How to sync the flash with camera

fnflying · 05-29-2016, 04:39 PM

I want to use an off camera flash on my K-3II. I want to shoot in manual (camera and flash). What kind of sync cord will I need??

**jatrax** · 05-29-2016, 05:03 PM

Several ways to do this depending on what gear you have and what you want to achieve.

If your flash has a PC sync port that is likely the simplest and cheapest, just buy a PC sync cord of the length you need. Your K-3II has this port on the front left below the GPS button.

A more elegant method is to use radio triggers such as the Cactus v5 or v6. Using these you do not have to worry about tripping over a cable or whether the flash has a PC sync port.

Another method is to use a hotshoe mounted adapter that has a cable or port that is compatible with your flash. Without knowing more about your flash gear that is the best I can do.

**Quartermaster James** · 05-29-2016, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by fnflying

I want to use an off camera flash on my K-3II. I want to shoot in manual (camera and flash). What kind of sync cord will I need??

I think just about any off camera hot shoe cord will give you a manual trigger.
A dedicated cord will give you P-TTL.
And the official Pentax way would be to use Pentax Hot Shoe Adapter F and Pentax F5P 3' Extension Cord for Off-Camera TTL Flash with Pentax Cameras or Pentax F5PL Extension Cord. But, again, not needed if yu don't want P-TTL.

fnflying · 05-29-2016, 05:21 PM

https://photoflex.com/products/starfire-digital-flash

aaacb · 05-29-2016, 05:28 PM

The K-3II requires a male sync chord (the port on the camera is female), and the other end depends on your flash. The one that I have also has a female connector, same as the camera. Works well for me, but most of the time I use a small hotshoe flash to trigger optically.

**jatrax** · 05-29-2016, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by fnflying

https://photoflex.com/products/starfire-digital-flash

You already have this flash? If so, as best I can tell from the pictures and specs there are no ports so you need a hot shoe based trigger. If you want to stay with a wired solution you need something like this: Impact SCS-MPC PC Male to Hot Shoe Sync Cord (12") SCS-MPC
plus an extension cord to reach whatever distance you need.

If you don't already have the flash you might look at other alternatives which do have a external trigger port.

Personally I would go with a radio trigger solution. Probably more money but in the long run a better answer IMHO. I started out with cables and had a whole collection of rigged together things to make my system work. Things are much simpler now with a set of radio triggers.

Angel Perez · 05-29-2016, 08:25 PM

I have been using the Yongnuo 560 IV flash and the 560 TX transmitter. It is the best bang for the buck especially if you are going to be shooting manual flash. As you add more flashes the transmitter allows you to change the power and zoom from the camera. The flashe units are also transmitters and receivers but you would need a flash as a commander. Now if you already have a flash, they also have a 603 radio triggers which are cheaper, but I have never used them
I have used the Wansen radio triggers which are very inexpensive. You will have to change your power settings by physically walking to your flash units. They work great but one died on me after 2 years and the second one I bought had a weak contact and I would have to play around with it to fire. So the short is it can be inconsistent but it's an unbeatable price. I used them with my Yongnuo and Oly flashes until I sprung $40 for the 460 TX. A nice thing about the Wansen is you can shoot mixed brands. It doesn't care it is a radio trigger. If yo7 have mixed with Yongnuos you will need to use a 603. If for some reason you think you will need high speed sync you will need to invest in something else.

fnflying · 05-30-2016, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

You already have this flash? If so, as best I can tell from the pictures and specs there are no ports so you need a hot shoe based trigger. If you want to stay with a wired solution you need something like this: Impact SCS-MPC PC Male to Hot Shoe Sync Cord (12") SCS-MPC
plus an extension cord to reach whatever distance you need.

If you don't already have the flash you might look at other alternatives which do have a external trigger port.

Personally I would go with a radio trigger solution. Probably more money but in the long run a better answer IMHO. I started out with cables and had a whole collection of rigged together things to make my system work. Things are much simpler now with a set of radio triggers.

I agree, but I already have these flashes. Using the camera hand-held (walking around) with a flash bracket...all in manual mode. would this work even though not shooting P-TTL...Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Pentax Cameras (3')???

thanks for all your help everyone!

**clackers** · 05-30-2016, 05:34 AM - **1 Like**

If it works on the hotshoe, it'll work on that cable.

