Old flashes and newer bodies

Steve Beswick · 02-12-2010, 10:41 PM

At what generation of bodies do you need to worry about the trigger voltage of an attached flash? For example, I have a Super Program, A P3n and a P30t. Which of these do I need to be concerned about?

Peter Zack · 02-12-2010, 10:49 PM

That's a good question. With any of the mechanical bodies (right up to the LX) you're good with high trigger voltage units. But with Z, M, P and PZ bodies, some (don't know which) will have electronic triggers. There's where you could have an issue. I wonder if Pentax can tell you or possibly Eric would know for sure.

If it were me, I'd get a safe sync if you value the cameras though.

VF-19 · 02-13-2010, 02:58 AM

Well, I did stick a high voltage flash on my spare MZ-M (I have it for parts, it scratches the film something fierce), and fired off a few shots. Camera appears to be OK.

In any case, I think it would be prudent to only use low voltage flashes on your bodies with electronic triggers, or do what Peter Zack suggested.

Blue · 02-13-2010, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

That's a good question. With any of the mechanical bodies (right up to the LX) you're good with high trigger voltage units. But with Z, M, P and PZ bodies, some (don't know which) will have electronic triggers. There's where you could have an issue. I wonder if Pentax can tell you or possibly Eric would know for sure.

If it were me, I'd get a safe sync if you value the cameras though.

Eric would be the best bet. Pentax has always been dodgy with their answer to this.

keyser · 02-13-2010, 12:28 PM

I would say that if is TTL flash then you should worry, X-Flash not so much. So you should probably worry about your cameras. The Pentax Flahes of the early TTL era were all 6v safe for a reason!

little laker · 02-13-2010, 05:16 PM

I treat all my electronic bodies as if they were digital. the cost of a safe sync or even radio poppers is less than a repair or 2

I really wish that they never stopped making Sync plugs on camera bodies. It's nice having the option, when you aren't sure about a flashes trigger voltage.

Steve Beswick · 02-16-2010, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by little laker

I treat all my electronic bodies as if they were digital. the cost of a safe sync or even radio poppers is less than a repair or 2

I really wish that they never stopped making Sync plugs on camera bodies. It's nice having the option, when you aren't sure about a flashes trigger voltage.

Do you mean it is ok to use a higher voltage flash if I plug it into the PC socket, IE: a handle mount flash?

Peter Zack · 02-16-2010, 03:21 AM

If LL meant that it's not correct. The PC socket is directly connected to the flash trigger circuit and unless the body specifically has a voltage limiter (like the K-7 but not the K20D for example) then using the PC socket is no guarnatee that your camera is protected from a high voltage flash.

02-12-2010, 10:41 PM	#1
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Old flashes and newer bodies At what generation of bodies do you need to worry about the trigger voltage of an attached flash? For example, I have a Super Program, A P3n and a P30t. Which of these do I need to be concerned about?

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02-12-2010, 10:49 PM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	That's a good question. With any of the mechanical bodies (right up to the LX) you're good with high trigger voltage units. But with Z, M, P and PZ bodies, some (don't know which) will have electronic triggers. There's where you could have an issue. I wonder if Pentax can tell you or possibly Eric would know for sure. If it were me, I'd get a safe sync if you value the cameras though.

02-13-2010, 02:58 AM	#3
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	Well, I did stick a high voltage flash on my spare MZ-M (I have it for parts, it scratches the film something fierce), and fired off a few shots. Camera appears to be OK. In any case, I think it would be prudent to only use low voltage flashes on your bodies with electronic triggers, or do what Peter Zack suggested.

02-13-2010, 11:54 AM	#4
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Peter Zack That's a good question. With any of the mechanical bodies (right up to the LX) you're good with high trigger voltage units. But with Z, M, P and PZ bodies, some (don't know which) will have electronic triggers. There's where you could have an issue. I wonder if Pentax can tell you or possibly Eric would know for sure. If it were me, I'd get a safe sync if you value the cameras though. Eric would be the best bet. Pentax has always been dodgy with their answer to this.

02-13-2010, 12:28 PM	#5
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376	I would say that if is TTL flash then you should worry, X-Flash not so much. So you should probably worry about your cameras. The Pentax Flahes of the early TTL era were all 6v safe for a reason!

02-13-2010, 05:16 PM	#6
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I treat all my electronic bodies as if they were digital. the cost of a safe sync or even radio poppers is less than a repair or 2 I really wish that they never stopped making Sync plugs on camera bodies. It's nice having the option, when you aren't sure about a flashes trigger voltage.

02-16-2010, 12:13 AM	#7
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736 Original Poster	Originally posted by little laker I treat all my electronic bodies as if they were digital. the cost of a safe sync or even radio poppers is less than a repair or 2 I really wish that they never stopped making Sync plugs on camera bodies. It's nice having the option, when you aren't sure about a flashes trigger voltage. Do you mean it is ok to use a higher voltage flash if I plug it into the PC socket, IE: a handle mount flash?

02-16-2010, 03:21 AM	#8
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	If LL meant that it's not correct. The PC socket is directly connected to the flash trigger circuit and unless the body specifically has a voltage limiter (like the K-7 but not the K20D for example) then using the PC socket is no guarnatee that your camera is protected from a high voltage flash.