External Flash

jthrower · 02-02-2021, 05:03 PM

Hi

I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

SharkyCA · 02-02-2021, 05:30 PM

May want to do a search on flash! One way to go on the less expensive side is Godox!

Flash - Site Search - PentaxForums.com

jthrower · 02-02-2021, 05:38 PM

Thanks 👍

MarkJerling · 02-02-2021, 05:42 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jthrower

Hi

I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Welcome!
Godox would be good. Also have a look if you see any Cactus units for sale. Cactus has gone out of business so you'll find no support or backup but their products are good and considering they're out of business, may be found cheaply.

Paul the Sunman · 02-02-2021, 05:53 PM

With the K3 you have a built-in flash. It's good to get an external flash that can either be attached to the hotshoe for better results, or used off-camera triggered by the built-in flash. For that, a P-TTL flash is ideal.

The other option is a wireless flash. Godox is the way to go there. They are good value. The Godox TT350P Mini Thinklite TTL Flash for Pentax is only $84.90 at B&H, and can be the basis of a more capable system later as the need arises and you perhaps add wireless triggers.

Sidney Porter · 02-02-2021, 07:23 PM

I use the godox v1. No complaints

K3 and kp

reh321 · 02-02-2021, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by jthrower

Hi

I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Welcome!

Since getting a KP I’ve much less use of external flash - use of higher ISO values has replaced use of flash in many settings.

tibbitts · 02-02-2021, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by jthrower

Hi

I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

It might help for people to know what applications you want to use external flash for.

stevebrot · 02-02-2021, 08:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jthrower

Any help would be greatly appreciated

It is a big subject! Here are a few questions to narrow things down:

What is your goal and/or intended subject(s)
Is your intent for single-flash, on-camera?
Will you be wanting to do off-camera flash? If so, do you want the option for contribution from two or more flashes?
Are you interested in manual technique or is P-TTL* auto flash exposure important?

The last is a bit of a trick question in that options are clear for single flash with your K-3, either on or off-camera and not as clear for more involved lighting.

Steve

* P-TTL is a Pentax technology for flash exposure control using through-the-lens light measurement.

swanlefitte · 02-02-2021, 09:51 PM

Strobist loves godex and says a little about it. Strobist: Hot-Shoe Go-To: The Godox TT600
Not sure how current it is. I have cactus and it works well minus high speed synch and a few other specialty features.

**Kobie** · 02-15-2021, 05:17 PM

Another nod for Godox/Adorama Flashpoint (the latter is basically the same thing, but with easier support).

35mmfilmfan · 02-15-2021, 05:28 PM

Both Yongnuo and Neewer have non-dedicated flashes at reasonable prices, since you mention you are on a budget.

stevebrot · 02-15-2021, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Not sure how current it is.

It is a nice generic speedlight with good power and built-in RF wireless allowing limited control (IIRC...sync, zoom, strength, and multi) from a Godox/Flashpoint master/controller.

Steve

G&R · 02-20-2021, 06:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jthrower

(University budget)

If you are looking at a used flash then beware of voltage. Some vintage flashes can apparently dump over 200v into the camera and fry a modern DSLR. I have just bought a multimeter to test a vintages flash; if it comes out around 6v it should be safe to hook up to a camera. Even if it passes my lab test I would put it on a cheap DSRL before letting a K3 anywhere near it.

Lord Lucan · 02-21-2021, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by G&R

Some vintage flashes can apparently dump over 200v into the camera and fry a modern DSLR.

Indeed. Some are even on the wrong side of 300v, and it is real not apparent

. You need to measure with a digital meter though, because the high voltage at the shoe is on a very small capacitor and an analog meter will misleadingly pull the voltage down, possibly making it look safe when it isn't..

The Botzilla web site (link below) is a starting point. Some people say you can use a high voltage flash unit with an intermediate adaptor, but don't bother, just get a unit that is safe in the first place. There are thousands of safe units on Ebay so cheap they are almost free, while those adaptors cost significant money. And with an unsafe flash unit around, there is always a chance that someone trying to be helpful will fit it straight on your camera and switch it on.

