dave_jonsson3 Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 Does anybody know if the Sunpak MZ440AF-PT, for a film Pentax, will work OK on a K10D? This flash is a Pentax-dedicated no options model (full TTL only, all the time) that works great on my ZX-5n. I guess I'm also wondering, even if it doesn't work TTL, will trying it out on the K10D damage the camera? Pentax only mentions their own brand of flash, and Sunpak, in their web page, leaves it vague whether any digitals will work with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveish182 Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 I have no experience with the flash you ask about but I have used an old Cullmann flash on my DL, the issues that are talked about with older flash on digital seem to relate more to problems with Canon bodies. I would assume that a flash producing similiar or lower trigger voltage to Pentax flashes will be safe to use. This site has tests of trigger voltages of many flash guns but I don't see a reference to the model you mention: http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html Hope that is of some help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
personalphotos Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 I own the camera but have no experience with the flash in question. But the film flash units from both Pentax and after market manufactures will generally not work with the K110,K100 or K10D in TTL mode. The reason is the digital sensor sensitivity is different that that of film. The TTL mode will always overexpose the digital cameras' images by 2-3 stops or more. The camera's manual only mentions the 360 and 540 flash units for that reason. This incompatibility is the same for Canon's, Nikon's and others as well for the same reasons. Now that being said you may have some very good luck with the flash in the 'Auto' mode if it has one. I use an AF280T and a AF400T on my K10D and the results are great. So give it a try in auto (it won't damage the camera) and see what happens. You may have to adjust the EV setting on the camera to change the exposure depending on the flash but for me the 280 and 400 both work fine with zero EV correction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godfrey Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 The K10D requires P-TTL for through-lens flash metering operation and that Sunpak does not support it. I wouldn't put anything on the hotshoe that had a trigger voltage over 6V. You can measure that yourself: with the flash off camera and a Volt-Ohm-Meter set to DC Volts, turn on the flash and let it charge up. Check between the center post and the side contact in the hot shoe rails for voltage with the probes. You can use flashes that have a higher trigger voltage with a Wein Safe Sync to protect the camera's circuitry. Godfrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afs760bf Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 I would agree with Godfrey about the Safe Sync. Forty bucks is better than ruining your camera. You'd be amazed at some of the trigger voltages old flashes put out. The old, small Sunpak vertical flashes like the 321, 411, etc, can crank out over 200 volts at the hot shoe. I measured all the flashes I have. Even the 444D comes in at about 11 volts. The older flashes should work OK on Auto with the camera on M or X, I think. Now that I have the Safe Sync, I'm going to try a couple and see what kind of results I get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_jonsson3 Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 Thanks to all, and especially Peter Zack. I too, have the AF280T, and I will try it in auto mode on my K10D. I just priced the cheaper of the two Pentax flashes for the K10D---three hundred bucks!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
personalphotos Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I want to also thank the guys about flash trigger voltages. I had no idea some of the older flashes could put out that kind of voltage!!! Sorry for any possibly misleading info I posted. (that's what they say, don't believe everything you read on the net!) I'll be more careful as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_jonsson3 Posted April 11, 2007 Author Share Posted April 11, 2007 Well I did try the AF280T and it works great in Auto mode and has lots of power. Kinda heavy for the K10D, though. I'm going to try other auto flashes that have low trigger voltages and are lighter. Now I'm wondering if second curtain synch will work with this auto flash. Hmmmm....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_walsh Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 how to use on K10D?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvin_haak Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Hi, Well I have here this sunpack and the K100D. I was wondering if there were any 'tricks' on this site of how to make better use of it then 'manual'. With 4.7 Volts, the trigger-voltage is no problem, but the TTL-function doesn't work and the compensation in the body is not doing enough. Actually in auto-function the body actually takes 1/30 second pictures when the flash is enabled with a wide angle lens. I tried to tape the contacts on the foot of the flash but still no good results; the camera just doesn't recognise the flash. with the Pentax Flash AF240Z, the body does exactly as it should do: makes a good picture without any further compensation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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