Flash Trigger Voltage Known to Work

Class A · 12-03-2008, 05:15 PM

The maximum voltage safe to be used on Pentax DSLR's seems to be a bit of a mystery. Various sources quote different voltages and to the best of my knowledge there is no official specification by Pentax.

Please answer the poll by selecting the range which fits a flash you have been using with a post *ist Pentax DSLR. As *ist models may have a different tolerance, I'd like to keep this poll confined to the K series.

It might be useful if you could also post the flash model with its voltage. Once we know what voltages are known to work empirically, preferably reporting long-term usage, the list of Strobe Trigger Voltages will be a lot more useful.

Added to avoid misunderstanding: Please do not understand this data gathering exercise as an invitation to play Russian roulette with your valuable equipment. I only want everyone to benefit from the positive experiences users already made in the past. The more long-term your experience the better, as it has been suggested that too high a voltage may not necessarily immediately harm the camera, but may do so in the long run.

Last edited by Class A; 12-04-2008 at 12:56 AM. Reason: Avoid the impression that this is a call for Russian roulette

stevebrot · 12-03-2008, 05:45 PM

There was a posting some time ago regarding a Pentax bulletin on acceptable trigger voltages. If I remember correctly, the maximum was quite low.

The title of this thread/poll is "Flash Trigger Voltage Known to Work".

This is not an area for experimentation!!! Failure (does not work) results in fried electronics that may extend far beyond the flash circuit!!!

Safety dictates avoidance of any unit with a trigger voltage greater than units certified as compatible with your camera. That includes that the vast majority of older flashes, even some that were dedicated to previous Pentax cameras.

Steve

P.S. While I have my disagreements with the Rice guy, his blog article on this subject has good information: http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2007/03/which-flash-units-are-safe-for-pentax.html. Of particular interest are some of the comments regarding burnt out cameras...

Class A · 12-03-2008, 06:26 PM

Steve,

Originally posted by stevebrot

This is not an area for experimentation!!!

Tons of people reportedly have used old flashes on their DSLRs without frying them. If you keep within the limits of what has been empirically verified to work then this is not "experimentation" unless you believe that your personal copy is more sensitive than anyone else's.

To clarify, I'm not asking anyone to slap an old flash on their camera and see whether it explodes. I'm just asking all those happy users out there to let us know what has worked for them so that we get a better picture (how apt

) about what voltages are known not to harm the camera.

Originally posted by stevebrot

Safety dictates avoidance of any unit with a trigger voltage greater than units certified as compatible with your camera.

I'd be more than happy to follow your advice if I knew the "units as compatible with your camera". It is the purpose of this poll to narrow down the scope that users have experienced to be safe.

Originally posted by stevebrot

While I have my disagreements with the Rice guy, his blog article on this subject has good information:

Not really. The 7.8V figure is useful but you can get that from the trigger voltage site linked to above. Check the comments left by visitors. As usual Rice High paints a dark picture. I don't believe that the situation is as bad as he describes and I've found a few members reporting to use flashes that well exceed RH's figures.

stevebrot · 12-03-2008, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by Class A

...empirically verified...

Sounds like experimentation to me.

Quote:

...I'd be more than happy to follow your advice if I knew the "units as compatible with your camera"...

I was sort of hoping that someone with a Pentax or Metz might volunteer the voltage from their units. That would give a good notion of what Pentax thinks is appropriate.

Quote:

...I've found a few members reporting to use flashes that well exceed RH's figures...

I am sure that is true except that there are some flashes that have very high trigger voltages. I have a Vivitar 2600 that dates to the early 1980s that looks and works great. It packs a 140V trigger. Only the good fortune of having read the serious warning in the owner's manual saved me from slipping it onto my Canon G2 when the G2 was new. The warning that came with the Canon was enough to keep me from gathering a little empirical data on the K10D.

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 12-03-2008 at 11:06 PM.

Class A · 12-04-2008, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Sounds like experimentation to me.

The purpose of this thread was not to encourage or kick-off experimentation. The data sampling already happened. Some may have done it because they were brave, other because they exactly knew what they were doing. Anyhow, the experiment has happened.

