Flash in the age of No Flash

Paul the Sunman · 04-26-2015, 01:51 PM

Not that I'm planning to buy one, but the release of the new Pentax K3II without built in flash prompts me to ask about the options for triggering external flash.

Currently, I find the built in flash on my K3 to be a convenient (only) way to trigger my Metz 52 AF-1 off camera. This flash doesn't have an X-sync socket, so can't even be connected directly to the camera by cable. Of course, I could buy a (possibly smaller) flash to mount on the hot shoe to use as a master/controller, but do I really want to carry a second flash around wherever I go? What are my other wireless or wired options, without investing in a whole new system (e.g. Cactus)? Are there external hot shoes that can be used with an X-sync cable or wireless trigger?

AquaDome · 04-26-2015, 02:11 PM

You can buy a sync adapter for about $8.

**jatrax** · 04-26-2015, 04:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Are there external hot shoes that can be used with an X-sync cable or wireless trigger?

Short answer is yes. I used x-sync adapters before I bought wireless triggers. You could use the x-sync port on the camera or buy a hot shoe mounted adapter that has an x-sync port. And a matching adapter for the flash.

But for the cost of wireless triggers I found they were much handier than the wired versions. You can get cheap wireless triggers for less than $50 and good ones like the Cactus for a bit more.

Here are some adapters: PC Sync & Hot Shoe Adapters | B&H Photo Video

---------- Post added 04-26-15 at 04:16 PM ----------

And here are the wireless triggers I use: Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V5 Duo DICFLAWFTV5D B&H Photo

panoguy · 04-26-2015, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

But for the cost of wireless triggers I found they were much handier than the wired versions. You can get cheap wireless triggers for less than $50 and good ones like the Cactus for a bit more.

You can even get not-so-reliable triggers for under $25...

derekkite · 04-26-2015, 05:07 PM

If you want HSS and full PTTL support you can buy the Pentax Off Camera Flash kit that consists of a hot-shoe adapter, a coiled wire and a flash adapter with 1/4 female thread to mount on a stand of some sort.

Or you can get a shoe mount flash that supports master controller mode.

04-26-2015, 01:51 PM	#1
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Flash in the age of No Flash Not that I'm planning to buy one, but the release of the new Pentax K3II without built in flash prompts me to ask about the options for triggering external flash. Currently, I find the built in flash on my K3 to be a convenient (only) way to trigger my Metz 52 AF-1 off camera. This flash doesn't have an X-sync socket, so can't even be connected directly to the camera by cable. Of course, I could buy a (possibly smaller) flash to mount on the hot shoe to use as a master/controller, but do I really want to carry a second flash around wherever I go? What are my other wireless or wired options, without investing in a whole new system (e.g. Cactus)? Are there external hot shoes that can be used with an X-sync cable or wireless trigger?

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04-26-2015, 02:11 PM	#2
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	You can buy a sync adapter for about $8.

04-26-2015, 04:15 PM - 1 Like	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Are there external hot shoes that can be used with an X-sync cable or wireless trigger? Short answer is yes. I used x-sync adapters before I bought wireless triggers. You could use the x-sync port on the camera or buy a hot shoe mounted adapter that has an x-sync port. And a matching adapter for the flash. But for the cost of wireless triggers I found they were much handier than the wired versions. You can get cheap wireless triggers for less than $50 and good ones like the Cactus for a bit more. Here are some adapters: PC Sync & Hot Shoe Adapters \| B&H Photo Video ---------- Post added 04-26-15 at 04:16 PM ---------- And here are the wireless triggers I use: Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V5 Duo DICFLAWFTV5D B&H Photo

04-26-2015, 04:43 PM	#4
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by jatrax But for the cost of wireless triggers I found they were much handier than the wired versions. You can get cheap wireless triggers for less than $50 and good ones like the Cactus for a bit more. You can even get not-so-reliable triggers for under $25...

04-26-2015, 05:07 PM	#5
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	If you want HSS and full PTTL support you can buy the Pentax Off Camera Flash kit that consists of a hot-shoe adapter, a coiled wire and a flash adapter with 1/4 female thread to mount on a stand of some sort. Or you can get a shoe mount flash that supports master controller mode.