Should I?

magkelly · 10-19-2010, 01:56 PM

There's a guy that's local to me that has an *ist D where apparently the camera seems to stop working when you use the on board flash. He says it basically slows down and shuts off as if the batteries were drained even when they're not. When he uses the camera without flash everything is fine. It works like a charm.

I'm going to go down and see the camera tomorrow, bring my own Vivitar 2000 flash and see if the camera works with an external flash or not. But I am wondering what might be causing this power drain situation and if I should be going there at all even with an external flash? Is it just that the bulb is winking out or is this something I really should stay away from?

I don't mind using an external flash and he's selling it pretty cheap because of this issue. I'm thinking hard about getting it, using it for a few months till I can get a K-x then keeping it as a backup maybe?

Opinions?

Damian · 10-19-2010, 02:00 PM

If it works fine with the external flash (no battery drain issue) and is a really good deal then go for it. Just keep in mind the resale value isn't going to be much.

magkelly · 10-19-2010, 02:10 PM

I definitely can't quibble at the price. It more than great if the external works. I don't care about the resale value so long as I can get six months or a year out of it really. I still want my K-x but with this in my kit I could afford to wait another six months or a year and maybe even step up to a K-R or a K-7 and in the meantime I'd be able to shoot digital while I am learning which would save me a bundle.

The only thing that worries me is that whatever is causing the camera to power down when using the internal flash might cause it to go out completely in a week or two. I'm not sure of what might be wrong. If it's just a question of using an external flash I'm all set there.

Parallax · 10-19-2010, 02:45 PM

It sounds to me like it might be a short created when the flash is popped up. If that is the case it should have no effect on anything as long as the flash is closed.

magkelly · 10-19-2010, 03:01 PM

I'm really hoping that's the case. That sounds like what he's describing actually.

Originally posted by Parallax

It sounds to me like it might be a short created when the flash is popped up. If that is the case it should have no effect on anything as long as the flash is closed.

TaoMaas · 10-19-2010, 03:05 PM

The *ist D is a good camera. I got a used one for my wife when she thought she'd like to try photography. I keep thinking about buying her something more modern so that I can steal her *ist D to use as my "carry everywhere" camera.

chalion · 10-19-2010, 03:12 PM

I know a site that's selling K2000 new w/the kit lens (mark II) for $369.99 + $5.00 shipping, with a 1 year Pentax warranty. They also accept paypal as a payment method:

http://moofi.woot.com/moofi/tuxedo

moofi.woot.com/moofi/tuxedo

I've been buying from them for years and have been pretty happy with their deals. I bought my K100D from them about 30 months ago.

magkelly · 10-19-2010, 07:00 PM

These are the flash units I currently own. Has anyone used one of these safely on their *ist? I'm gathering that the Vivitar 2000 might be a problem, but I can't quite tell from what I am reading on the others here:

Secrets of Powershot Flash Photography

Vivitar 2000
Kamero KA 70 Flash
Yashica CS-201 Auto Flash
Sun Blitz 100 flash unit
Hanimex XS 14 flash unit
Vivitar auto thyristor 3700 flash unit.

Thanks!

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-19-2010, 07:29 PM

If TTL works with an external flash, go for it I still use my *istD with my AF 500 FTZ and my M42 lenses it is a very capable little camera

gp1806 · 10-19-2010, 08:32 PM

I have a Vivitar 3700 and have used it with the ist DL. It works well as an auto flash with the DL set to manual. The trigger voltage is low, so it's safe. To use it as TTL with the ist D, you would need the proper Vivitar flash module for Pentax TTL.

magkelly · 10-19-2010, 10:11 PM

Darn, that Vivitar 3700 is probably not going to work then. I got it with my Yashica. There's nothing on it that says Yashica as I recall, but I'll have to check it again just to see if it says anything. I don't really have a designated Pentax flash though. Most of mine seem to be generics. Only one is labeled for a particular camera maker, and that's a Yashica one I think. I may have to just take my chances and hope I can figure out something later flash-wise.

lowspark86 · 10-20-2010, 12:36 AM

Originally posted by magkelly

Darn, that Vivitar 3700 is probably not going to work then. I got it with my Yashica. There's nothing on it that says Yashica as I recall, but I'll have to check it again just to see if it says anything. I don't really have a designated Pentax flash though. Most of mine seem to be generics. Only one is labeled for a particular camera maker, and that's a Yashica one I think. I may have to just take my chances and hope I can figure out something later flash-wise.

You should still be able to trigger whichever flash you want in manual mode, the module is for TTL flash exposure control. As long as the trigger voltage is safe....but you've already looked in to that.

There could be just a short or small problem causing the issue with the camera. What I would want to know is what caused the problem - you may not be able to find out.

Make sure you get a very good deal on the camera since you really don't know.

