AF200T and K-m

No problems Paul. I'm quite sure that all Pentax flashes are low voltage and safe on digital cameras. I've used quite a few on my K20D without any problems.

Cheers Algi, as those AF200FG's are far too much money for me, it's good not to give up on the old stuff, well that's what my wife says, about me
;-(
thanks
Paul

Pentax have yet to publish any official figures for safe voltages but I doubt the modern digital flashguns have voltages much lower than these. There's a website somewhere with a table of measured trigger voltages - I checked these myself with a voltmeter and got the same results. Just set the meter to show DC volts, turn the flash on, and touch one probe to each of the contacts (the one in the groove on the side of the mount, and the central one on the base).

I would still check any old flash before using it. For all I know there could be a few rogue ones about with internal faults causing high trigger voltages, so it's worth checking.

I would surmise that any Pentax flash with the "Program" setting (they often have an "SA" suffix) will work in P mode with the K-m. I know my AF200SA, AF200T, and AF240Z all do although I don't think the older AF200S does.

Thank you Matt for some sound advice,I certainly will check.
Thank you
Paul

Pentax flashes will work on Pentax bodies without any risks/problems, just contact Pentax if you aren't sure

Here is the list with the trigger voltages. link
Pentax probably has a standard ISO hotshoe so voltage of 24 volt shouldn't be a problem, as you can see all the Pentax flashes listed don't even come close to that figure.

Thank you Stefan

What impresses me is that Pentax included the old Program flash compatibility in the K-m. They could just as easily have said "P-TTL or manual, that's all", but they didn't.

On the K-m with a program flash you vary aperture by changing the ISO setting. A bit crude, but it works and you'd probably end up using a similar technique manually (unless you're using an AF200T in which case you have manual control over the power output). Interestingly mine will pick suitable apertures in between the settings listed on the back of the flash too.

Thank you Matt,
This is very useful information , saves me from all the hard work of discovery, I can get straight into it now.
Paul

The AF200T won't be quite like that - I was thinking about my AF240Z at the time.

On the AF200T if you set the camera to "P" and the flash to either red or green Auto mode you'll get basic communication. The camera will set the correct aperture and shutter speed when the flash is ready. Just make sure that the lens you're using can open to the aperture the flash wants - IIRC the red mode will try to set to f4 at 100 ISO, which is only possible with the kit lens when it's set to 18mm or so.

I can't remember what effect changing the ISO has on this flash - you'll have to try it and find out.

My AF200s arrived today ,it looks and feels brand new, with its case, not a mark on it anywhere, did the voltage check centre pin to outside collar pin, 7.6 volts with a new fully charged set on nicads, really happy with it a good constant flash, certainly beats the flash on the KM, in addition I bought a pentax slave flash from the shop. think the next thing on the list is the cokin filters. anyone else use the cokin system, I'd be very interested in any comment and advice on flash , the slave flash , and cokin system.
Paul

It is worth buying a diffuser, although I don't think the one I mentioned in another thread would fit the AF200T.