I'm sorry if the poll came across as enticing people to try their luck. That wasn't my intention. I only want everyone to know the results of this experiment of the past.

Thanks to everyone who has voted already!

Originally posted by stevebrot

I was sort of hoping that someone with a Pentax or Metz might volunteer the voltage from their units. That would give a good notion of what Pentax thinks is appropriate.

The Pentax users I found reporting their voltages of the 360 and 540 all quoted something below 5V. There are old Pentax flashes, which are supposed to be safe to use as well, which go as high as 7.8V.

MPrince · 12-04-2008, 04:13 AM

I never use my flashes on camera. I have a promaster 5250dx with a pentax module and a Nikon sb24. AFAIK, the cactus v2s trigger will not trigger a flash if the trigger voltage is over 12v.

Class A · 12-04-2008, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by MPrince

I never use my flashes on camera.

I agree off-camera is better but what if you just want to bounce off the ceiling indoors hand held?

Originally posted by MPrince

AFAIK, the cactus v2s trigger will not trigger a flash if the trigger voltage is over 12v.

Yes, the V2s version has a maximum triggering voltage via hot shoe of 12V.

The V2 version works between 12-200V.

MPrince · 12-04-2008, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Class A

I agree off-camera is better but what if you just want to bounce off the ceiling indoors hand held?

I either use a voice-activated lightstand, or hold the camera in one hand and the flash in the other. Anything to keep the flash off-axis.

**Lowell Goudge** · 12-04-2008, 05:20 PM

a while back there was a thread aboug trigger voltages, in fact many threads

I posted this one, to caution users to use only a digital volt meter when checking flash trigger voltages.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/155756-post11.html

At this point, I would say <6 volts only because that is only slightly higher than the trigger voltage of my AF500FTZ, and I know my AF500FTZ has not hurt anything on either of my DSLRS.

Gooneybird · 12-07-2008, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

a while back there was a thread aboug trigger voltages, in fact many threads

I posted this one, to caution users to use only a digital volt meter when checking flash trigger voltages.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/155756-post11.html

At this point, I would say <6 volts only because that is only slightly higher than the trigger voltage of my AF500FTZ, and I know my AF500FTZ has not hurt anything on either of my DSLRS.

I agree that it's desirable to not expose the camera (mine is K10D) to above about 6 volts, this may not be exact, but is wise anyhow. I have an old flash unit that measured between 38 and 45 volts at the base, depending on the type of voltmeter used. That is DEFINITELY hazardous to the camera. So, I bought a Wein Safe Sync device to mount on the camera, and can mount the flash onto it, plus can use a cable to connect to externally located flashes from this same Wein unit.

Olin

philbaum · 12-07-2008, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by Class A

I agree off-camera is better but what if you just want to bounce off the ceiling indoors hand held?

Yes, the V2s version has a maximum triggering voltage via hot shoe of 12V.

The V2 version works between 12-200V.

I applaud ClassA for running this poll. I don't think information hurts and the discussion generated by this thread is very helpfu, in my opinion. Its odd though that the percentages currently add up to 111%, new math i guess :-)

Someone asked about Metz: My Metz 48 AF-1 measured by me using a digital meter and came out 4.63 to 4.66 volts in several attempts.

I'm just buying a used pentax 280T and understand it runs 7.8 volts. I'll check it when it arrives, for sure.

I use the GI Cactus wireless gear and agree its limited to 12 volts. I read the Cactus V2s equip was issued to deal with Canon limitations.

thanks, Phil

Class A · 12-07-2008, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by Gooneybird

I have an old flash unit that measured between 38 and 45 volts at the base, depending on the type of voltmeter used. That is DEFINITELY hazardous to the camera.

You are probably right, but how do you know?
Do you know someone who has fried their camera with such a flash?

Perhaps a better poll than this one would have been to ask who had actually killed their camera with a flash and what kind of flash that was. But not too many would have answered that poll (I hope!).

Originally posted by philbaum

I applaud ClassA for running this poll.

