Non-Pentax flash on Pentax dSLR: dangers?

kitkat · 05-07-2009, 04:46 AM

I have read that a dSLR can be damaged if a non-same-brand flash is used. Something to do with trigger voltages I believe. Is there any truth to this? If there is, are there any tests that can be performed on a flash to find out if it can be used safely?
...Chris

mattdm · 05-07-2009, 04:54 AM

Yes, that's a possibility, especially with older flashes. Newer flashes designed for Pentax are of course just fine.

You can measure the voltage of a given flash with a standard voltage meter. There's a database of results from people who have done that here: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

kitkat · 05-07-2009, 05:40 AM

Thanks, mattdm, for this excellent reference - I had an old Image CZ65, which is on the no-go list!

res3567 · 05-08-2009, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by NYpHoToGraphEr
Thanks, I don't think I'll buy it and take the risk.
I may just go with the Pentax one.

Get the Wein Safe Sync.

But it cost about $50.

I have two Vivitars and my workhorse is really old.

Bought it of EBAY for $20 with a broken hot shoe.

Bought a metal replacement for $5.

I think $75 for a good proven reliable flash setup a'int that bad.

And then I have the newer one as a backup.

It may have a high trigger voltage or may not.

The Safe Sync takes away that worry.
__________________

My name is Rob
Flickr page Flickr: Photos by Rob's Photostream

I am what you call..... A cool cat!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by res3567; Today at 09:06 AM..

OregonJim · 05-11-2009, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by res3567

Get the Wein Safe Sync.

But it cost about $50.

If you're good with electronics, you can drop the sync voltage of any flash to safe levels with a PNP transistor and a couple of resistors, or an SCR/Triac. This is essentially what the Wein does. Total parts cost is about $1 and you can build it into the flash itself.

SOldBear · 05-11-2009, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by OregonJim

If you're good with electronics, you can drop the sync voltage of any flash to safe levels with a PNP transistor and a couple of resistors, or an SCR/Triac. This is essentially what the Wein does. Total parts cost is about $1 and you can build it into the flash itself.

Not really $1, but much less than $50.

I built one for my Sunpak 611. Here's the thread.

OregonJim · 05-12-2009, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Not really $1, but much less than $50.

Depends on what you already have in your junkbox.

But yeah, even at Radio Shack prices, $10 isn't bad.

Thanks for the link - I figured somebody else must have had the same idea.

05-07-2009, 04:46 AM	#1
kitkat Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kanata, Ontario, Canada Posts: 85	Non-Pentax flash on Pentax dSLR: dangers? I have read that a dSLR can be damaged if a non-same-brand flash is used. Something to do with trigger voltages I believe. Is there any truth to this? If there is, are there any tests that can be performed on a flash to find out if it can be used safely? ...Chris

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05-07-2009, 04:54 AM	#2
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Yes, that's a possibility, especially with older flashes. Newer flashes designed for Pentax are of course just fine. You can measure the voltage of a given flash with a standard voltage meter. There's a database of results from people who have done that here: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

05-07-2009, 05:40 AM	#3
kitkat Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kanata, Ontario, Canada Posts: 85 Original Poster	Thanks, mattdm, for this excellent reference - I had an old Image CZ65, which is on the no-go list!

05-08-2009, 08:07 AM	#4
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Originally Posted by NYpHoToGraphEr Thanks, I don't think I'll buy it and take the risk. I may just go with the Pentax one. Get the Wein Safe Sync. But it cost about $50. I have two Vivitars and my workhorse is really old. Bought it of EBAY for $20 with a broken hot shoe. Bought a metal replacement for $5. I think $75 for a good proven reliable flash setup a'int that bad. And then I have the newer one as a backup. It may have a high trigger voltage or may not. The Safe Sync takes away that worry. __________________ My name is Rob Flickr page Flickr: Photos by Rob's Photostream I am what you call..... A cool cat! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last edited by res3567; Today at 09:06 AM..

05-11-2009, 11:24 AM	#5
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by res3567 Get the Wein Safe Sync. But it cost about $50. If you're good with electronics, you can drop the sync voltage of any flash to safe levels with a PNP transistor and a couple of resistors, or an SCR/Triac. This is essentially what the Wein does. Total parts cost is about $1 and you can build it into the flash itself.

05-11-2009, 03:33 PM	#6
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by OregonJim If you're good with electronics, you can drop the sync voltage of any flash to safe levels with a PNP transistor and a couple of resistors, or an SCR/Triac. This is essentially what the Wein does. Total parts cost is about $1 and you can build it into the flash itself. Not really $1, but much less than $50. I built one for my Sunpak 611. Here's the thread.

05-12-2009, 12:12 AM	#7
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by SOldBear Not really $1, but much less than $50. Depends on what you already have in your junkbox. But yeah, even at Radio Shack prices, $10 isn't bad. Thanks for the link - I figured somebody else must have had the same idea.