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Someone mentioned this in a thread in the Beginner's forums:
Amazon.com: SMDV Hot Shoe Hotshoe Safe Sync Adapter SM-512 for Pentax K-5, K-r, K-7, K-m, x70, X90, K200d, K20d, K100D Super, K10D, K110D,K100D, *ist DL2, *ist DS2, *ist DL, *ist DS, K2000, K-X: Camera & Photo
It looks like an affordable alternative to the Wein Safe-Sync, so I bought one. Total cost was about $19, delivered. Comparred to $50 or $60 for a Wein, that's a steal.
It arrived yesterday. The build quality looks okay. However, it doesn't seem to work consistently, at least for me.
I tried two different Vivitar 283 flashes. Both fire just fine on a Pentax K1000. Both have trigger voltage of more than 100 volts. When I put them on the adapter, however, neither the K1000 or my K10D will trigger them. I even tried a direct short on the adapter's hotshoe, off camera. No luck. Neither flash worked using either the hotshoe or PC cord.
I tried a Honeywell Strobonar 770, via PC cord. Same thing. The K1000 will trigger it fine, but neither camera will trigger it through the adapter.
I also tried a small Rollei Strobonar 280S. Same.
I was beginning to think I had just received a bad copy, when I tried it on a Promaster 5500, that I normally use with my K10D. This one fires perfectly on the adapter. Ironically, its the only one with a safe trigger voltage or about 8 volts.
The internal battery check (it uses a CR2032 battery) shows the battery is okay.
Any ideas? Has anyone used one of these successfully, with a Vivitar 283?