Thanks.

Originally posted by philbaum

Its odd though that the percentages currently add up to 111%, new math i guess :-)

I allowed multiple answers per voter since I figured that some have multiple flashes or at least tried multiple flashes.

dave sz · 12-07-2008, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Class A

You are probably right, but how do you know?
Do you know someone who has fried their camera with such a flash?

Perhaps a better poll than this one would have been to ask who had actually killed their camera with a flash and what kind of flash that was. But not too many would have answered that poll (I hope!).

Thanks.

I allowed multiple answers per voter since I figured that some have multiple flashes or at least tried multiple flashes.

Where is this 6v maximum coming from? Monhs ago it was 15 or 20v now it's 6? I've had my vivitar 2500 thyristors for a few months now and they haven't fried my k100d. Both measure in at ~11.89-11.92vdc.

enoxatnep · 12-07-2008, 08:15 PM

I used my Vivitar 283 with 8.5V on a Fuji s602z for 5 years without issue and am now using it on my K20D with no issues and wonderful results.

Class A · 12-07-2008, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by dave sz

Where is this 6v maximum coming from?

I don't think the 6V figure has any significance. Not sure where and why it popped up. Certainly all the new Pentax flashes are below that figure but they are even well below 5V.

Another forum member has used a Vivitar 2500 as well without breaking anything.

Originally posted by enoxatnep

I used my Vivitar 283 with 8.5V on a Fuji s602z for 5 years without issue and am now using it on my K20D with no issues and wonderful results.

That's the kind of success story I was hoping to hear.

Very rarely people seem to manage to get an answer from Pentax staff. But when they do, the answer always is reported to be "<30V".

One forum member's K100D survived >200V a number of times, but that should not be taken as proof that it will survive this on a long term basis.

View Poll Results: Which trigger voltage have you verified to work?
>30V	5	22.73%
25V-30V	2	9.09%
13V-24V	1	4.55%
7.8V-12V	4	18.18%
6V-7.8V	5	22.73%
<6V	12	54.55%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

12-03-2008, 05:15 PM	#1
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Flash Trigger Voltage Known to Work The maximum voltage safe to be used on Pentax DSLR's seems to be a bit of a mystery. Various sources quote different voltages and to the best of my knowledge there is no official specification by Pentax. Please answer the poll by selecting the range which fits a flash you have been using with a post ist Pentax DSLR. As ist models may have a different tolerance, I'd like to keep this poll confined to the K series. It might be useful if you could also post the flash model with its voltage. Once we know what voltages are known to work empirically, preferably reporting long-term usage, the list of Strobe Trigger Voltages will be a lot more useful. Added to avoid misunderstanding: Please do not understand this data gathering exercise as an invitation to play Russian roulette with your valuable equipment. I only want everyone to benefit from the positive experiences users already made in the past. The more long-term your experience the better, as it has been suggested that too high a voltage may not necessarily immediately harm the camera, but may do so in the long run. Last edited by Class A; 12-04-2008 at 12:56 AM. Reason: Avoid the impression that this is a call for Russian roulette

12-03-2008, 05:45 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	There was a posting some time ago regarding a Pentax bulletin on acceptable trigger voltages. If I remember correctly, the maximum was quite low. The title of this thread/poll is "Flash Trigger Voltage Known to Work". This is not an area for experimentation!!! Failure (does not work) results in fried electronics that may extend far beyond the flash circuit!!! Safety dictates avoidance of any unit with a trigger voltage greater than units certified as compatible with your camera. That includes that the vast majority of older flashes, even some that were dedicated to previous Pentax cameras. Steve P.S. While I have my disagreements with the Rice guy, his blog article on this subject has good information: http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2007/03/which-flash-units-are-safe-for-pentax.html. Of particular interest are some of the comments regarding burnt out cameras... Last edited by stevebrot; 12-03-2008 at 05:51 PM.

