Flash sync cord for Pentax Autorobo flash?

**OldChE** · 05-02-2019, 08:38 PM

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I just got an Autorobo unit in great condition and working, with the vinyl case. According to the manual that I found online, the unit originally had an accessory sync cord that you could use for camera models without a hot shoe. I'd like to get this cord, so I can use the unit on my Spotmatic. Does anyone have a cord, or at least can post a picture of what it looks like? I imagine one end is a standard male PC plug, but the other end probably has two posts, one post being a round pin and the other a flat prong, judging by the two holes in the shoe of the flash. I've never seen a cord like that, and can't find any online. Thanks!

**OldChE** · 05-02-2019, 10:11 PM

Here is a pic of the flash with my K1000, and a close up of where I believe the sync cord would plug in.

**gofour3** · 05-03-2019, 09:32 AM

I have the Autorobo flash and sync cable you need.

One end (camera) has the regular x-sync plug and the other end (flash) has a two prong connection. One prong is round and the other is flat and angled. Not sure what the flash end is called?

Phil.

**OldChE** · 05-03-2019, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

I have the Autorobo flash and sync cable you need.

One end (camera) has the regular x-sync plug and the other end (flash) has a two prong connection. One prong is round and the other is flat and angled. Not sure what the flash end is called?

Phil.

That's great. Are you interested in selling it? Or if not, could you post close up pictures and maybe make some measurements of the proprietary plug end? Perhaps I can manufacture an adapter for myself if I can't find one. Thanks!

**gofour3** · 05-03-2019, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by OldChE

That's great. Are you interested in selling it? Or if not, could you post close up pictures and maybe make some measurements of the proprietary plug end? Perhaps I can manufacture an adapter for myself if I can't find one. Thanks!

Here we go, the pins are 1/2 inch long.

Phil.

**OldChE** · 05-03-2019, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

Here we go, the pins are 1/2 inch long.

Phil.

Great! That will probably do, I can measure how far apart the holes are for the separation between the pins. If you could measure the thickness of the pins that would be good as well, otherwise I'll just assume they are a wee bit smaller than the holes in the case. Thanks very much. If I can find pins that will fit the holes, I can try soldering them to the wires stripped off from an inexpensive PC cord, and maybe 3D print a plug head to mount the pins. Unless I can find somebody that has a cord for sale. Unfortunately, I've looked at other "proprietary" sync cable designs out there, and haven't found any others that resemble this one used by Asahi.

Thanks again.

**gofour3** · 05-03-2019, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by OldChE

Great! That will probably do, I can measure how far apart the holes are for the separation between the pins. If you could measure the thickness of the pins that would be good as well, otherwise I'll just assume they are a wee bit smaller than the holes in the case. Thanks very much. If I can find pins that will fit the holes, I can try soldering them to the wires stripped off from an inexpensive PC cord, and maybe 3D print a plug head to mount the pins. Unless I can find somebody that has a cord for sale. Unfortunately, I've looked at other "proprietary" sync cable designs out there, and haven't found any others that resemble this one used by Asahi.

Thanks again.

The flat pin is 4mm wide and the round one is about 2mm.

Phil.

---------- Post added 03-05-19 at 22:21 ----------

Found one on eBay:

PC Male to Special Connector 11-3/4" Black Flash Sync Cord Cable | eBay

Phil.

**OldChE** · 05-05-2019, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

The flat pin is 4mm wide and the round one is about 2mm.

Phil.

---------- Post added 03-05-19 at 22:21 ----------

Found one on eBay:

PC Male to Special Connector 11-3/4" Black Flash Sync Cord Cable | eBay

Phil.

Phil - Great! I ordered the one you found on Ebay, it looks identical to yours. Thanks so much! I looked yesterday through what seemed like hundreds of sync cords on ebay and didn't see this one. The vendor actually had two of them.

**gofour3** · 05-05-2019, 07:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by OldChE

Phil - Great! I ordered the one you found on Ebay, it looks identical to yours. Thanks so much! I looked yesterday through what seemed like hundreds of sync cords on ebay and didn't see this one. The vendor actually had two of them.

Good news, hope it works out!

