DL2 compatible flash.

I did not want to hijack other people's postings so I have begun a new one in a very similar vein to others.

I appreciate that these sort of questions come up all the time, but can anyone tell me whether a Cobra D500 + Pentax module would work with my DL2. I'm afraid of experimenting in case it damages the camera circuitry. However, I've read the DL2 manual several times and I still can't find anywhere that tells me how to use a non-Pentax flash gun. What about red-eye reduction and other functions would they work?

So, once again help would be very much welcomed.

Howard

Since initiating this post I have bought a volt meter and have done some measuring. To my great surprise I get a reading of only 3v. Is this possible? With another older and basic Jessops model I get reading of over 300v, and with a Vivitar my brother gave me a reading 6.9v, so the voltmeter must be working. I am following the instructions carefully.

Another question - possibly a silly one - can I use the Vivitar although it says it's a Canon/Rikoh model?? I think it's a Vivitar553.

As always - thanks in advance.

Howard

I don't know if home multimeters will be good enough to measure voltages across the flash, they build up to a high level then discharge almost instantly, so the meter probably won't be able to recognise it, or will at least not give an accurate reading.

What you are testing (as I understand it) is whether the flash discharges through the hot-shoe circuit, or whether shorting the hot-shoe circuit triggers the discharge through a different circuit.

If the former, the measured voltage will be hundreds of volts (as it is with my (very) old Bowens studio flash unit, and some early Vivitars).

If the latter, the voltage almost certainly will be in single figures, or just over.

You are NOT trying to measure the actual discharge.

It is my belief that this whole question is really a non-issue. For many years, flashguns have used a separate circuit to trigger the flash. I doubt if a single flash unit made in the last fifteen years has discharged through the trigger circuit.

And even if you are unlucky enough to find such a flashgun, Pentax cameras have traditionally been able to handle it. I haven't tried the K10D with the Bowens yet, but all my other Pentax cameras (including the *ist D) have handled the Bowens without a problem.

This is all blown out of proportion by people like Wein, who make a lot of money out of selling expensive and unnecessary junk to frightened photographers. You are much more likely to be killed in a car crash than you are to damage your camera with a flashgun.

G

Hi George,

What I thought I was measuring was the trigger voltage as per the article and instructions here -

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/G1strobe.html

I know the main article refers to Canon but it seemed relevant to any other camera/flash.

If I was not doing so then it's down to my ignorance. However I was very interested to read your comments and Although I'm not sure if I'll put the latter theory to the test.

Thanks also AlfaFoxtrot for your response, as I said above I was only following instructions.

Howard

You can only measure the actual trigger voltage at the instant of triggering, and for one reason or another it might differ somewhat from the voltage across the terminals when they have not been shorted.

But it's irrelevant. If there is just a small voltage across the terminals when you do the measuring, then you can (I believe) safely assume that you will not suddenly find 500 volts going through when you press the shutter.

G