Modern flashes on older Pentax cameras

pathdoc · 02-06-2016, 12:56 PM

I know that much is made of the dangers of putting older flashes on DSLRs in case the electronics sizzle, but what about the other way around? For example, has anyone played around with an AF540-FGZII on an ME or MX?

I realise of course that one would be reduced to the bare bones of manual operation, but are there any dangers in this approach?

08amczb · 02-06-2016, 01:26 PM

I've used my Metz 44 af-1 on a Zenit. It's worked and everything is ok. (The Zenit only has the middle pin.)

Ray-uk · 02-06-2016, 01:28 PM

In theory there shouldn't be a problem with modern flash on old body because the camera only has a simple mechanical switch which joins the centre pin to ground in order to fire the flash, BUT there may be a physical problem with an old type flash shoe that could short out the additional pins of a modern flash. Some flashguns have a built in protection to prevent this sort of damage but you can't take it for granted that yours has this.

I kow there is at least one Sigma flashgun that is made to be Canon compatible and will not trigger using the normal centre contact so I daresay there may be more.

The best way is probably to use one of the many RF remote flash triggers then you are guaranteed to be safe.

Ray

**mattt** · 02-06-2016, 01:41 PM

I do it all the time.... A mode makes life easy

I have used Af 540 FGZ on K1000 and ME Super with fine results (remember the slow sync when doing so).

mcgregni · 02-06-2016, 03:31 PM

Unfortunately both A Mode and TTL are not available on the latest AF-360/540FGZII, so these latest models would be reduced to manual working only I guess.

narual · 02-06-2016, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by mcgregni

Unfortunately both A Mode and TTL are not available on the latest AF-360/540FGZII, so these latest models would be reduced to manual working only I guess.

Not only manual, at least on some of the newer film bodies. My ZX-L supports P-TTL, I'm sure some of the other ones do as well.

awaldram · 02-08-2016, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by narual

Not only manual, at least on some of the newer film bodies. My ZX-L supports P-TTL, I'm sure some of the other ones do as well.

Only the Mz-6(zx-l) and the mz-s supported P-ttl

pathdoc · 02-08-2016, 06:04 PM

We're not talking anything more sophisticated than an ME or MX here, occasionally a P3 or P30T. I may even try it on my Spotmatic.

02-06-2016, 12:56 PM	#1
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Modern flashes on older Pentax cameras I know that much is made of the dangers of putting older flashes on DSLRs in case the electronics sizzle, but what about the other way around? For example, has anyone played around with an AF540-FGZII on an ME or MX? I realise of course that one would be reduced to the bare bones of manual operation, but are there any dangers in this approach?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K100D + Older Flashes	Yael	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	07-04-2014 10:22 AM
Older Pentax flashes on K10D	Carell	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	2	09-03-2011 05:50 AM
AF400FTZ auto-focus assist on modern cameras	sawtooth235	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	2	08-14-2011 05:38 AM
Pentax 645 lens on modern cameras	TroopeR_ITA	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	10-18-2009 11:32 PM
K10D with older Pentax flashes.	peted	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	11-29-2006 06:03 AM

02-06-2016, 01:26 PM	#2
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	I've used my Metz 44 af-1 on a Zenit. It's worked and everything is ok. (The Zenit only has the middle pin.)

02-06-2016, 01:28 PM	#3
Ray-uk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kent Photos: Gallery Posts: 159	In theory there shouldn't be a problem with modern flash on old body because the camera only has a simple mechanical switch which joins the centre pin to ground in order to fire the flash, BUT there may be a physical problem with an old type flash shoe that could short out the additional pins of a modern flash. Some flashguns have a built in protection to prevent this sort of damage but you can't take it for granted that yours has this. I kow there is at least one Sigma flashgun that is made to be Canon compatible and will not trigger using the normal centre contact so I daresay there may be more. The best way is probably to use one of the many RF remote flash triggers then you are guaranteed to be safe. Ray

02-06-2016, 01:41 PM	#4
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	I do it all the time.... A mode makes life easy I have used Af 540 FGZ on K1000 and ME Super with fine results (remember the slow sync when doing so).

02-06-2016, 03:31 PM	#5
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Unfortunately both A Mode and TTL are not available on the latest AF-360/540FGZII, so these latest models would be reduced to manual working only I guess.

02-06-2016, 05:26 PM	#6
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by mcgregni Unfortunately both A Mode and TTL are not available on the latest AF-360/540FGZII, so these latest models would be reduced to manual working only I guess. Not only manual, at least on some of the newer film bodies. My ZX-L supports P-TTL, I'm sure some of the other ones do as well.

02-08-2016, 12:18 AM	#7
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by narual Not only manual, at least on some of the newer film bodies. My ZX-L supports P-TTL, I'm sure some of the other ones do as well. Only the Mz-6(zx-l) and the mz-s supported P-ttl

02-08-2016, 06:04 PM	#8
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381 Original Poster	We're not talking anything more sophisticated than an ME or MX here, occasionally a P3 or P30T. I may even try it on my Spotmatic.