Generic external flash

TeamPentax · 09-04-2010, 05:45 AM

So I've had my DS for 2 days now and I've been learning how to adapt it to my needs and read the manual 3 times now but I'm missing something some where.

I have a few older flashes which I used with my Fuji S9500 with out any problems, I put one onto my ds and it wouldn't fire, my question is will the *ist ds work with non genuine flashes ?
the one I tried it with is a SUNPAK AUTO 140, it cost me $2.00 so theres no real great loss either way but I assume most flashes get the message from the camera to flash so have I set up the camera wrong ?

with my fuji I turn on the hot shoe but as far as I can see in the menu of the ds I don't see a setting for it.

I basically know naff all about flashes, mine don't have no flashey lcd just a dial with a lot of numbers that turns to hieroglyphic's after a few seconds......

Thank you for any tips you could share, I'm sure I'll be back real soon with another question and I wouldn't of made it without the help of the people in this forum, I really appreciate all the help I'm getting.
I've been after this model camera for over a year now and I finally have it and it's bewildered me so much that I'm worried I've made a mistake, but I'll figure it out (with the help from this forum) it's a Pentax, how could I go wrong ?

Adam · 09-04-2010, 07:48 AM

There are lots of similar threads found at the bottom of this page with the answers to most of your questions.

Be advised that generic flashes work only in manual mode unless they're PTTL-compatible. This means that the flash will always fire at full power, and that you'll need to set the aperture accordingly on your own.

To get the flash to fire, simply set your mode dial to X

TeamPentax · 09-06-2010, 08:34 PM

I must be blind, where is the X on the mode dial ?
The only thing that might be an X is the NO FLASH on the dial, is that it ? doesn't that turn off the flash ?

tomtor · 09-07-2010, 04:49 AM

just select a shutter speed of 1/180 or slower in M or Tv mode and your flash will fire.

Note that many generic flashes also have a working auto mode which you can use in M or Av mode with great results. I have explained that usage in earlier posts but be free to ask if it is still unclear...

TeamPentax · 09-08-2010, 12:56 AM

Hello, so I attempted the settings you suggested and they didn't work, so I went out and dragged in all my old flashes I have the SUNPAK auto 140, METZ 20BC4 , VESTA Thyristor AUTO-2000ND which has mini flash called a Kangaroo-mini on a hotshoe on the flash for the little one and a monster METZ 45-CT which has a bracket to attach the camera via the tripod mount.
All worked (except the big METZ) with the camera under the settings above with some adjustment of the Aperture so it was the SUNPAK flash thats at fault.

Thank you so much for all your help, without it I would of perished very unhappy.

Stratman · 09-08-2010, 09:04 PM

Make sure you check the trigger voltage on those old flashes, some of them have very high voltages that may fry your camera.... There is a list somewhere with the voltages of different flashes, but I have no idea where it is, I am sure someone will chime in with it soon though....

TeamPentax · 09-10-2010, 01:57 AM

How do I find out how much the trigger voltage is and what is the acceptalble voltage ?

**eccs19** · 09-10-2010, 04:24 PM

This is not Pentax specific, but it does list a bunch of flashed, and the voltages of them.

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

**eccs19** · 09-10-2010, 04:25 PM

More good information for you to have a look at.

Secrets of Powershot Flash Photography

TeamPentax · 09-11-2010, 10:52 PM

Thanks everyone, still not clear but have now read enough NOT to use them !!!

09-04-2010, 05:45 AM	#1
TeamPentax Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 83	Generic external flash So I've had my DS for 2 days now and I've been learning how to adapt it to my needs and read the manual 3 times now but I'm missing something some where. I have a few older flashes which I used with my Fuji S9500 with out any problems, I put one onto my ds and it wouldn't fire, my question is will the *ist ds work with non genuine flashes ? the one I tried it with is a SUNPAK AUTO 140, it cost me $2.00 so theres no real great loss either way but I assume most flashes get the message from the camera to flash so have I set up the camera wrong ? with my fuji I turn on the hot shoe but as far as I can see in the menu of the ds I don't see a setting for it. I basically know naff all about flashes, mine don't have no flashey lcd just a dial with a lot of numbers that turns to hieroglyphic's after a few seconds...... Thank you for any tips you could share, I'm sure I'll be back real soon with another question and I wouldn't of made it without the help of the people in this forum, I really appreciate all the help I'm getting. I've been after this model camera for over a year now and I finally have it and it's bewildered me so much that I'm worried I've made a mistake, but I'll figure it out (with the help from this forum) it's a Pentax, how could I go wrong ?

09-04-2010, 07:48 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	There are lots of similar threads found at the bottom of this page with the answers to most of your questions. Be advised that generic flashes work only in manual mode unless they're PTTL-compatible. This means that the flash will always fire at full power, and that you'll need to set the aperture accordingly on your own. To get the flash to fire, simply set your mode dial to X Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
External flash help?!	a_brooke2006	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	06-16-2010 09:50 AM
In what situation can you use the external flash that the built in flash couldnt?	rustynail925	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	25	01-13-2010 01:26 PM
Generic flash: I think Tumax may be the source	mattdm	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	14	01-18-2009 09:53 AM
Generic Flash from ebay?	ronald_durst	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	10	12-03-2008 05:48 PM
Should I get a generic flash?	leadbelly	Photographic Technique	10	07-20-2007 07:17 AM

09-06-2010, 08:34 PM	#3
TeamPentax Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 83 Original Poster	I must be blind, where is the X on the mode dial ? The only thing that might be an X is the NO FLASH on the dial, is that it ? doesn't that turn off the flash ?

09-07-2010, 04:49 AM	#4
tomtor Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Netherlands Posts: 382	just select a shutter speed of 1/180 or slower in M or Tv mode and your flash will fire. Note that many generic flashes also have a working auto mode which you can use in M or Av mode with great results. I have explained that usage in earlier posts but be free to ask if it is still unclear...

09-08-2010, 12:56 AM	#5
TeamPentax Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 83 Original Poster	Hello, so I attempted the settings you suggested and they didn't work, so I went out and dragged in all my old flashes I have the SUNPAK auto 140, METZ 20BC4 , VESTA Thyristor AUTO-2000ND which has mini flash called a Kangaroo-mini on a hotshoe on the flash for the little one and a monster METZ 45-CT which has a bracket to attach the camera via the tripod mount. All worked (except the big METZ) with the camera under the settings above with some adjustment of the Aperture so it was the SUNPAK flash thats at fault. Thank you so much for all your help, without it I would of perished very unhappy.

09-08-2010, 09:04 PM	#6
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Make sure you check the trigger voltage on those old flashes, some of them have very high voltages that may fry your camera.... There is a list somewhere with the voltages of different flashes, but I have no idea where it is, I am sure someone will chime in with it soon though....

09-10-2010, 01:57 AM	#7
TeamPentax Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 83 Original Poster	How do I find out how much the trigger voltage is and what is the acceptalble voltage ?

09-10-2010, 04:24 PM	#8
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	This is not Pentax specific, but it does list a bunch of flashed, and the voltages of them. Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

09-10-2010, 04:25 PM	#9
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	More good information for you to have a look at. Secrets of Powershot Flash Photography

09-11-2010, 10:52 PM	#10
TeamPentax Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 83 Original Poster	Thanks everyone, still not clear but have now read enough NOT to use them !!!