Simon TSI 224 flash with k-50?

bladerunner6 · 08-01-2015, 06:40 AM

I found this at a garage sale for next to nothing.

I would use it for macro work only with a diffuser.

Is it safe to try?

Thanks.

rawr · 08-01-2015, 04:08 PM

If in doubt, don't use it directly on the hot shoe, but use a pair of radio triggers to fire the flash (one on camera, one on flash). Or mount the flash on an optical slave trigger and fire it via the built-in flash. Or mount the flash on top of a safe-sync flash shoe.

The Cactus v6 trigger can do all of the above. It's a handy bit of kit.

Class A · 08-01-2015, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by rawr

If in doubt, don't use it directly on the hot shoe, but use a pair of radio triggers to fire the flash (one on camera, one on flash). Or mount the flash on an optical slave trigger and fire it via the built-in flash. Or mount the flash on top of a safe-sync flash shoe.

The Cactus v6 trigger can do all of the above. It's a handy bit of kit.

+1

If you have a voltmeter/multimeter you may measure the trigger voltage of the flash yourself. Pentax cameras should handle up to 30V.

bobD · 08-01-2015, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by rawr

If in doubt, don't use it directly on the hot shoe, but use a pair of radio triggers to fire the flash (one on camera, one on flash). .

Do check the specifications on radio triggers as some have limitations on maximum voltage too!
You will save the camera but may kill the trigger...

rawr · 08-01-2015, 10:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bobD

You will save the camera but may kill the trigger...

Triggers can be a lot cheaper than the camera - hence a worthy sacrifice.

I think the best solution for OP is simply buy a modern budget manual flash off eBay for example. Lots of cheap modern Chinese flashes will do the job for not much more $$ than an old thrift store flash. And no need to worry about flash voltages, or futz around with remote triggers etc.

bobD · 08-01-2015, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Triggers can be a lot cheaper than the camera - hence a worthy sacrifice.

I think the best solution for OP is simply buy a modern budget manual flash off eBay for example. Lots of cheap modern Chinese flashes will do the job for not much more $$ than an old thrift store flash. And no need to worry about flash voltages, or futz around with remote triggers etc.

+1

Class A · 08-01-2015, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by bobD

Do check the specifications on radio triggers as some have limitations on maximum voltage too!

Cactus V5/V6 take up to 300V.

Originally posted by rawr

And no need to ... futz around with remote triggers etc.

But how do you get your flash off-camera then?

bobD · 08-01-2015, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Cactus V5/V6 take up to 300V.

Corrr! That's superb...!

---------- Post added 2nd Aug 2015 at 06:57 PM ----------

Originally posted by Class A

But how do you get your flash off-camera then?

Optical trigger from the onboard flash ?

http://www.amazon.com/Seagull-Wireless-Remote-Trigger-Reduction/dp/B004HFV5PS

can be set to ignore preflash....

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/187513-seagul...tructions.html

Class A · 08-02-2015, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by bobD

Optical trigger from the onboard flash ?

Yeah, that's definitely a readily available solution, but rawr was aiming at avoiding to "futz around", and optical triggering is more challenging than radio triggering.

rawr · 08-02-2015, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by Class A

optical triggering is more challenging than radio triggering

Easiest off-camera solution for close in work like macro is, of course, a hot-shoe flash cable. Very simple and reliable.

bladerunner6 · 08-02-2015, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Triggers can be a lot cheaper than the camera - hence a worthy sacrifice.

I think the best solution for OP is simply buy a modern budget manual flash off eBay for example. Lots of cheap modern Chinese flashes will do the job for not much more $$ than an old thrift store flash. And no need to worry about flash voltages, or futz around with remote triggers etc.

I agree, that is probably the best strategy.

**grhazelton** · 08-02-2015, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by Class A

+1

If you have a voltmeter/multimeter you may measure the trigger voltage of the flash yourself. Pentax cameras should handle up to 30V.

I've read that digital volt/ohm meters are the way to go, rather than the analog sort with a needle indicator. Why, I don't know. Fortunately these can be bought for about $20 at Home Despot and other big box stores.

Class A · 08-02-2015, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by grhazelton

I've read that digital volt/ohm meters are the way to go, rather than the analog sort with a needle indicator. Why, I don't know.

If the input impedance -- essentially the internal resistance -- of the voltmeter is too low, it will measure a voltage that is lower than the original value.

Digital voltmeters all have very high input impedence and hence are always reliable. There are many analog meters that will do just fine for this purpose, but one should check their input impedence which should be at least 10MOhm.

**grhazelton** · 08-02-2015, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Class A

If the input impedance -- essentially the internal resistance -- of the voltmeter is too low, it will measure a voltage that is lower than the original value.

Digital voltmeters all have very high input impedence and hence are always reliable. There are many analog meters that will do just fine for this purpose, but one should check their input impedence which should be at least 10MOhm.

Thanks for the clarification!

