Can I use my Canon flash with a Pentax K1 Mk II?

**mikeac** · 04-09-2018, 04:30 PM

I am planning to upgrade from my Canon 60D to the K1 MkII. I have a Canon 430EXII Speedlite and I was wondering if I will be able to use it with the K1. If so, will there be any limitations in it's operation?

lesmore49 · 04-09-2018, 05:20 PM

I also have a Canon 430 flash. I use it on my Canon G 12. Would I use it on my K1 ? Nope.

It might work ok with no issues, but who really knows, until you try it. I have a Pentax 360 flash that works well with my Pentax gear, including my K1. I usually use it with my Rogue Flash Bender.

Why take a chance is my view. You will have a very fine camera in your K1, Mk. ll. The cost of the Pentax 360 flash compared to the cost of a new K1 Mk.ll is not much...I would just buy a Pentax 360 or 580. You can probably get a good deal on a used unit through this forum's buy and sell.

**jatrax** · 04-09-2018, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by mikeac

Canon 430EXII Speedlite and I was wondering if I will be able to use it with the K1

No reason why not. I use a Nikon SB-26 flash on mine all the time. However, it will be manual only no TTL communication. Not a problem for me as I only use manual flash anyway. But if you are used to communication between flash and camera that is not going to happen.

There are some flashes that use a high enough trigger voltage to harm a modern camera but anything that is used on a DSLR is fine.

C_Jones · 04-09-2018, 05:53 PM - **1 Like**

I would recommend the AF360FGZ also, the AF540FGZ or their I and II newer versions. I have four AF360FGZs and they work great. I also have a Yongnuo YN585EX for Pentax and it has P-TTL (Pentax through the lens metering). The Yongnuo is also an excellent flash. A web address of the Yongnuo is below.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1323077-REG/yongnuo_yn585ex_pentax_wireless_flash_speedlite_for.html

**BWG** · 04-09-2018, 07:23 PM - **1 Like**

I second the Yongnuo. It’s an outstanding value at $79.00.

rr1736 · 04-09-2018, 08:29 PM

If one uses the manual mode flashes you can find good quality flashes at very cheap prices The Yongnuo is a great valur

**geomez** · 04-09-2018, 09:23 PM

If you buy a Cactus v6, you can use your Canon flash on your K-1 with TTL. If you buy a Cactus v6 II, you can use your Canon flash on your K-1 with TTL and HSS (if that flash supports HHS).

**pentaxus** · 04-09-2018, 09:46 PM

It all depends on how the contacts line up. Years ago so many people damaged a circuit board on their Minolta Maxxum 7000 by using a flash from their Canon AE-1 that Minolta changed the hot shoe on the camera on later models ( yes, that is why minolta changed to that non-standard flash shoe ). They made an adapter to standard hot shoe that only had the center contact. I vote with lesmore49.

**gaweidert** · 04-10-2018, 04:40 AM

I have the Yongnuo YN585EX that works on my K1, K3 and K5 with no problems. Inexpensive too. I rarely use flash so it is good enough for me.

Shammy makes one for Pentax with a HSS mode that gets pretty good reviews too. That one is about $130 US.

CNunez · 04-10-2018, 05:38 AM

I use the Yongnuo which is intended for Canon or was it Nikon. However it works perfectly with my Pentax cameras. Manual of course. Value as others have said is perfect. I also use the radio trigger unit so I can place my flash in all the weird places you can think of :P

**BWG** · 04-10-2018, 06:52 AM

Just to be clear, the Yongnuo YN585EX flash is TTL. It can be used in manual mode, but that’s not necessary. You can also use it off camera with the Pentax flashes (540 or 360) as triggers - 100% compatable.

C_Jones · 04-10-2018, 08:24 AM

The Yongnuo YN585EX for Pentax cameras is exactly that, for Pentax, and it has the Pentax TTL (P-TTL) as I mentioned in my earlier post. It is the only other brand flash I have that is not Pentax other than an older Vivitar that is not intended for DSLR use originally. I've used the YN585EX with a K-3II and a K-1, and it works flawlessly in P-TTL mode, Manual mode, and with other functions. The image results are excellent.

**mikeac** · 04-10-2018, 09:34 AM

Thanks to all of you! That spread of information was just what I was looking for.

**Wingincamera** · 04-10-2018, 01:58 PM

To answer the original question my experience was a Canon flash will not work on a Pentax. When I moved from a Canon dSLR to the Pentax I had a Sigma flash for my Canon 5D and the flash would not work on my new Pentax K-5 II. I ended up giving the flash to another Canon user.

**clackers** · 04-10-2018, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by Wingincamera

To answer the original question my experience was a Canon flash will not work on a Pentax. When I moved from a Canon dSLR to the Pentax I had a Sigma flash for my Canon 5D and the flash would not work on my new Pentax K-5 II. I ended up giving the flash to another Canon user.

It will (they have the same hotshoe) but only in Manual mode.