10-19-2010, 01:56 PM	#1
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	Should I? There's a guy that's local to me that has an *ist D where apparently the camera seems to stop working when you use the on board flash. He says it basically slows down and shuts off as if the batteries were drained even when they're not. When he uses the camera without flash everything is fine. It works like a charm. I'm going to go down and see the camera tomorrow, bring my own Vivitar 2000 flash and see if the camera works with an external flash or not. But I am wondering what might be causing this power drain situation and if I should be going there at all even with an external flash? Is it just that the bulb is winking out or is this something I really should stay away from? I don't mind using an external flash and he's selling it pretty cheap because of this issue. I'm thinking hard about getting it, using it for a few months till I can get a K-x then keeping it as a backup maybe? Opinions?

10-19-2010, 08:32 PM	#10
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Vivtar 3700 I have a Vivitar 3700 and have used it with the ist DL. It works well as an auto flash with the DL set to manual. The trigger voltage is low, so it's safe. To use it as TTL with the ist D, you would need the proper Vivitar flash module for Pentax TTL.

10-20-2010, 12:36 AM	#12
lowspark86 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southwest Photos: Albums Posts: 157	Originally posted by magkelly Darn, that Vivitar 3700 is probably not going to work then. I got it with my Yashica. There's nothing on it that says Yashica as I recall, but I'll have to check it again just to see if it says anything. I don't really have a designated Pentax flash though. Most of mine seem to be generics. Only one is labeled for a particular camera maker, and that's a Yashica one I think. I may have to just take my chances and hope I can figure out something later flash-wise. You should still be able to trigger whichever flash you want in manual mode, the module is for TTL flash exposure control. As long as the trigger voltage is safe....but you've already looked in to that. There could be just a short or small problem causing the issue with the camera. What I would want to know is what caused the problem - you may not be able to find out. Make sure you get a very good deal on the camera since you really don't know. Last edited by lowspark86; 10-20-2010 at 12:44 AM.

10-19-2010, 02:00 PM	#2
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	If it works fine with the external flash (no battery drain issue) and is a really good deal then go for it. Just keep in mind the resale value isn't going to be much.

10-19-2010, 02:10 PM	#3
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901 Original Poster	I definitely can't quibble at the price. It more than great if the external works. I don't care about the resale value so long as I can get six months or a year out of it really. I still want my K-x but with this in my kit I could afford to wait another six months or a year and maybe even step up to a K-R or a K-7 and in the meantime I'd be able to shoot digital while I am learning which would save me a bundle. The only thing that worries me is that whatever is causing the camera to power down when using the internal flash might cause it to go out completely in a week or two. I'm not sure of what might be wrong. If it's just a question of using an external flash I'm all set there.

10-19-2010, 02:45 PM	#4
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	It sounds to me like it might be a short created when the flash is popped up. If that is the case it should have no effect on anything as long as the flash is closed.

10-19-2010, 03:01 PM	#5
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901 Original Poster	I'm really hoping that's the case. That sounds like what he's describing actually. Originally posted by Parallax It sounds to me like it might be a short created when the flash is popped up. If that is the case it should have no effect on anything as long as the flash is closed.

10-19-2010, 03:05 PM	#6
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	The ist D is a good camera. I got a used one for my wife when she thought she'd like to try photography. I keep thinking about buying her something more modern so that I can steal her ist D to use as my "carry everywhere" camera.

10-19-2010, 03:12 PM	#7
chalion Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 628	I know a site that's selling K2000 new w/the kit lens (mark II) for $369.99 + $5.00 shipping, with a 1 year Pentax warranty. They also accept paypal as a payment method: http://moofi.woot.com/moofi/tuxedo moofi.woot.com/moofi/tuxedo I've been buying from them for years and have been pretty happy with their deals. I bought my K100D from them about 30 months ago.

10-19-2010, 07:00 PM	#8
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901 Original Poster	These are the flash units I currently own. Has anyone used one of these safely on their *ist? I'm gathering that the Vivitar 2000 might be a problem, but I can't quite tell from what I am reading on the others here: Secrets of Powershot Flash Photography Vivitar 2000 Kamero KA 70 Flash Yashica CS-201 Auto Flash Sun Blitz 100 flash unit Hanimex XS 14 flash unit Vivitar auto thyristor 3700 flash unit. Thanks!

10-19-2010, 07:29 PM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	If TTL works with an external flash, go for it I still use my *istD with my AF 500 FTZ and my M42 lenses it is a very capable little camera

10-19-2010, 10:11 PM	#11
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901 Original Poster	Darn, that Vivitar 3700 is probably not going to work then. I got it with my Yashica. There's nothing on it that says Yashica as I recall, but I'll have to check it again just to see if it says anything. I don't really have a designated Pentax flash though. Most of mine seem to be generics. Only one is labeled for a particular camera maker, and that's a Yashica one I think. I may have to just take my chances and hope I can figure out something later flash-wise.