Using Old Flashes on K200D

Nvs · 02-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Hi,
I've bought a K200D recently.
I have some old flashes like Toshina QCC-10 and I want to know that whether I can use an old flash with my camera.
Anbody ever had such an experiment with an old flash on a Pentax DSLR camera?

djayvo · 02-21-2009, 08:29 PM

All I know is what I have read from this forum. Unless you know the voltage of the flash output to the camera then I wouldn’t use it. Older flashes put out a lot more voltage that’s why I don’t use my vivitar flash on my camera.

maxwell1295 · 02-22-2009, 03:18 AM

You can check here for strobe voltages: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

I've used quite a few old flashed on both the K100D and the K200D. As long as the voltage is safe, have at it! Keep in mind that you will have to shoot in manual mode.

Mike Cash · 02-22-2009, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by djayvo

Older flashes put out a lot more voltage...

That's not a universal one-size-fits-all fact. Not all older flashes have unsafe trigger voltages. I routinely use flashes from the 1980s: National, Pentax, Vivitar.

Quote:

...that’s why I don’t use my vivitar flash on my camera.

If you haven't confirmed the trigger voltage, that is the safest route to take. But I have one old Vivitar which is perfectly safe and another old Vivitar which triggers at over 200 volts and should never be used on digital.

Nvs · 02-22-2009, 06:30 AM

So, what is the safe voltage range for k200D?

djayvo · 02-22-2009, 06:37 AM

Thanks Mike and Maxwell.
I am new to DSLR but checked out if my 285hv would work using this forum as my guide. The conclusion turned out I better check the voltage myself because depending on the year determined the voltage of this flash. I brought the caution up because I didn’t want Nvs just to snap on a flash and start flashing away with dire consequences. I knew someone else would step up to the plate more knowledgeable than I and set Nvs straight. It’s always safe to stay on the side of caution.

Mike Cash · 02-22-2009, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by Nvs

So, what is the safe voltage range for k200D?

That question has been posted a lot and debated a lot. I believe the current consensus is "under 30 volts".

No matter what some online source may say about the voltage of a flash model, it is always best to test each individual flash unit with a digital multimeter just to be sure. Fortunately, the meters are not expensive.

02-21-2009, 03:25 PM	#1
Nvs Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mashhad,Iran Posts: 4	Using Old Flashes on K200D Hi, I've bought a K200D recently. I have some old flashes like Toshina QCC-10 and I want to know that whether I can use an old flash with my camera. Anbody ever had such an experiment with an old flash on a Pentax DSLR camera?

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02-21-2009, 08:29 PM	#2
djayvo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 86	All I know is what I have read from this forum. Unless you know the voltage of the flash output to the camera then I wouldn’t use it. Older flashes put out a lot more voltage that’s why I don’t use my vivitar flash on my camera.

02-22-2009, 03:18 AM	#3
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	You can check here for strobe voltages: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages I've used quite a few old flashed on both the K100D and the K200D. As long as the voltage is safe, have at it! Keep in mind that you will have to shoot in manual mode.

02-22-2009, 04:27 AM	#4
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by djayvo Older flashes put out a lot more voltage... That's not a universal one-size-fits-all fact. Not all older flashes have unsafe trigger voltages. I routinely use flashes from the 1980s: National, Pentax, Vivitar. Quote: ...that’s why I don’t use my vivitar flash on my camera. If you haven't confirmed the trigger voltage, that is the safest route to take. But I have one old Vivitar which is perfectly safe and another old Vivitar which triggers at over 200 volts and should never be used on digital.

02-22-2009, 06:30 AM	#5
Nvs Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mashhad,Iran Posts: 4 Original Poster	So, what is the safe voltage range for k200D?

02-22-2009, 06:37 AM	#6
djayvo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 86	Thanks Mike and Maxwell. I am new to DSLR but checked out if my 285hv would work using this forum as my guide. The conclusion turned out I better check the voltage myself because depending on the year determined the voltage of this flash. I brought the caution up because I didn’t want Nvs just to snap on a flash and start flashing away with dire consequences. I knew someone else would step up to the plate more knowledgeable than I and set Nvs straight. It’s always safe to stay on the side of caution.

02-22-2009, 06:40 AM	#7
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by Nvs So, what is the safe voltage range for k200D? That question has been posted a lot and debated a lot. I believe the current consensus is "under 30 volts". No matter what some online source may say about the voltage of a flash model, it is always best to test each individual flash unit with a digital multimeter just to be sure. Fortunately, the meters are not expensive.