Older non Pentax flashes on *istD

Hi

I have an older flash for my praktica camera which I wondering if it'll work on my *istD. It's an Starblitz 2500 BTZ. It has only the center connector in the hotshoe and work as an auto-flash (light sensor on flash). I'm worried if the flashvoltage could damage the *istD. I've read on the net that newer pentax cameras can handle up to 600 Volt. Is this true for the *istD. And what about the other smaller connectors for data in the hotshoe, they may get in contact with the center pin. I measured the voltage on the centerpin on the flash to about 60Volt when the flash is charged. I talked to Pentax about it and their answer was that I only should use Pentax flashes (of course) and that modern pentax flashes could damage older pentax bodies. I've searched the net for info on this subject without much luck.

/Peter

This is a frequently asked question.

Camera manufacturers love to worry people by suggesting that they should only use the manufacturer's own flashguns on their cameras.

I would certainly not advise trying to use a modern three or four-pin flashgun designed for one make of camera on a different make of camera, but I would have little hesitation in using a simple one-pin flashgun on any camera. Other (more cautious) souls may offer different advice.

I have never come across anybody with first-hand experience of a flashgun damaging a camera, and I personally have used loads of different flashguns on loads of different makes of camera.

Obviously, you should ensure that the gun is well-seated in the hotshoe.

Good luck, and please tell me if it all goes wrong. Then I'll offer different advice next time!

Incidentally, the *ist D is nothing if not a "newer Pentax camera".

I'd be trying to get an answer from a more authoritative source.
It depends on what electronic device is used to trigger the flash and what maximum voltage/current it's rated at. If they use a triac device then I'd be a little cautious about the 600v claim. I'd even be cautious with 60v at the sync terminal. These older flashes were made in an era when they were triggered by a mechanical contact rather than electronic switch.
I use a Nissin hammerhead flash on my *istD but the voltage on the terminals is just 4.9v

If you can find a "more authoritative source", then the whole photographic world will be forever in your debt.

However, like the elephants' graveyard, King Solomon's Mines, and, dare I say it, weapons of mass destruction, authoritative sources on this topic have been hard to find.

The camera manufacturers simply tell you to use their own products, and the flash manufacturers don't provide any information on their older products.

So far, I have heard various statements about high flash voltages, but I have used a number of cameras, including my present Super A and Z1-P on all sorts of flash units, including a Starblitz I bought secondhand in 1979, and several old studio flashes, and have never had a problem.

If anybody DOES have negative experience, it would be good to hear from them.

I just got my *istD a couple of weeks ago, I have a ME super that I purchased new in 1980, with a Vivitar zoom Thyristor 3500 flash. I have used the Vivitar flash with my *istD without any negative effect. It seems to work fine.

I just tested the voltage on the 2 pins, it sits at 6v and goes to 0v then spikes to 9v after flash is discharged.