Nikon SB-24 or SB-26 flashes ok to use with K20D?

bpjod · 04-20-2009, 11:31 PM

I have a pair of Nikon flashes, the SB-24 and SB-26. I rarely use on camera flash, but for the odd time I want to quickly use bounce flash, would it be fine to mount these flashes to my new K20D? I don't expect anything other than manual, I just want make sure I won't fry the K20D's electronics as I've heard that mismatched voltages between hotshoes and flashes can be problematic. Don't know much about it but thought I'd check first before experimenting.

Bruce

darrenleow · 04-21-2009, 12:59 AM

i've used a sb26 on the hotshoe of a k100d in A mode, where you manually set the iso and aperture setting on the flash to match the camera. Haven't fried anything yet (think the trigger voltage is safe) and it works a charm for indoor bounce flash work ! Give it a shot

darrenleow · 04-21-2009, 01:03 AM

you'll be limited to a widest aperture of f5.6 at iso 800/ f4 at iso 400 in A mode though.

If wider apertures are needed at such high isos, you'll have to experiment with M mode.

SOldBear · 04-21-2009, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by bpjod

I have a pair of Nikon flashes, the SB-24 and SB-26. ...would it be fine to mount these flashes to my new K20D?

SB-24 and SB-26 are great. In fact, SB-24/25/26/28/80/80DX/800/900 are all great.

I've been using an SB-25 with my K10D and Canon G5. No problem.

For Pentax, I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ. For Canon, I have a Canon 420EX.

But if I know I don't need wireless or high speed or trailing curtain flash, I use the SB-25 (I like the Vivitar 283, but its head does not swilvel) with either the K10D or the G5.

Set the flash to Auto mode and the camera to M mode with shutter speed 1/180 sec or slower, match the ISO and the aperture settings on the camera and on the flash, and shoot away....

The locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash don't match the locations of the data pins on the Pentax hotshoe, so you can use the SB flash as is.

But the locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash match the locations of the data pins on the Canon hotshoe, so I had to remove the data pins on the SB-25 flash.

Edit to add: If you use a manual lens (e.g. a lens with PK-mount or M42-mount), you can use the Pentax AF540FGZ only in Auto or manual mode, just like you would the SB flash, any way. P-TTL does not work with manual lens.

SOldBear · 04-21-2009, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by darrenleow

i've used a sb26 on the hotshoe of a k100d in A mode

Why A mode? Is it better to use M mode where you control the aperture and the shutter speed?

darrenleow · 04-21-2009, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Why A mode? Is it better to use M mode where you control the aperture and the shutter speed?

To clarify, i meant A mode as in Auto mode on the flash (rather than Av mode on cam).. The camera is set on Manual mode, usually at abt iso800 f5.6 1/60 as a starting point.

I agree with you that for indoor flash photography, its best to put the camera on manual mode, as Av mode tends to meter for the ambient, resulting in shutter speeds tt are too long.

res3567 · 04-21-2009, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

SB-24 and SB-26 are great. In fact, SB-24/25/26/28/80/80DX/800/900 are all great.

I've been using an SB-25 with my K10D and Canon G5. No problem.

For Pentax, I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ. For Canon, I have a Canon 420EX.

But if I know I don't need wireless or high speed or trailing curtain flash, I use the SB-25 (I like the Vivitar 283, but its head does not swilvel) with either the K10D or the G5.

Set the flash to Auto mode and the camera to M mode with shutter speed 1/180 sec or slower, match the ISO and the aperture settings on the camera and on the flash, and shoot away....

The locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash don't match the locations of the data pins on the Pentax hotshoe, so you can use the SB flash as is.

But the locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash match the locations of the data pins on the Canon hotshoe, so I had to remove the data pins on the SB-25 flash.

Edit to add: If you use a manual lens (e.g. a lens with PK-mount or M42-mount), you can use the Pentax AF540FGZ only in Auto or manual mode, just like you would the SB flash, any way. P-TTL does not work with manual lens.

