Extension cord + Hotshoe adapter

Why are the extension cord F, and the hotshoe adapter F so expensive?
Its over £50 for both of them!

Are there any alternatives to use a flash off camera in the same way, without using as slave?

I'll push this to the top cos I would like to know the answer also please.

They are ridiculously expensive, but you can get a cheaper alternative off e-bay for around 15quid, which has the on and off camera adapters + cord as one complete unit. I can't find one listed at the moment but they do come up regularly

Or you can get lucky like I did, when I purchased an AF330FTZ with off camera bracket and got a box of those adapters and cords, 10 adapters with 4 short cords and 2 long ones. All for $80(£35)I kept the ones I wanted and gave the rest away.

Direct from the shop on this site.

i'd be inclined towards that one on ephotozine, on my Christmas list

I don't see that that has any advantages over using a Pentax flash wirelesslyespecially as it doesn't support P-TTL, or even TTL.

Pentax hotshoe adapters come up for sale occasionally second hand. Thats how I got mine, for a really good price (both adapters and the cable for less than the price of the cable).

if using a cable is convenient thats good but I can see the benefits of going wireless where a cable is impractical. I can see the use of both so am keeping an eye out for a long 4P cable too.

http://tinyurl.com/5so7j4
(long ebay link)

would that work, and support p-ttl?

Pentax wireless flash spec. is up to 4 meters, beyond that it can be unreliable.

They say they do support P-TTL but I have never used one to comfim it

I too baulked at the price of the dedicated cable/adapter set. With my K10D and Metz 58AF-1 I use wireless with the pop-up as controller for shots where all the bits are in the right places for this sort of use, applying flash compensation as needed.

Where the subject/camera/flash positions are not appropriate for use of wireless, I use a simple single contact non-dedicated remote cable/adapter and set the flash and camera to fully manual and enjoy the benefits of digital instant chimping/trial and error. I learn a lot by going through this process and can usually get it right pretty quickly these days.

If I'm using flash as remote off-camera I'm taking my time to set it all up in slow time, so don't really need p-ttl or any other auto mode.

Duncan

Try the Nissin Universal Shoe Cord SC-01, it supports P-TTL. 7Day Shop have it for £35 or SRS may have it in stock. I have used it on my K10 with Metz 58-AF1 and it works well.

Similar question, so sorry if I missed something.

I have been an 'available light person' so new to this, and soft-light, macro would prob be first on the list, so off-shoe flash is the option.

I use an ME Super, an MZ5N and a K10.
Would the F cord and the standard two end pieces do the job for all of these?
I also have a rather vintage Miranda multi dedicated 500CD, or a Vivitar Auto Thyristor 550FD to choose from currently, but would purchase a better alternative if these are no brainers.... suggestions welcome - as mentioned, a new departure for me

Thanks!

Thanks for the link. Just ordered one from 7 day.

link