Flash isolator

I've been wondering if there is such a thing available. Much like a hot shoe adaptor, but will electrically isolate the flash from the camera so that a high voltage flash could be used safely.

I know that a wireless trigger would do the job, but a neat hot shoe adapter could be a useful no fuss gadget to have handy sometimes.

Wein SafeSync.

Or you can make your own if you are that way inclined.




These are the basic components required




& this is one I made earlier, built into a hotshoe adapter.







I have also built this circuit into an old Vivtar 273 which had a trigger voltage of 327v! It is now safe at 6v. Couple of images here >>>>>>>> link

First check if you need it.

Put a voltmeter across the flash terminals while the unit is charged.

You won't find many flashguns that have a voltage of more than about 20. And that's fine on a Pentax.

For the price of a Wein you could buy a suitable second-hand flashgun.

G

All good advice but a lot of older flashes have trigger voltages over 100v. I have several that have a trigger voltage of 200v+. Most newer flashes will have a low trigger voltage.

That mirrors an interesting discussion I had with Pentax last summer, prior to buying a K10D, re the compatibility of all my equipment and while lens etc were all fine the one thing I was told was,

"do not directly connect my Vivitar 283 to the hot shoe adaptor or any flash connector"

it will destroy the camera.

I have a full 283 kit (use it on my old KM) with grip, bracket, filters etc and would dearly love to use it with my K10D but I am almost resigned to getting an AF540.

Peter

Peter,

Check the trigger voltage of your 283 - mine is under 20v and I have used it extensively on my Samsung GX1S without any damage.

As I understand it trigger voltage is dependent on where and when it was manufactured some 283s are over 200v some under 20v.

Did Pentax specify a safe trigger voltage for the K10d?

They mentioned a figure sub 20V, but said that its better to be in single digits. I will find some batteries and stick a digital volt meter across the contacts and see what I get.

Peter

Offer Andy/B1gdaddy something to make you one of his hotshoe adaptors. Would likely to be a fraction of the cost of a new flash (even the sort that comes on rolls and can be written on )

Kris.

I used to have an old Metz flashgun and it didn't have a flash test button so, I used to short the coax plug with a ballpoint pen. I then noticed that none of my pens would work (to write with). When I looked at the tips of the ballpoints the balls had all been welded to the brass bodies

I've since used a non-powered slave flash receiver/trigger when I use a powerful flashgun fired by the deflected flash on the camera.

shim

The Pentax AF400t is 100v - it says so on the rating plate. Works fine with digital bodies.