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

02-02-2021, 05:03 PM	#1
jthrower New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2	External Flash Hi I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget) Any help would be greatly appreciated

02-02-2021, 08:52 PM - 1 Like	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jthrower Any help would be greatly appreciated It is a big subject! Here are a few questions to narrow things down: What is your goal and/or intended subject(s) Is your intent for single-flash, on-camera? Will you be wanting to do off-camera flash? If so, do you want the option for contribution from two or more flashes? Are you interested in manual technique or is P-TTL* auto flash exposure important? The last is a bit of a trick question in that options are clear for single flash with your K-3, either on or off-camera and not as clear for more involved lighting. Steve * P-TTL is a Pentax technology for flash exposure control using through-the-lens light measurement.

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02-02-2021, 05:30 PM	#2
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	May want to do a search on flash! One way to go on the less expensive side is Godox! Flash - Site Search - PentaxForums.com

02-02-2021, 05:38 PM	#3
jthrower New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thanks 👍

02-02-2021, 05:42 PM - 1 Like	#4
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by jthrower Hi I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget) Any help would be greatly appreciated Welcome! Godox would be good. Also have a look if you see any Cactus units for sale. Cactus has gone out of business so you'll find no support or backup but their products are good and considering they're out of business, may be found cheaply.

02-02-2021, 05:53 PM	#5
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	With the K3 you have a built-in flash. It's good to get an external flash that can either be attached to the hotshoe for better results, or used off-camera triggered by the built-in flash. For that, a P-TTL flash is ideal. The other option is a wireless flash. Godox is the way to go there. They are good value. The Godox TT350P Mini Thinklite TTL Flash for Pentax is only $84.90 at B&H, and can be the basis of a more capable system later as the need arises and you perhaps add wireless triggers.

02-02-2021, 07:23 PM	#6
Sidney Porter Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio USA Posts: 353	I use the godox v1. No complaints K3 and kp

02-02-2021, 08:41 PM	#7
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by jthrower Hi I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget) Any help would be greatly appreciated Welcome! Since getting a KP I’ve much less use of external flash - use of higher ISO values has replaced use of flash in many settings.

02-02-2021, 08:51 PM	#8
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,196	Originally posted by jthrower Hi I use a Pentax K3 and have minimal experience using external flash so I'm looking into it but I'm unsure what to get. (University budget) Any help would be greatly appreciated It might help for people to know what applications you want to use external flash for.

02-02-2021, 09:51 PM	#10
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Strobist loves godex and says a little about it. Strobist: Hot-Shoe Go-To: The Godox TT600 Not sure how current it is. I have cactus and it works well minus high speed synch and a few other specialty features.

02-15-2021, 05:17 PM	#11
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Another nod for Godox/Adorama Flashpoint (the latter is basically the same thing, but with easier support).

02-15-2021, 05:28 PM	#12
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339	Both Yongnuo and Neewer have non-dedicated flashes at reasonable prices, since you mention you are on a budget.

02-15-2021, 07:58 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by swanlefitte Not sure how current it is. It is a nice generic speedlight with good power and built-in RF wireless allowing limited control (IIRC...sync, zoom, strength, and multi) from a Godox/Flashpoint master/controller. Steve

02-20-2021, 06:38 PM - 1 Like	#14
G&R Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 37	Originally posted by jthrower (University budget) If you are looking at a used flash then beware of voltage. Some vintage flashes can apparently dump over 200v into the camera and fry a modern DSLR. I have just bought a multimeter to test a vintages flash; if it comes out around 6v it should be safe to hook up to a camera. Even if it passes my lab test I would put it on a cheap DSRL before letting a K3 anywhere near it.

02-21-2021, 06:56 AM	#15
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,978	Originally posted by G&R Some vintage flashes can apparently dump over 200v into the camera and fry a modern DSLR. Indeed. Some are even on the wrong side of 300v, and it is real not apparent . You need to measure with a digital meter though, because the high voltage at the shoe is on a very small capacitor and an analog meter will misleadingly pull the voltage down, possibly making it look safe when it isn't.. The Botzilla web site (link below) is a starting point. Some people say you can use a high voltage flash unit with an intermediate adaptor, but don't bother, just get a unit that is safe in the first place. There are thousands of safe units on Ebay so cheap they are almost free, while those adaptors cost significant money. And with an unsafe flash unit around, there is always a chance that someone trying to be helpful will fit it straight on your camera and switch it on. Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages