Sunpak flash

[jean_b.]

<p>Hi everyone, there are two reasons that I don't use flash: 1) I don't like the look of most photographs taken with flash (though, of course, there may be those that are so well done that I don't know they were taken with flash); and 2) I don't know much about them ;-). Looking through my photo junk box I found this Sunpak flash with manual that I now recall someone gave me a long time ago. Can this be used on my K-5? Might be my chance to start experimenting with flash photography.</p><div></div>

[Member69643]

<p>It'd be easier to help, if you had a pic of the back of the actual flash and the flash foot. That can tell you a lot.</p>

[stemked]

Jean,

 

Probably the flash was made for an older film body. There is some risk that the flash could damage your hotshoe, so

I would advise against just trying it out without knowing first.

[jean_b.]

<p>Patrick: photos below.<br>

Douglas: my worries exactly! Any doubt and I'm not trying it.</p><div></div>

[jean_b.]

<p>Another.</p><div></div>

[donnie_strickland]

<p>What you need to find out, is how much voltage is present at the flash foot. If you have a volt/ohm meter (VOM), test the voltage at the 2 contacts:<br /><br />1) The center contact on the bottom of the foot, and</p>

<p>2) The metal contact located somewhere on the top side of the square portion of the foot.</p>

<p>You're looking for something around 6 volts, more or less. Some flashes can have as much as 250V, which would fry your K5! If the voltage is ok, you're good to go.</p>

[htarragon]

<p>I looked up your flash on<a href="http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html"> http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html</a> but I didn't see the model (among may Sunpaks). Might the manual say what the voltage is?</p>

 

[donnie_strickland]

<p>Yes, that list has been around for a few years (I have it bookmarked), but of the many flashes on that list, some of the same models have widely different voltages depending on their production dates. Thus my suggestion of checking the voltage...I don't use any older flashes on my DSLR without checking the voltage first, regardless of what the chart says.</p>

[jean_b.]

<p>Thanks everyone for your responses. I finally got some batteries charged and found my voltmeter. I measured around 0.75 volts. Could it be that low? From the link that was sent I found only two units that were 0.X volts (though one was a Sunpak). I put two Eneloops in series and measured 2.8 volts, which is not exactly what it should be (should be around 2.4 volts for two NiMH batteries) but isn't too far off so the voltmeter probably isn't faulty.</p>

[michael_elenko]

<p>I have a Sunpak 383 Super which measures anywhere from 3.74-10.29V on that list. I've been using the strobe on my K20D for the past 3 years with zero problems. I really like the flash and find the thyristor to be more accurate than PTTL ever was.<br>

Jean I recommend you shoot in M on the camera and the appropriate Auto setting on the flash. If your model has incremental output choices, experiment with 1/4 and 1/2 prior to using it for something important.</p>

<p>ME</p>

[donnie_strickland]

<p>Test fire the flash a few times (off the camera) and measure again. If the voltage measures the same every time, then I'd say your testing is correct and it's OK to try the flash on your camera.</p>

[hinman]

<p>I tried to look up the reported voltage by users and others in this link</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html">http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html</a></strong></p>

<p>but I can't find your flash model with Sunpak autozoom 600 while I see quite a number Sunpak models. If you have the user manual, check if there is an alternative model number. Sometime Sunpak have different model numbers for the same model depending on countries where the flash was sold/exported to.<br /> <br /><br />You are doing the right thing in testing the triggered voltage with a voltmeter before trying it out on your Pentax digital. Try to get a consistent reading and use that as a marker. I don't remember the exact safe voltage guideline for Pentax. I vaguely recall 15 volts (or 30 volt), please use caution on my quoted number as I don't remember it correctly. If you see something around and less than 6volts, that should be safe to use for the Pentax. <br /> <br />A very reasonable <strong><a href="http://www.techtheman.com/2008/12/sunpak-422d-thyristor-flash-pentax-f-35.html">Sunpak 422D flash</a></strong> that I recommended and used before was reported to trigger around 6 volts<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/3133580741_84e71eb3e7.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="500" /><br /><br /><br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3133578617_809779ceb7_z.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>The Sunpak 422D has both a swivel and bounce head, and the manual control from 1/2 to 1/16 of power. The 422D has a pluggable module for Pentax use. </p>

[Member69643]

<p>I'll add a bit of cautionary info - from what I have seen, Pentax digital cameras are pretty resistant to voltage. I've used some high(er) voltage ones and have never had a problem with Pentax - which is not to say that small, incremental damage can't add up over time and eventually kill the hotshoe. I've measured my own Sunpak 383 Super (incidentally the BEST nondedicated flash ever made) and it's below 6V, so I feel pretty safe using it on all my digital bodies and have never had an issue using it.</p>

<p>DO NOT ever use a high voltage flash on any Olympus m43 bodies. It will, absolutely, fry the hot shoe. Trust me. :)</p>

[MattB.Net]

<p>The higher voltage flashes are also great for using with remote triggers so if you end up with one you can't mount on your camera just put it on a Cactus (or whatever).</p>

[trw]

Pentaxs usually are ok up to 25V

(but don't quote me on that if your

camera dies)