04-09-2018, 04:30 PM	#1
mikeac Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 23	Can I use my Canon flash with a Pentax K1 Mk II? I am planning to upgrade from my Canon 60D to the K1 MkII. I have a Canon 430EXII Speedlite and I was wondering if I will be able to use it with the K1. If so, will there be any limitations in it's operation?

04-10-2018, 08:24 AM	#12
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	The Yongnuo YN585EX for Pentax cameras is exactly that, for Pentax, and it has the Pentax TTL (P-TTL) as I mentioned in my earlier post. It is the only other brand flash I have that is not Pentax other than an older Vivitar that is not intended for DSLR use originally. I've used the YN585EX with a K-3II and a K-1, and it works flawlessly in P-TTL mode, Manual mode, and with other functions. The image results are excellent. Last edited by C_Jones; 04-10-2018 at 08:42 AM.

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04-09-2018, 05:20 PM	#2
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,325	I also have a Canon 430 flash. I use it on my Canon G 12. Would I use it on my K1 ? Nope. It might work ok with no issues, but who really knows, until you try it. I have a Pentax 360 flash that works well with my Pentax gear, including my K1. I usually use it with my Rogue Flash Bender. Why take a chance is my view. You will have a very fine camera in your K1, Mk. ll. The cost of the Pentax 360 flash compared to the cost of a new K1 Mk.ll is not much...I would just buy a Pentax 360 or 580. You can probably get a good deal on a used unit through this forum's buy and sell.

04-09-2018, 05:42 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by mikeac Canon 430EXII Speedlite and I was wondering if I will be able to use it with the K1 No reason why not. I use a Nikon SB-26 flash on mine all the time. However, it will be manual only no TTL communication. Not a problem for me as I only use manual flash anyway. But if you are used to communication between flash and camera that is not going to happen. There are some flashes that use a high enough trigger voltage to harm a modern camera but anything that is used on a DSLR is fine.

04-09-2018, 05:53 PM - 1 Like	#4
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	I would recommend the AF360FGZ also, the AF540FGZ or their I and II newer versions. I have four AF360FGZs and they work great. I also have a Yongnuo YN585EX for Pentax and it has P-TTL (Pentax through the lens metering). The Yongnuo is also an excellent flash. A web address of the Yongnuo is below. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1323077-REG/yongnuo_yn585ex_pentax_wireless_flash_speedlite_for.html

04-09-2018, 07:23 PM - 1 Like	#5
BWG Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Monterey County, California Posts: 165	I second the Yongnuo. It’s an outstanding value at $79.00.

04-09-2018, 08:29 PM	#6
rr1736 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chicago Illinois Photos: Albums Posts: 203	If one uses the manual mode flashes you can find good quality flashes at very cheap prices The Yongnuo is a great valur

04-09-2018, 09:23 PM	#7
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	If you buy a Cactus v6, you can use your Canon flash on your K-1 with TTL. If you buy a Cactus v6 II, you can use your Canon flash on your K-1 with TTL and HSS (if that flash supports HHS).

04-09-2018, 09:46 PM	#8
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	It all depends on how the contacts line up. Years ago so many people damaged a circuit board on their Minolta Maxxum 7000 by using a flash from their Canon AE-1 that Minolta changed the hot shoe on the camera on later models ( yes, that is why minolta changed to that non-standard flash shoe ). They made an adapter to standard hot shoe that only had the center contact. I vote with lesmore49.

04-10-2018, 04:40 AM	#9
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	I have the Yongnuo YN585EX that works on my K1, K3 and K5 with no problems. Inexpensive too. I rarely use flash so it is good enough for me. Shammy makes one for Pentax with a HSS mode that gets pretty good reviews too. That one is about $130 US.

04-10-2018, 05:38 AM	#10
CNunez Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	I use the Yongnuo which is intended for Canon or was it Nikon. However it works perfectly with my Pentax cameras. Manual of course. Value as others have said is perfect. I also use the radio trigger unit so I can place my flash in all the weird places you can think of :P

04-10-2018, 06:52 AM	#11
BWG Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Monterey County, California Posts: 165	Just to be clear, the Yongnuo YN585EX flash is TTL. It can be used in manual mode, but that’s not necessary. You can also use it off camera with the Pentax flashes (540 or 360) as triggers - 100% compatable.

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04-10-2018, 09:34 AM	#13
mikeac Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 23 Original Poster	Thanks to all of you! That spread of information was just what I was looking for.

04-10-2018, 01:58 PM	#14
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	To answer the original question my experience was a Canon flash will not work on a Pentax. When I moved from a Canon dSLR to the Pentax I had a Sigma flash for my Canon 5D and the flash would not work on my new Pentax K-5 II. I ended up giving the flash to another Canon user.

04-10-2018, 06:21 PM	#15
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Wingincamera To answer the original question my experience was a Canon flash will not work on a Pentax. When I moved from a Canon dSLR to the Pentax I had a Sigma flash for my Canon 5D and the flash would not work on my new Pentax K-5 II. I ended up giving the flash to another Canon user. It will (they have the same hotshoe) but only in Manual mode.