipping, Promaster 5050 DXR P-TTL module to allow the unit to be used in P-TTL.
Promaster 5050DXR Digital Flash Module - fits Pentax - eBay (item 260593942198 end time Jun-27-10 14:24:02 PDT)

Thank you
Russell
Russell,

Are you saying that the Promaster module fits the Quantaray flash unit?

Tim
06-21-2010, 02:48 AM   #10
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,553
QuoteOriginally posted by atupdate Quote
Are you saying that the Promaster module fits the Quantaray flash unit?
Yes. It works as is with the Quantaray 6550U, 9550U, and Digital Macrolume. On the Macrolume the 5050DXR can't drop the flash output low enough for close macro work, but works for anything over 18-24 inches. It would work with the Tamron 70-300mm zoom's macro as the minimum focus distance is above 18 inches.

If you are willing the cut the plastic key off the flash, or replace the top plate of the 5050DXR module with the plate off the QDA-P module, the module can be used with all the older Quantaray modular flashes as well. Well, I've tried it the TTL Macrolume and the 9500A, but probably all will work. Flash voltage is under 6V

Thank you
Russell
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