Pentax k-1 hot shoe question

singh2005 · 08-20-2018, 10:11 AM

So today I took off the hot-shoe cover off of my brand new K-1 and noticed that one of the 4 connectors (silver dots?) is missing!! Is this a defective hot shoe -or- is this how all K-1's are? Can anyone please check their K-1 and let me know?

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lotech · 08-20-2018, 10:19 AM - **1 Like**

I think it is normal, it also missing on my K3

Originally posted by singh2005

So today I took off the hot-shoe cover off of my brand new K-1 and noticed that one of the 4 connectors (silver dots?) is missing!! Is this a defective hot shoe -or- is this how all K-1's are? Can anyone please check their K-1 and let me know?

singh2005 · 08-20-2018, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by lotech

I think it is normal, it also missing on my K3

Thank you lotech

**othar** · 08-20-2018, 10:21 AM

This is normal

lotech · 08-20-2018, 10:34 AM - **2 Likes**

But my problem is missing the whole K1 haha you enjoy !

Robot camera · 08-20-2018, 10:55 AM

It's fine. Originally there were just two connections on a camera's hot shoe. One is that big one in the middle and the other one is the single piece of metal that forms those flanges or lips on each side, that hold the flashgun in. If you look at almost any flashgun foot you'll see the corresponding sprung contacts. The other three contacts on the Pentax enable the camera and flash to talk to each other.

That little hole that looks like it should hold another contact is for a locking pin, so your flashgun doesn't accidentally slide out of the shoe. My K20D, a 2008 design, is just the same as your K1.

You can see the foot of a Pentax flashgun here. In this example you can see four sprung contacts and the end of the locking pin in an insulated (plastic) bit, and a sturdy metal flange surrounding that which is your fifth contact:
Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Construction and Handling | PentaxForums.com Reviews

lotech · 08-20-2018, 11:29 AM

On a side note, if I remember right, flash gun designed for the K5 (or K7, K20D ?) does not work properly on the K3 I believe K1 as well, the flash will auto fire non stop once the camera turned on, I got a 3rd party flash just like that, I don't know how older Pentax flash performs on new camera.

timw4mail · 08-20-2018, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by Robot camera

It's fine. Originally there were just two connections on a camera's hot shoe. One is that big one in the middle and the other one is the single piece of metal that forms those flanges or lips on each side, that hold the flashgun in. If you look at almost any flashgun foot you'll see the corresponding sprung contacts. The other three contacts on the Pentax enable the camera and flash to talk to each other.

That little hole that looks like it should hold another contact is for a locking pin, so your flashgun doesn't accidentally slide out of the shoe. My K20D, a 2008 design, is just the same as your K1.

You can see the foot of a Pentax flashgun here. In this example you can see four sprung contacts and the end of the locking pin in an insulated (plastic) bit, and a sturdy metal flange surrounding that which is your fifth contact:
Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Construction and Handling | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Yeah, the empty area is for locking a flash onto the shoe.

**shardulm** · 08-20-2018, 12:33 PM

Pentax uses only 3 electrical points outside of the center one. So you are fine. Here is Pentax TTL flash's hot shoe for your reference,
That seemingly empty hole on Pentax bodies is a recess hole to let a small metal pin engage into the camera hot shoe when the flash lever is closed to prevent accidental sliding out of the hot shoe mounted flash.

singh2005 · 08-21-2018, 07:34 AM - **1 Like**

Thank you all! I love Pentax-forums

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08-20-2018, 10:19 AM - 1 Like	#2
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312	I think it is normal, it also missing on my K3 Originally posted by singh2005 So today I took off the hot-shoe cover off of my brand new K-1 and noticed that one of the 4 connectors (silver dots?) is missing!! Is this a defective hot shoe -or- is this how all K-1's are? Can anyone please check their K-1 and let me know?

08-20-2018, 10:21 AM	#3
singh2005 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 28 Original Poster	Originally posted by lotech I think it is normal, it also missing on my K3 Thank you lotech

08-20-2018, 10:21 AM	#4
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	This is normal

08-20-2018, 10:34 AM - 2 Likes	#5
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312	But my problem is missing the whole K1 haha you enjoy !

08-20-2018, 10:55 AM	#6
Robot camera Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Posts: 194	It's fine. Originally there were just two connections on a camera's hot shoe. One is that big one in the middle and the other one is the single piece of metal that forms those flanges or lips on each side, that hold the flashgun in. If you look at almost any flashgun foot you'll see the corresponding sprung contacts. The other three contacts on the Pentax enable the camera and flash to talk to each other. That little hole that looks like it should hold another contact is for a locking pin, so your flashgun doesn't accidentally slide out of the shoe. My K20D, a 2008 design, is just the same as your K1. You can see the foot of a Pentax flashgun here. In this example you can see four sprung contacts and the end of the locking pin in an insulated (plastic) bit, and a sturdy metal flange surrounding that which is your fifth contact: Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Construction and Handling \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

08-20-2018, 11:29 AM	#7
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312	On a side note, if I remember right, flash gun designed for the K5 (or K7, K20D ?) does not work properly on the K3 I believe K1 as well, the flash will auto fire non stop once the camera turned on, I got a 3rd party flash just like that, I don't know how older Pentax flash performs on new camera.

08-20-2018, 11:44 AM	#8
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by Robot camera It's fine. Originally there were just two connections on a camera's hot shoe. One is that big one in the middle and the other one is the single piece of metal that forms those flanges or lips on each side, that hold the flashgun in. If you look at almost any flashgun foot you'll see the corresponding sprung contacts. The other three contacts on the Pentax enable the camera and flash to talk to each other. That little hole that looks like it should hold another contact is for a locking pin, so your flashgun doesn't accidentally slide out of the shoe. My K20D, a 2008 design, is just the same as your K1. You can see the foot of a Pentax flashgun here. In this example you can see four sprung contacts and the end of the locking pin in an insulated (plastic) bit, and a sturdy metal flange surrounding that which is your fifth contact: Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Construction and Handling \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Yeah, the empty area is for locking a flash onto the shoe.

08-21-2018, 07:34 AM - 1 Like	#10
singh2005 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 28 Original Poster	Thank you all! I love Pentax-forums