08-01-2015, 06:40 AM	#1
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Simon TSI 224 flash with k-50? I found this at a garage sale for next to nothing. I would use it for macro work only with a diffuser. Is it safe to try? Thanks.

08-01-2015, 05:55 PM	#3
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by rawr If in doubt, don't use it directly on the hot shoe, but use a pair of radio triggers to fire the flash (one on camera, one on flash). Or mount the flash on an optical slave trigger and fire it via the built-in flash. Or mount the flash on top of a safe-sync flash shoe. The Cactus v6 trigger can do all of the above. It's a handy bit of kit. +1 If you have a voltmeter/multimeter you may measure the trigger voltage of the flash yourself. Pentax cameras should handle up to 30V. Last edited by Class A; 08-01-2015 at 06:05 PM.

08-01-2015, 11:18 PM	#8
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by Class A Cactus V5/V6 take up to 300V. Corrr! That's superb...! ---------- Post added 2nd Aug 2015 at 06:57 PM ---------- Originally posted by Class A But how do you get your flash off-camera then? Optical trigger from the onboard flash ? http://www.amazon.com/Seagull-Wireless-Remote-Trigger-Reduction/dp/B004HFV5PS can be set to ignore preflash.... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/187513-seagul...tructions.html Last edited by bobD; 08-02-2015 at 12:00 AM.

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08-01-2015, 04:08 PM	#2
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	If in doubt, don't use it directly on the hot shoe, but use a pair of radio triggers to fire the flash (one on camera, one on flash). Or mount the flash on an optical slave trigger and fire it via the built-in flash. Or mount the flash on top of a safe-sync flash shoe. The Cactus v6 trigger can do all of the above. It's a handy bit of kit.

08-01-2015, 10:06 PM	#4
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by rawr If in doubt, don't use it directly on the hot shoe, but use a pair of radio triggers to fire the flash (one on camera, one on flash). . Do check the specifications on radio triggers as some have limitations on maximum voltage too! You will save the camera but may kill the trigger...

08-01-2015, 10:26 PM - 1 Like	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by bobD You will save the camera but may kill the trigger... Triggers can be a lot cheaper than the camera - hence a worthy sacrifice. I think the best solution for OP is simply buy a modern budget manual flash off eBay for example. Lots of cheap modern Chinese flashes will do the job for not much more $$ than an old thrift store flash. And no need to worry about flash voltages, or futz around with remote triggers etc.

08-01-2015, 10:37 PM	#6
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by rawr Triggers can be a lot cheaper than the camera - hence a worthy sacrifice. I think the best solution for OP is simply buy a modern budget manual flash off eBay for example. Lots of cheap modern Chinese flashes will do the job for not much more $$ than an old thrift store flash. And no need to worry about flash voltages, or futz around with remote triggers etc. +1

08-01-2015, 10:54 PM	#7
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by bobD Do check the specifications on radio triggers as some have limitations on maximum voltage too! Cactus V5/V6 take up to 300V. Originally posted by rawr And no need to ... futz around with remote triggers etc. But how do you get your flash off-camera then?

08-02-2015, 04:11 AM	#9
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by bobD Optical trigger from the onboard flash ? Yeah, that's definitely a readily available solution, but rawr was aiming at avoiding to "futz around", and optical triggering is more challenging than radio triggering.

08-02-2015, 05:05 AM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Class A optical triggering is more challenging than radio triggering Easiest off-camera solution for close in work like macro is, of course, a hot-shoe flash cable. Very simple and reliable.

08-02-2015, 01:45 PM	#11
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr Triggers can be a lot cheaper than the camera - hence a worthy sacrifice. I think the best solution for OP is simply buy a modern budget manual flash off eBay for example. Lots of cheap modern Chinese flashes will do the job for not much more $$ than an old thrift store flash. And no need to worry about flash voltages, or futz around with remote triggers etc. I agree, that is probably the best strategy.

08-02-2015, 01:54 PM	#12
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by Class A +1 If you have a voltmeter/multimeter you may measure the trigger voltage of the flash yourself. Pentax cameras should handle up to 30V. I've read that digital volt/ohm meters are the way to go, rather than the analog sort with a needle indicator. Why, I don't know. Fortunately these can be bought for about $20 at Home Despot and other big box stores.

08-02-2015, 04:37 PM	#13
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by grhazelton I've read that digital volt/ohm meters are the way to go, rather than the analog sort with a needle indicator. Why, I don't know. If the input impedance -- essentially the internal resistance -- of the voltmeter is too low, it will measure a voltage that is lower than the original value. Digital voltmeters all have very high input impedence and hence are always reliable. There are many analog meters that will do just fine for this purpose, but one should check their input impedence which should be at least 10MOhm.

08-02-2015, 04:44 PM	#14
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by Class A If the input impedance -- essentially the internal resistance -- of the voltmeter is too low, it will measure a voltage that is lower than the original value. Digital voltmeters all have very high input impedence and hence are always reliable. There are many analog meters that will do just fine for this purpose, but one should check their input impedence which should be at least 10MOhm. Thanks for the clarification!