Can I use this old flash on my camera without damaging it?

vmax84 · 01-12-2009, 04:47 AM

Bought this old flash back in 1984. Will it work on my K100D without ruining it? Thank you.

vmax84

JCSullivan · 01-12-2009, 06:25 AM

Check the voltage first.

vmax84 · 01-12-2009, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by JCSullivan

Check the voltage first.

The flash is powered by 4 AA batteries..........is this what you mean?

vmax84

**k0og** · 01-12-2009, 07:17 AM

Vmax84,

I also have two old flash units of similar old technology, and they work fine on my K100D Super. However, as JC said, you should check the voltage first. Some old flashes present high voltage at the hot-shoe terminal which can damage the electronics in the camera. With the flash turned on and charged, ready to fire, use a volt meter to measure the DC voltage between the tip at the bottom of the hot shoe and the contacts in the side slots. Mine measured under 30 volts, so I presumed that was acceptable. If you measure something like 100 volts or more, I would not recommend using it.

Read the K100d Tips & Tricks post at the following thread for more information:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-photography-knowledge-base/37711-k...ps-tricks.html

-Joe-

alohadave · 01-12-2009, 09:03 AM

According to this page: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

it should work fine for voltage.

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-12-2009, 10:13 AM

unless I measured the trigger voltage myself, with a DIGITAL volt meter, that had an input resistance of more than 20 Meg Ohms, I would not trust any-one else's measured results.

I took 2 volt meters to check my sunpak autozoom 3000 flash

see the results in this thread

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

vmax84 · 01-13-2009, 01:36 AM

Thank you very much for the good info.

vmax84

01-12-2009, 04:47 AM	#1
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307	Can I use this old flash on my camera without damaging it? Bought this old flash back in 1984. Will it work on my K100D without ruining it? Thank you. vmax84

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01-12-2009, 06:25 AM	#2
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	Check the voltage first.

01-12-2009, 07:01 AM	#3
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307 Original Poster	Originally posted by JCSullivan Check the voltage first. The flash is powered by 4 AA batteries..........is this what you mean? vmax84

01-12-2009, 07:17 AM	#4
k0og Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rolla, Missouri Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 699	Vmax84, I also have two old flash units of similar old technology, and they work fine on my K100D Super. However, as JC said, you should check the voltage first. Some old flashes present high voltage at the hot-shoe terminal which can damage the electronics in the camera. With the flash turned on and charged, ready to fire, use a volt meter to measure the DC voltage between the tip at the bottom of the hot shoe and the contacts in the side slots. Mine measured under 30 volts, so I presumed that was acceptable. If you measure something like 100 volts or more, I would not recommend using it. Read the K100d Tips & Tricks post at the following thread for more information: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-photography-knowledge-base/37711-k...ps-tricks.html -Joe-

01-12-2009, 09:03 AM	#5
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	According to this page: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages it should work fine for voltage.

01-12-2009, 10:13 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	unless I measured the trigger voltage myself, with a DIGITAL volt meter, that had an input resistance of more than 20 Meg Ohms, I would not trust any-one else's measured results. I took 2 volt meters to check my sunpak autozoom 3000 flash see the results in this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/155756-post11.html

01-13-2009, 01:36 AM	#7
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307 Original Poster	Thank you very much for the good info. vmax84