Pentax Flash

How do I get my Pentax AF200s Flash to work on my Pentax k1000? I set the flash unit onto the horse shoe of the camera but when I take a photo no flash pops up. I Set the shutter speed to 60 (where the orange "x" is located), the ISO speeds match up on the flash and the camera, I have tested the flash and it works fine, put brand new batteries too. HELP!!!!

Make sure the flash is firmly seated in the hot shoe. If it's not making good physical contact with the hot shoe, the flash won't be triggered.

Also, check the hot shoe and the flash contacts for tarnish or corrosion. You may need to clean the hot shoe with a Q-tip dipped in some rubbing alcohol to get rid of tarnish; same for the flash contacts.

The flash should be set to Auto, which I believe is red or green on the back. White is manual (full power flash).

Here's how the flash works on a K1000: You set the shutter speed to 1/60 or slower (that's why the X is there). You set set the ISO on the flash, then look over at the scale. If the flash power is set to green, choose the aperture by the green line. If the flash is set to red, choose the aperture by the red line. Red has more output than green. The maximum range for automatic is 12' for green and 24' for red (that should correspond to your flash, I hope).

Now if you've cleaned the contacts and they are definitely making good physical contact with each other, and you're still not getting a flash, then there's three possibilities: 1) the flash is bad; 2) the camera's hot shoe is dead or 3) both 1 and 2). You can test 1) by trying another SLR (just go to the camera store and try one of the SLRs there). You can test 2) by trying another flash (well, as long as you're in the store for the test of the flash, why not?).

Hopefully, it's just a dirty flash contact.

Edit: I don't know why people wonder if the flash is compatible. The K1000 has a non-dedicated hotshoe and the flash has both manual and automatic outputs; the dedication only works with cameras that have the right contacts in the hot shoe. With non-dedicated Pentaxes, the flash is either manual or automatic, without dedication. If they don't know this, they shouldn't answer.

2007-10-13 14:18:50 by RJ213LA

Pentax, Flash, AF360FGZ, hotshoe, trigger, flash unit, wireless slave mode, bounce flash, k100d,

I'm looking at a Pentax K110D DSLR on ebay, and the only problem recorded is that the flash doesn't work. How much do you think that general flash repair would cost? he also said that the hotshoe for external flashes works and syncs fine.

Hi "I don't know",

Based on my experience getting quotes on DSLR repairs over the last few years, I would be very surprised if you could get it fixed for less than $300. If you're very lucky and it's only a loose connection, or some other trivial repair that doesn't require any replacement parts, you might get it done for only around $200.

I assume you mean ebay item #200334441854, from seller "iwc", as that's the only current eBay auction for a K110D with a broken flash:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentax-K110D-18-55mm -6-1-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera_W0QQitemZ2003 34441854QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Camer as?hash=item2ea4dcfd7e&_trksid=p3286 .c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2 %7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3 A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

The US$270 he's asking for a broken K110D with the first version* of the kit 18-55 lens is too high. You should be able to find one in perfect working order for that price or less.

Here's a new display model, in perfect working order, with the same lens, plus a 1GB memory card, and with full manufacturer's warranty, that sold recently for $200:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTAX-K110D-DIGITAL -SLR-w-18-55MM-LENS-IN-BOX-w-WTY_W0QQite mZ130303262626QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital _Cameras?hash=item1e56adffa2&_trksid =p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65% 3A13%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C2 93%3A1%7C294%3A50

Here are all the recent K110D auctions:

http://completed.shop.ebay.com/items/Dig ital-Cameras__k110d-remote-fisheye-cable -cover-cheatsheets_W0QQ_nkwZk110dQ20Q2dr emoteQ20Q2dfisheyeQ20Q2dcableQ20Q2dcover Q20Q2dcheatsheetsQQLHQ5fCompleteZ1QQ_dmp tZDigitalQ5fCamerasQQ_flnZ1QQ_sacatZ3138 8QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em283?MA2ShowItem s&_rdc=1&guest=1


It's hard to say what a reasonable current market price for iwc's broken one should be, because the seller could get lucky and find a buyer that didn't plan on using the built-in flash anyway, but I would guess around $125 - $150, including the lens.

I would suggest monitoring K110D auctions with kit lens and bidding about $200 until you win. And you will win within a month or so at that price. If you're in a hurry, make it $225 or so.

But I would avoid iwc's broken one unless he drops the price at least down to $150, and then only if you plan to live without the built-in flash, not try to get it repaired.


Good luck and have fun!

Greg


*There have been three versions of this lens. That first one was very good, but the current "II" version is even better. There is also a more lightweight, trimmed down "DA L" version with the same glass.

2009-05-04 13:33:18 by I don't know.

Price: $256.00 $229.89

Tilt-Swivel flash head
Metal foot with fast lock
Firmware update via integrated USB port

I need a flash for my Pentax and i can't find one anywhere.

A Vivitar 283 or 285 should work just fine with your camera. You should find several on eBay. Just be sure to ask questions:

Is the battery compartment clean and free of corrosion or battery leakage?

Is the "foot" (the part that slides into the "shoe" on top of your camera) free of cracks? (The "foot" was a weak point on the 283.)

Does the unit power-up as it should? (If a Seller tells you they don't have batteries for it - it takes 4 AA - then avoid them. If they are too cheap or incompetent to install 4 batteries why would you trust them?)

Does it have the Off-Camera Sensor and the PC cord? (You'll need the Off-Camera Sensor if you buy a flash bracket.)

Does the original Owner's Manual come with it?

I recently used a Vivitar 283 I purchased new in Feb 1976 - 32 years ago!

2008-02-03 05:40:19 by The Meakster

Price: $479.95

54 guide number
Variety of auto flash functions, including P-TTL
Automatically adjusts discharge angle to focal length on select lenses

I just found my dad's old Canon 166A flash (from a Canon AE-1). I'm going to a wedding tonight and I'm wondering if it'll work in my Pentax K100D DSLR. Will it work?

All of the Canon A-series flashes are safe voltage wise for use with any modern cameras. The Canon AE-1 has electronics that are even more sensitive than those found in most digital cameras, so all of the A-series flashes have a sync voltage of 6 volts.

With that said, though, I'm not sure how the two extra communication pins on the Canon flash would interact with the Pentax. If you are going to use it, I'd suggest using a piece of electrical tape to cover everything in the Pentax hotshoe except the big center contact.

Honestly, though, you won't really be gaining anything over the built-in popup flash. That's really the purpose that flashes like the 166A served in the Canon product line in the days before built-in pop-up flash existed. I believe the power is pretty comparable to the pop-up flashes in most SLRs.

2007-10-27 10:30:59 by Parand

I'm buying one as a gift for my husband, but don't even know what brands are reliable. He does a lot of nature photography right now, but says he needs a flash so he can do indoor stuff. My price range is less than $150. His photography skills would probably be best described as experienced amateur. I'm looking for something that's fairly good quality - the best bang for my buck. Suggestions please?

Take a look at the Vivitar 285HV. Its about $90.00 at B&H ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com ).

NOTE: There is an older Vivitar 285 which you DO NOT want. Make certain you order the 285HV.

This flash is 100% Manual but since your husband is an "advanced amateur" he shouldn't have any problems figuring it out. A careful reading of the Manual that comes with the flash should have him happily flashing away in no time.

****** EDIT ******

When I used the term "manual" to describe the flash it was in reference to there being no TTL interface between camera and flash.

2009-12-02 19:54:06 by squat