conflicting advice

I have read that you cannot use pre digital pentax flashes on digital cameras due to a voltage difference. I now read on the forum that this is not correct. I have a pentax AF280T flash that I would like to use with my K10. Can someone offer me correct advice, please

Who is telling you, you can't use them ???

I have used just about every pentax flash made on my K100, K10 and K20 and not once has any sparks gone through my eyes and out the back of head.

I have already stated, as others have that the AF280T is perfectly safe on your K10, I am living proof of that.

I have read over the past couple of years that a Pentax DSLR can handle anything from 30 volts to 300 volts. fear not, put the flash on your camera and fire away.

I use a Pentax AF160 on mine. And a Canon old something or other and a Cobra Multi-dedicated 240 ( I think).

Obviously, the old flashes are limited, but can be used fully manually.

You need to be certain about trigger voltage. Some older flashes have very high trigger voltages and can, apparanlty, fry the electronics in a DSLR.

I would think the AF280 would probably be OK

The information you were given in the other post in the 'flash' section was correct, you can use the AF280 without any problems.

Correct advice coming up:-

1: ALL Pentax badged flashes having a hot shoe will fit ALL Pentax cameras having a hot shoe.
2: The flashes in 1: above will work with the bodies in 1: above, with some limitations in some cases.
3: Specifically, your AF280T will work with your K10D, but will not use it's TTL capability because TTL is not supported by the K10D (only the *istD and *istDS (maybe the *istDS2 as well) are TTL compatible). You can use the AF280T in fully manual mode or one of the two auto modes. If you set the flash to Auto/TTL, it will ALWAYS fully discharge so you'll have to use trial and error, distance charts, or a flash meter to achieve correct exposure.

As I said in the previous thread, I use my K10D and AF280T quite often with no ill effects whatsoever. The unit also has switcheable power options for low and high output which are quite handy.

Thanks, guys for your correct advice. I cannot remember where I read it, but it did state that there was a voltage differential and NOT to use the 280 with the K10. Not being a techi person I took the cautious route. I dont need an external flash very often as I tend towards macro but there are times when there is a need. Will try it out somewhen. Regards thoramay.