12-04-2008, 05:20 PM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	a while back there was a thread aboug trigger voltages, in fact many threads I posted this one, to caution users to use only a digital volt meter when checking flash trigger voltages. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/155756-post11.html At this point, I would say <6 volts only because that is only slightly higher than the trigger voltage of my AF500FTZ, and I know my AF500FTZ has not hurt anything on either of my DSLRS. Last edited by Lowell Goudge; 12-04-2008 at 05:27 PM.

12-07-2008, 05:05 PM	#12
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by Gooneybird I have an old flash unit that measured between 38 and 45 volts at the base, depending on the type of voltmeter used. That is DEFINITELY hazardous to the camera. You are probably right, but how do you know? Do you know someone who has fried their camera with such a flash? Perhaps a better poll than this one would have been to ask who had actually killed their camera with a flash and what kind of flash that was. But not too many would have answered that poll (I hope!). Originally posted by philbaum I applaud ClassA for running this poll. Thanks. Originally posted by philbaum Its odd though that the percentages currently add up to 111%, new math i guess :-) I allowed multiple answers per voter since I figured that some have multiple flashes or at least tried multiple flashes. Last edited by Class A; 12-07-2008 at 07:00 PM.

12-03-2008, 06:26 PM	#3
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	Steve, Originally posted by stevebrot This is not an area for experimentation!!! Tons of people reportedly have used old flashes on their DSLRs without frying them. If you keep within the limits of what has been empirically verified to work then this is not "experimentation" unless you believe that your personal copy is more sensitive than anyone else's. To clarify, I'm not asking anyone to slap an old flash on their camera and see whether it explodes. I'm just asking all those happy users out there to let us know what has worked for them so that we get a better picture (how apt ) about what voltages are known not to harm the camera. Originally posted by stevebrot Safety dictates avoidance of any unit with a trigger voltage greater than units certified as compatible with your camera. I'd be more than happy to follow your advice if I knew the "units as compatible with your camera". It is the purpose of this poll to narrow down the scope that users have experienced to be safe. Originally posted by stevebrot While I have my disagreements with the Rice guy, his blog article on this subject has good information: Not really. The 7.8V figure is useful but you can get that from the trigger voltage site linked to above. Check the comments left by visitors. As usual Rice High paints a dark picture. I don't believe that the situation is as bad as he describes and I've found a few members reporting to use flashes that well exceed RH's figures.

12-03-2008, 10:59 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Class A ...empirically verified... Sounds like experimentation to me. Quote: ...I'd be more than happy to follow your advice if I knew the "units as compatible with your camera"... I was sort of hoping that someone with a Pentax or Metz might volunteer the voltage from their units. That would give a good notion of what Pentax thinks is appropriate. Quote: ...I've found a few members reporting to use flashes that well exceed RH's figures... I am sure that is true except that there are some flashes that have very high trigger voltages. I have a Vivitar 2600 that dates to the early 1980s that looks and works great. It packs a 140V trigger. Only the good fortune of having read the serious warning in the owner's manual saved me from slipping it onto my Canon G2 when the G2 was new. The warning that came with the Canon was enough to keep me from gathering a little empirical data on the K10D. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-03-2008 at 11:06 PM.

12-04-2008, 12:49 AM	#5
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Sounds like experimentation to me. The purpose of this thread was not to encourage or kick-off experimentation. The data sampling already happened. Some may have done it because they were brave, other because they exactly knew what they were doing. Anyhow, the experiment has happened. I'm sorry if the poll came across as enticing people to try their luck. That wasn't my intention. I only want everyone to know the results of this experiment of the past. Thanks to everyone who has voted already! Originally posted by stevebrot I was sort of hoping that someone with a Pentax or Metz might volunteer the voltage from their units. That would give a good notion of what Pentax thinks is appropriate. The Pentax users I found reporting their voltages of the 360 and 540 all quoted something below 5V. There are old Pentax flashes, which are supposed to be safe to use as well, which go as high as 7.8V.

12-04-2008, 04:13 AM	#6
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	I never use my flashes on camera. I have a promaster 5250dx with a pentax module and a Nikon sb24. AFAIK, the cactus v2s trigger will not trigger a flash if the trigger voltage is over 12v.