Do you use the X sync mode on your K10D?

SOldBear · 04-21-2009, 11:05 PM

Originally posted by res3567

Do you use the X sync mode on your K10D?

X sync mode? What X sync mode? Does the K10D have X sync mode setting somewhere?

I use speeds from 1/20 to 1/180, depending on how much I want the ambient light to contribute to the exposure.

SOldBear · 04-21-2009, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by darrenleow

you'll be limited to a widest aperture of f5.6 at iso 800/ f4 at iso 400 in A mode though.

If wider apertures are needed at such high isos, you'll have to experiment with M mode.

I'm confused! Do the max/min aperture/ISO settings depend on the flash unit? The settings of my little Pentax AF160 are different from those of my big Sunpak 611.

The way you write, the settings of f/5.6 @ ISO800 and f/4.0 @ ISO400 seem to be universal, no matter what flash is being used.

darrenleow · 04-22-2009, 03:14 AM

Originally posted by SOldBear

I'm confused! Do the max/min aperture/ISO settings depend on the flash unit? The settings of my little Pentax AF160 are different from those of my big Sunpak 611.

The way you write, the settings of f/5.6 @ ISO800 and f/4.0 @ ISO400 seem to be universal, no matter what flash is being used.

no i meant it specifically for the nikon sb24/25/26 as that's all that i have experience with & what the OP was asking about.

btw the k10d x-sync mode is accessed by turning the mode dial to the red X.

res3567 · 04-22-2009, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

X sync mode? What X sync mode? Does the K10D have X sync mode setting somewhere?

I use speeds from 1/20 to 1/180, depending on how much I want the ambient light to contribute to the exposure.

Yes. On the mode dial. The red X. It locks the shutter to 1/180, and is for manual flash. You can change the aperture via the rear e-dial. I use it all the time with my Vivitar 285/Wein safe sync combo.

04-20-2009, 11:31 PM	#1
bpjod Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wetaskiwin, Alberta Posts: 85	Nikon SB-24 or SB-26 flashes ok to use with K20D? I have a pair of Nikon flashes, the SB-24 and SB-26. I rarely use on camera flash, but for the odd time I want to quickly use bounce flash, would it be fine to mount these flashes to my new K20D? I don't expect anything other than manual, I just want make sure I won't fry the K20D's electronics as I've heard that mismatched voltages between hotshoes and flashes can be problematic. Don't know much about it but thought I'd check first before experimenting. Bruce

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04-21-2009, 12:59 AM	#2
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	i've used a sb26 on the hotshoe of a k100d in A mode, where you manually set the iso and aperture setting on the flash to match the camera. Haven't fried anything yet (think the trigger voltage is safe) and it works a charm for indoor bounce flash work ! Give it a shot

04-21-2009, 01:03 AM	#3
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	you'll be limited to a widest aperture of f5.6 at iso 800/ f4 at iso 400 in A mode though. If wider apertures are needed at such high isos, you'll have to experiment with M mode.

04-21-2009, 02:12 PM	#4
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by bpjod I have a pair of Nikon flashes, the SB-24 and SB-26. ...would it be fine to mount these flashes to my new K20D? SB-24 and SB-26 are great. In fact, SB-24/25/26/28/80/80DX/800/900 are all great. I've been using an SB-25 with my K10D and Canon G5. No problem. For Pentax, I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ. For Canon, I have a Canon 420EX. But if I know I don't need wireless or high speed or trailing curtain flash, I use the SB-25 (I like the Vivitar 283, but its head does not swilvel) with either the K10D or the G5. Set the flash to Auto mode and the camera to M mode with shutter speed 1/180 sec or slower, match the ISO and the aperture settings on the camera and on the flash, and shoot away.... The locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash don't match the locations of the data pins on the Pentax hotshoe, so you can use the SB flash as is. But the locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash match the locations of the data pins on the Canon hotshoe, so I had to remove the data pins on the SB-25 flash. Edit to add: If you use a manual lens (e.g. a lens with PK-mount or M42-mount), you can use the Pentax AF540FGZ only in Auto or manual mode, just like you would the SB flash, any way. P-TTL does not work with manual lens.