Phil.

05-02-2019, 08:38 PM	#1
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	Flash sync cord for Pentax Autorobo flash? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I just got an Autorobo unit in great condition and working, with the vinyl case. According to the manual that I found online, the unit originally had an accessory sync cord that you could use for camera models without a hot shoe. I'd like to get this cord, so I can use the unit on my Spotmatic. Does anyone have a cord, or at least can post a picture of what it looks like? I imagine one end is a standard male PC plug, but the other end probably has two posts, one post being a round pin and the other a flat prong, judging by the two holes in the shoe of the flash. I've never seen a cord like that, and can't find any online. Thanks!

05-03-2019, 09:32 AM	#3
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	I have the Autorobo flash and sync cable you need. One end (camera) has the regular x-sync plug and the other end (flash) has a two prong connection. One prong is round and the other is flat and angled. Not sure what the flash end is called? Phil. Attached Images Last edited by gofour3; 05-03-2019 at 09:45 AM. Reason: Deleted line.

05-03-2019, 08:30 PM	#5
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by OldChE That's great. Are you interested in selling it? Or if not, could you post close up pictures and maybe make some measurements of the proprietary plug end? Perhaps I can manufacture an adapter for myself if I can't find one. Thanks! Here we go, the pins are 1/2 inch long. Phil. Attached Images

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05-03-2019, 03:08 PM	#4
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by gofour3 I have the Autorobo flash and sync cable you need. One end (camera) has the regular x-sync plug and the other end (flash) has a two prong connection. One prong is round and the other is flat and angled. Not sure what the flash end is called? Phil. That's great. Are you interested in selling it? Or if not, could you post close up pictures and maybe make some measurements of the proprietary plug end? Perhaps I can manufacture an adapter for myself if I can't find one. Thanks!

05-03-2019, 09:36 PM	#6
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by gofour3 Here we go, the pins are 1/2 inch long. Phil. Great! That will probably do, I can measure how far apart the holes are for the separation between the pins. If you could measure the thickness of the pins that would be good as well, otherwise I'll just assume they are a wee bit smaller than the holes in the case. Thanks very much. If I can find pins that will fit the holes, I can try soldering them to the wires stripped off from an inexpensive PC cord, and maybe 3D print a plug head to mount the pins. Unless I can find somebody that has a cord for sale. Unfortunately, I've looked at other "proprietary" sync cable designs out there, and haven't found any others that resemble this one used by Asahi. Thanks again.

05-03-2019, 10:10 PM	#7
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by OldChE Great! That will probably do, I can measure how far apart the holes are for the separation between the pins. If you could measure the thickness of the pins that would be good as well, otherwise I'll just assume they are a wee bit smaller than the holes in the case. Thanks very much. If I can find pins that will fit the holes, I can try soldering them to the wires stripped off from an inexpensive PC cord, and maybe 3D print a plug head to mount the pins. Unless I can find somebody that has a cord for sale. Unfortunately, I've looked at other "proprietary" sync cable designs out there, and haven't found any others that resemble this one used by Asahi. Thanks again. The flat pin is 4mm wide and the round one is about 2mm. Phil. ---------- Post added 03-05-19 at 22:21 ---------- Found one on eBay: PC Male to Special Connector 11-3/4" Black Flash Sync Cord Cable \| eBay Phil.

05-05-2019, 05:30 PM	#8
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by gofour3 The flat pin is 4mm wide and the round one is about 2mm. Phil. ---------- Post added 03-05-19 at 22:21 ---------- Found one on eBay: PC Male to Special Connector 11-3/4" Black Flash Sync Cord Cable \| eBay Phil. Phil - Great! I ordered the one you found on Ebay, it looks identical to yours. Thanks so much! I looked yesterday through what seemed like hundreds of sync cords on ebay and didn't see this one. The vendor actually had two of them.

05-05-2019, 07:36 PM - 1 Like	#9
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by OldChE Phil - Great! I ordered the one you found on Ebay, it looks identical to yours. Thanks so much! I looked yesterday through what seemed like hundreds of sync cords on ebay and didn't see this one. The vendor actually had two of them. Good news, hope it works out! Phil.