[Mustang]

Greetings,

First off, thank you in advance for any advice that you could give me. My experience with DSLRs is mostly of the outdoor variety, so I could really use some recommendations and advice for a basic (read inexpensive) off-camera flash setup that I can use to get some practice in studio photography. I recently got my hands on an old AF200T flash that I want to mount off-camera. It would be nice to have the latest flashes, but I'm on a budget. This is a hint for how inexpensive I'm looking to be in terms of equipment.

My starter setup will be my camera, and one remote flash. I've already got ideas for things like a softbox, etc.

After reading through this, and other, forums, I still have some questions. I plan on using it with my K100D to practice basic studio shots. Now, I KNOW the AF200T is a TTL flash, and the K100D doesn't support TTL. I'm perfectly OK with using manual flash. My questions have as much to do with compatibility as they do with what my remote flash alternatives are. Here are my questions:

1. The K100D is a lot newer than the flash. Do I need to look for a specific hot shoe adapter and sync cable, or can I use any combination? Any recommendations? The Hot Shoe Adapter F on the Pentax website looks nice, but it's more than I'd want to pay for wired options. I'm looking for alternatives, and probably used.

2. Does anyone know if using a PC to hot shoe adapter would work between my K100D and AF200T? Again, do I need to look for compatibility between flash and camera, or just buy any kind? Is this a good way to go with just one flash? How about two or more flashes?

3. How about wireless options? I've read something about using wireless triggers, would this be a good idea for what I've currently got, with perhaps expansion possibilities (more flash units)? Pocket Wizards would be beautiful, but hey, I don't have that sort of cash. I understand that wireless triggers run around $20-$30.

4. I understand that going wireless is probably easier in terms of expanding from one to two, and even three flashes. Being an older flash, do I need to worry about expansion options with the AF200T? Can I expand just fine with wired options as with wireless? I'm not planning on roaming indoors with my camera, it would be for static display shots.

5. Finally, I would really appreciate any equipment recommendations for both wired and wireless remote flash options. My budget is quite limited, so I'm looking for probably no more than $40-$50 for a one-flash off-camera kit.

Is there anything else I need to be thinking about, besides what I just mentioned? Thank you SO much for any help!