04-21-2009, 02:14 PM	#5
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by darrenleow i've used a sb26 on the hotshoe of a k100d in A mode Why A mode? Is it better to use M mode where you control the aperture and the shutter speed?

04-21-2009, 08:42 PM	#6
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by SOldBear Why A mode? Is it better to use M mode where you control the aperture and the shutter speed? To clarify, i meant A mode as in Auto mode on the flash (rather than Av mode on cam).. The camera is set on Manual mode, usually at abt iso800 f5.6 1/60 as a starting point. I agree with you that for indoor flash photography, its best to put the camera on manual mode, as Av mode tends to meter for the ambient, resulting in shutter speeds tt are too long.

04-21-2009, 09:25 PM	#7
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Originally posted by SOldBear SB-24 and SB-26 are great. In fact, SB-24/25/26/28/80/80DX/800/900 are all great. I've been using an SB-25 with my K10D and Canon G5. No problem. For Pentax, I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ. For Canon, I have a Canon 420EX. But if I know I don't need wireless or high speed or trailing curtain flash, I use the SB-25 (I like the Vivitar 283, but its head does not swilvel) with either the K10D or the G5. Set the flash to Auto mode and the camera to M mode with shutter speed 1/180 sec or slower, match the ISO and the aperture settings on the camera and on the flash, and shoot away.... The locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash don't match the locations of the data pins on the Pentax hotshoe, so you can use the SB flash as is. But the locations of the "dedicated data pins" on the SB flash match the locations of the data pins on the Canon hotshoe, so I had to remove the data pins on the SB-25 flash. Edit to add: If you use a manual lens (e.g. a lens with PK-mount or M42-mount), you can use the Pentax AF540FGZ only in Auto or manual mode, just like you would the SB flash, any way. P-TTL does not work with manual lens. Do you use the X sync mode on your K10D?

04-21-2009, 11:05 PM	#8
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by res3567 Do you use the X sync mode on your K10D? X sync mode? What X sync mode? Does the K10D have X sync mode setting somewhere? I use speeds from 1/20 to 1/180, depending on how much I want the ambient light to contribute to the exposure.

04-21-2009, 11:10 PM	#9
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by darrenleow you'll be limited to a widest aperture of f5.6 at iso 800/ f4 at iso 400 in A mode though. If wider apertures are needed at such high isos, you'll have to experiment with M mode. I'm confused! Do the max/min aperture/ISO settings depend on the flash unit? The settings of my little Pentax AF160 are different from those of my big Sunpak 611. The way you write, the settings of f/5.6 @ ISO800 and f/4.0 @ ISO400 seem to be universal, no matter what flash is being used.

04-22-2009, 03:14 AM	#10
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by SOldBear I'm confused! Do the max/min aperture/ISO settings depend on the flash unit? The settings of my little Pentax AF160 are different from those of my big Sunpak 611. The way you write, the settings of f/5.6 @ ISO800 and f/4.0 @ ISO400 seem to be universal, no matter what flash is being used. no i meant it specifically for the nikon sb24/25/26 as that's all that i have experience with & what the OP was asking about. btw the k10d x-sync mode is accessed by turning the mode dial to the red X.

04-22-2009, 08:17 PM	#11
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Originally posted by SOldBear X sync mode? What X sync mode? Does the K10D have X sync mode setting somewhere? I use speeds from 1/20 to 1/180, depending on how much I want the ambient light to contribute to the exposure. Yes. On the mode dial. The red X. It locks the shutter to 1/180, and is for manual flash. You can change the aperture via the rear e-dial. I use it all the time with my Vivitar 285/Wein safe sync combo.