Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

rntwinters · 12-30-2010, 02:00 PM

Just bought A Kx for the family Christmas present (mainly because we have a Pentax K1000 that has served us well, and we have lenses for that SLR as well).

My question is with the external flash, on the K1000 we used a Focal DA-2000 (Multi-Dedicated Automatic Flash Unit). Should we be ale to use this flash on the Kx? Or is it even worth trying?

Thanks in advance

Adam · 12-30-2010, 02:31 PM

It should work, but you'll have to meter manually and sync at 1/60s most likely. Definitely not convenient...but it'll work!

SOldBear · 12-30-2010, 03:15 PM

BEFORE ATTACHING THE FLASH TO THE CAMERA: please check the flash's trigger voltage. Have the flash fully charge, measure the voltage from the center pin of the flash's foot (positive) and one of the contacts on the sides of the flash's foot (ground). If the reading is 6V or less, the flash is definitely safe. If more than 6V, it's "your call." I use 24V as the limit. Do a search for "flash trigger voltage" if you need more info.

Originally posted by Adam

It should work, but you'll have to meter manually and sync at 1/60s most likely. Definitely not convenient...but it'll work!

Uhmmm......

I think it will sync at any speed 1/180 sec and lower. The sync speed is determined by the camera, not by the flash (unless for ancient tungsten flash bulbs).

Also, it looks like in addition to manual, the Focal DA-2000 has auto mode (using the flash's light sensor).

For auto mode:

- Set the flash to 'auto' and the camera to 'M'.

- Set camera shutter speed to 1/180 (X speed) or lower.

- Set ISO on the flash, note the aperture pointed to by the flash (e.g. f/4 at ISO 200, or f/5.6 at ISO 400). On the camera, set the ISO and the aperture to the same values as on the flash.

- Fire some test shots.

Ira · 12-30-2010, 04:30 PM

Adam, MANY older SLR flashes with high voltages can fry the camera and turn it into garbage.

rntwinters · 12-30-2010, 11:39 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Adam, MANY older SLR flashes with high voltages can fry the camera and turn it into garbage.

Thanks, I'll meter the flash to see what the voltage is. I tried to find any info on this flash online but nothing came up on my search. And thanks for the pointers on the settings, if the voltage is safe then I'll play around with it.

Ira · 12-31-2010, 07:04 AM

Also look for your flash(es) on this list here:

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

Surprisingly, some models have widely various voltages from unit to unit, even those manufactured in the same year! So you're smart to test.

rntwinters · 01-01-2011, 12:03 PM

The flash metered out at 11 volts, so from what I've read so far I think it's fairly safe. But like one poster said on another board, why risk a new camera on an old flash.. Just purchase a new one that you know won't harm the camera. Guess I'll check out prices and decide from there. Thanks for all your advice and input.

Ira · 01-01-2011, 01:05 PM

What did that list say?

11v should be totally safe.

Mike Cash · 01-02-2011, 09:07 PM

11v won't hurt a thing. Use it in good health.

Why blow hundreds of dollars on a new flash when you have a perfectly good one right there in your lap?

rntwinters · 01-02-2011, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by Ira

What did that list say?

11v should be totally safe.

I couldn't find the Focal flash on the list.

jolepp · 01-03-2011, 02:48 AM

The trouble is that there is no official figure for a safe trigger voltage, 11 V should be fine though. With modern electronics in general the trouble starts at a few tens of volts. The isolation between the leads and components within the microchips cannot cope; these are tiny, so is the thickness of the isolation between them.