05-29-2016, 04:39 PM	#1
fnflying Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 54	How to sync the flash with camera I want to use an off camera flash on my K-3II. I want to shoot in manual (camera and flash). What kind of sync cord will I need??

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05-29-2016, 05:03 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Several ways to do this depending on what gear you have and what you want to achieve. If your flash has a PC sync port that is likely the simplest and cheapest, just buy a PC sync cord of the length you need. Your K-3II has this port on the front left below the GPS button. A more elegant method is to use radio triggers such as the Cactus v5 or v6. Using these you do not have to worry about tripping over a cable or whether the flash has a PC sync port. Another method is to use a hotshoe mounted adapter that has a cable or port that is compatible with your flash. Without knowing more about your flash gear that is the best I can do.

05-29-2016, 05:20 PM	#3
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Originally posted by fnflying I want to use an off camera flash on my K-3II. I want to shoot in manual (camera and flash). What kind of sync cord will I need?? I think just about any off camera hot shoe cord will give you a manual trigger. A dedicated cord will give you P-TTL. And the official Pentax way would be to use Pentax Hot Shoe Adapter F and Pentax F5P 3' Extension Cord for Off-Camera TTL Flash with Pentax Cameras or Pentax F5PL Extension Cord. But, again, not needed if yu don't want P-TTL.

05-29-2016, 05:21 PM	#4
fnflying Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 54 Original Poster	https://photoflex.com/products/starfire-digital-flash

05-29-2016, 05:28 PM	#5
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	The K-3II requires a male sync chord (the port on the camera is female), and the other end depends on your flash. The one that I have also has a female connector, same as the camera. Works well for me, but most of the time I use a small hotshoe flash to trigger optically.

05-29-2016, 05:41 PM	#6
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by fnflying https://photoflex.com/products/starfire-digital-flash You already have this flash? If so, as best I can tell from the pictures and specs there are no ports so you need a hot shoe based trigger. If you want to stay with a wired solution you need something like this: Impact SCS-MPC PC Male to Hot Shoe Sync Cord (12") SCS-MPC plus an extension cord to reach whatever distance you need. If you don't already have the flash you might look at other alternatives which do have a external trigger port. Personally I would go with a radio trigger solution. Probably more money but in the long run a better answer IMHO. I started out with cables and had a whole collection of rigged together things to make my system work. Things are much simpler now with a set of radio triggers.

05-29-2016, 08:25 PM	#7
Angel Perez Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 158	I have been using the Yongnuo 560 IV flash and the 560 TX transmitter. It is the best bang for the buck especially if you are going to be shooting manual flash. As you add more flashes the transmitter allows you to change the power and zoom from the camera. The flashe units are also transmitters and receivers but you would need a flash as a commander. Now if you already have a flash, they also have a 603 radio triggers which are cheaper, but I have never used them I have used the Wansen radio triggers which are very inexpensive. You will have to change your power settings by physically walking to your flash units. They work great but one died on me after 2 years and the second one I bought had a weak contact and I would have to play around with it to fire. So the short is it can be inconsistent but it's an unbeatable price. I used them with my Yongnuo and Oly flashes until I sprung $40 for the 460 TX. A nice thing about the Wansen is you can shoot mixed brands. It doesn't care it is a radio trigger. If yo7 have mixed with Yongnuos you will need to use a 603. If for some reason you think you will need high speed sync you will need to invest in something else.

05-30-2016, 05:24 AM	#8
fnflying Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax You already have this flash? If so, as best I can tell from the pictures and specs there are no ports so you need a hot shoe based trigger. If you want to stay with a wired solution you need something like this: Impact SCS-MPC PC Male to Hot Shoe Sync Cord (12") SCS-MPC plus an extension cord to reach whatever distance you need. If you don't already have the flash you might look at other alternatives which do have a external trigger port. Personally I would go with a radio trigger solution. Probably more money but in the long run a better answer IMHO. I started out with cables and had a whole collection of rigged together things to make my system work. Things are much simpler now with a set of radio triggers. I agree, but I already have these flashes. Using the camera hand-held (walking around) with a flash bracket...all in manual mode. would this work even though not shooting P-TTL...Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Pentax Cameras (3')??? thanks for all your help everyone!

05-30-2016, 05:34 AM - 1 Like	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	If it works on the hotshoe, it'll work on that cable.