Pentax MX Hot Shoe Size

Not a Number · 01-13-2020, 06:27 AM

It would be interesting to actuate the right switch only on some of the models with two switches to see what functions are enabled or disabled.

It would make sense to not popup the built in flash when an external flash is mounted on the shoe.

When did Asahi/Pentax introduce the flash shoe cover?

stevebrot · 01-13-2020, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

Though that doesn’t give any hints about the pop up flash disabling

-Eric

Except that presence of the pin(s)/switch(es) goes back to the earliest Pentax hot shoes and has a very specific historic primary purpose. I don't own any cameras with popup flash and could not test whether it might also disable auto-popup.

Steve

stevebrot · 01-13-2020, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

It would be interesting to actuate the right switch only on some of the models with two switches to see what functions are enabled or disabled.

I tested that on the models I own in regards to the PC connectors. The switches on those cameras are wired in parallel.

Originally posted by Not a Number

It would make sense to not popup the built in flash when an external flash is mounted on the shoe.

Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup?

Steve

**TwoUptons** · 01-13-2020, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I tested that on the models I own in regards to the PC connectors. The switches on those cameras are wired in parallel.

Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup?

Steve

I think some of the MZ/ZX bodies did, in certain modes.
Though my memory may be confounding that behavior with something else...

I’ll try a ZX-£ when I get home...

-Eric

torashi · 01-13-2020, 11:31 AM

I just checked, and can confirm. As you can see in the picture, there's the little switch on the hot shoe that let's the camera know something's there. You can also see the cover.

I thought it wouldn't let the flash pop up, but it does. Makes sense if you're using both the on board flash and the hot shoe adapter FG.
What I found is that it just limits the shutter speed to the maximum flash sync speed of the camera (ZX-L, 1/125th sec.).

torashi · 01-13-2020, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup?

The ZX-L does in auto picture mode, which is good since you want to be in control in any other mode. It is also probably the reason why the button is electronic, instead of a hard bypass switch and lever like on my MZ-S and K-5. They both flash the lightning flash sign inside and outside the viewfinder like begging for flash under the right circumstances.

Not a Number · 01-13-2020, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup?

Should be the models with the infamous solenoid to popup the flash. Example from the K-x manual (see middle of page 69)

stevebrot · 01-13-2020, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Should be the models with the infamous solenoid to popup the flash.

The *istDS has auto popup, while the *istD (mechanical latch) does not. Both are pictured on the front of the manual with hot shoe covers. Doing a quick survey of my Pentax manual library, cover photos/illustrations with hot shoe covers seem to start with the ZX/MZ series bodies.

Steve

01-13-2020, 11:31 AM	#20
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	I just checked, and can confirm. As you can see in the picture, there's the little switch on the hot shoe that let's the camera know something's there. You can also see the cover. I thought it wouldn't let the flash pop up, but it does. Makes sense if you're using both the on board flash and the hot shoe adapter FG. What I found is that it just limits the shutter speed to the maximum flash sync speed of the camera (ZX-L, 1/125th sec.). Last edited by torashi; 01-13-2020 at 11:47 AM.

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01-13-2020, 06:27 AM	#16
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It would be interesting to actuate the right switch only on some of the models with two switches to see what functions are enabled or disabled. It would make sense to not popup the built in flash when an external flash is mounted on the shoe. When did Asahi/Pentax introduce the flash shoe cover?

01-13-2020, 09:43 AM	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by TwoUptons Though that doesn’t give any hints about the pop up flash disabling -Eric Except that presence of the pin(s)/switch(es) goes back to the earliest Pentax hot shoes and has a very specific historic primary purpose. I don't own any cameras with popup flash and could not test whether it might also disable auto-popup. Steve

01-13-2020, 09:58 AM	#18
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number It would be interesting to actuate the right switch only on some of the models with two switches to see what functions are enabled or disabled. I tested that on the models I own in regards to the PC connectors. The switches on those cameras are wired in parallel. Originally posted by Not a Number It would make sense to not popup the built in flash when an external flash is mounted on the shoe. Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup? Steve

01-13-2020, 10:05 AM	#19
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,214	Originally posted by stevebrot I tested that on the models I own in regards to the PC connectors. The switches on those cameras are wired in parallel. Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup? Steve I think some of the MZ/ZX bodies did, in certain modes. Though my memory may be confounding that behavior with something else... I’ll try a ZX-£ when I get home... -Eric

01-13-2020, 11:58 AM	#21
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	Originally posted by stevebrot Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup? The ZX-L does in auto picture mode, which is good since you want to be in control in any other mode. It is also probably the reason why the button is electronic, instead of a hard bypass switch and lever like on my MZ-S and K-5. They both flash the lightning flash sign inside and outside the viewfinder like begging for flash under the right circumstances.

01-13-2020, 12:26 PM	#22
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by stevebrot Have any Pentax cameras featured auto popup? Should be the models with the infamous solenoid to popup the flash. Example from the K-x manual (see middle of page 69)

01-13-2020, 01:30 PM	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number Should be the models with the infamous solenoid to popup the flash. The istDS has auto popup, while the istD (mechanical latch) does not. Both are pictured on the front of the manual with hot shoe covers. Doing a quick survey of my Pentax manual library, cover photos/illustrations with hot shoe covers seem to start with the ZX/MZ series bodies. Steve