12-30-2010, 02:00 PM	#1
rntwinters New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14	Flash for Kx Just bought A Kx for the family Christmas present (mainly because we have a Pentax K1000 that has served us well, and we have lenses for that SLR as well). My question is with the external flash, on the K1000 we used a Focal DA-2000 (Multi-Dedicated Automatic Flash Unit). Should we be ale to use this flash on the Kx? Or is it even worth trying? Thanks in advance

12-30-2010, 02:31 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	It should work, but you'll have to meter manually and sync at 1/60s most likely. Definitely not convenient...but it'll work! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wireless Flash Triggers for Pentax K20D & 540FGZ Flash?	veezchick	Ask B&H Photo!	2	11-29-2010 04:07 PM
Sigma 530 Super flash doesn't fire multi flash, any advice?	pasipasi	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	11-25-2010 02:04 AM
For Sale - Sold: Metz 48 AF-1 Flash; Pentax off-camera flash cable set (Adapter F, FG (US/UK/CA	bigben91682	Sold Items	4	10-12-2010 04:23 AM
Basic Pentax K-x, hot-shoe, flash, flash bracket, wireless question	MrPetkus	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	5	04-27-2010 10:57 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax AF200S flash, Vivitar 2800 macro flash, Lowepro Lens case 4	Light_Horseman	Sold Items	8	03-06-2010 10:13 AM

12-30-2010, 03:15 PM	#3
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	BEFORE ATTACHING THE FLASH TO THE CAMERA: please check the flash's trigger voltage. Have the flash fully charge, measure the voltage from the center pin of the flash's foot (positive) and one of the contacts on the sides of the flash's foot (ground). If the reading is 6V or less, the flash is definitely safe. If more than 6V, it's "your call." I use 24V as the limit. Do a search for "flash trigger voltage" if you need more info. Originally posted by Adam It should work, but you'll have to meter manually and sync at 1/60s most likely. Definitely not convenient...but it'll work! Uhmmm...... I think it will sync at any speed 1/180 sec and lower. The sync speed is determined by the camera, not by the flash (unless for ancient tungsten flash bulbs). Also, it looks like in addition to manual, the Focal DA-2000 has auto mode (using the flash's light sensor). For auto mode: - Set the flash to 'auto' and the camera to 'M'. - Set camera shutter speed to 1/180 (X speed) or lower. - Set ISO on the flash, note the aperture pointed to by the flash (e.g. f/4 at ISO 200, or f/5.6 at ISO 400). On the camera, set the ISO and the aperture to the same values as on the flash. - Fire some test shots.

12-30-2010, 04:30 PM	#4
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Adam, MANY older SLR flashes with high voltages can fry the camera and turn it into garbage.

12-30-2010, 11:39 PM	#5
rntwinters New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira Adam, MANY older SLR flashes with high voltages can fry the camera and turn it into garbage. Thanks, I'll meter the flash to see what the voltage is. I tried to find any info on this flash online but nothing came up on my search. And thanks for the pointers on the settings, if the voltage is safe then I'll play around with it.

12-31-2010, 07:04 AM	#6
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Also look for your flash(es) on this list here: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages Surprisingly, some models have widely various voltages from unit to unit, even those manufactured in the same year! So you're smart to test.

01-01-2011, 12:03 PM	#7
rntwinters New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14 Original Poster	The flash metered out at 11 volts, so from what I've read so far I think it's fairly safe. But like one poster said on another board, why risk a new camera on an old flash.. Just purchase a new one that you know won't harm the camera. Guess I'll check out prices and decide from there. Thanks for all your advice and input.

01-01-2011, 01:05 PM	#8
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	What did that list say? 11v should be totally safe.

01-02-2011, 09:07 PM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	11v won't hurt a thing. Use it in good health. Why blow hundreds of dollars on a new flash when you have a perfectly good one right there in your lap?

01-02-2011, 11:21 PM	#10
rntwinters New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira What did that list say? 11v should be totally safe. I couldn't find the Focal flash on the list.

01-03-2011, 02:48 AM	#11
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	The trouble is that there is no official figure for a safe trigger voltage, 11 V should be fine though. With modern electronics in general the trouble starts at a few tens of volts. The isolation between the leads and components within the microchips cannot cope; these are tiny, so is the thickness of the isolation between them.

Flash for Kx

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!