12-04-2008, 03:40 PM	#7
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by MPrince I never use my flashes on camera. I agree off-camera is better but what if you just want to bounce off the ceiling indoors hand held? Originally posted by MPrince AFAIK, the cactus v2s trigger will not trigger a flash if the trigger voltage is over 12v. Yes, the V2s version has a maximum triggering voltage via hot shoe of 12V. The V2 version works between 12-200V.

12-04-2008, 04:04 PM	#8
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Originally posted by Class A I agree off-camera is better but what if you just want to bounce off the ceiling indoors hand held? I either use a voice-activated lightstand, or hold the camera in one hand and the flash in the other. Anything to keep the flash off-axis.

12-07-2008, 02:40 PM	#10
Gooneybird Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florence, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 75	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge a while back there was a thread aboug trigger voltages, in fact many threads I posted this one, to caution users to use only a digital volt meter when checking flash trigger voltages. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/155756-post11.html At this point, I would say <6 volts only because that is only slightly higher than the trigger voltage of my AF500FTZ, and I know my AF500FTZ has not hurt anything on either of my DSLRS. I agree that it's desirable to not expose the camera (mine is K10D) to above about 6 volts, this may not be exact, but is wise anyhow. I have an old flash unit that measured between 38 and 45 volts at the base, depending on the type of voltmeter used. That is DEFINITELY hazardous to the camera. So, I bought a Wein Safe Sync device to mount on the camera, and can mount the flash onto it, plus can use a cable to connect to externally located flashes from this same Wein unit. Olin

12-07-2008, 03:13 PM	#11
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by Class A I agree off-camera is better but what if you just want to bounce off the ceiling indoors hand held? Yes, the V2s version has a maximum triggering voltage via hot shoe of 12V. The V2 version works between 12-200V. I applaud ClassA for running this poll. I don't think information hurts and the discussion generated by this thread is very helpfu, in my opinion. Its odd though that the percentages currently add up to 111%, new math i guess :-) Someone asked about Metz: My Metz 48 AF-1 measured by me using a digital meter and came out 4.63 to 4.66 volts in several attempts. I'm just buying a used pentax 280T and understand it runs 7.8 volts. I'll check it when it arrives, for sure. I use the GI Cactus wireless gear and agree its limited to 12 volts. I read the Cactus V2s equip was issued to deal with Canon limitations. thanks, Phil

12-07-2008, 06:42 PM	#13
dave sz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: carpentersville, IL Posts: 693	Originally posted by Class A You are probably right, but how do you know? Do you know someone who has fried their camera with such a flash? Perhaps a better poll than this one would have been to ask who had actually killed their camera with a flash and what kind of flash that was. But not too many would have answered that poll (I hope!). Thanks. I allowed multiple answers per voter since I figured that some have multiple flashes or at least tried multiple flashes. Where is this 6v maximum coming from? Monhs ago it was 15 or 20v now it's 6? I've had my vivitar 2500 thyristors for a few months now and they haven't fried my k100d. Both measure in at ~11.89-11.92vdc.

12-07-2008, 08:15 PM	#14
enoxatnep Closed Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The edge of nowhere, Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 467	I used my Vivitar 283 with 8.5V on a Fuji s602z for 5 years without issue and am now using it on my K20D with no issues and wonderful results.

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12-07-2008, 08:59 PM	#15
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by dave sz Where is this 6v maximum coming from? I don't think the 6V figure has any significance. Not sure where and why it popped up. Certainly all the new Pentax flashes are below that figure but they are even well below 5V. Another forum member has used a Vivitar 2500 as well without breaking anything. Originally posted by enoxatnep I used my Vivitar 283 with 8.5V on a Fuji s602z for 5 years without issue and am now using it on my K20D with no issues and wonderful results. That's the kind of success story I was hoping to hear. Very rarely people seem to manage to get an answer from Pentax staff. But when they do, the answer always is reported to be "<30V". One forum member's K100D survived >200V a number of times, but that should not be taken as proof that it will survive this on a long term basis.