X sync socket problem

Dear Sirs,
I bought Calumet Gensis 200 monolight.
It triigers with photocell and PC sync cord with 5V voltage.
With photocell it works fine. But the time delay in this case
is not acceptable. Because I use Genesis monolight as key light. But in case of photocell it gives1.5-2stop underexposure.
Therefore I want use it via sync cord.
With attached sync cord to my Pentax K20D DSLR camera
the flash fires only on first shoot.
All continuous shoots are without flash. To fire again I must turn off and on again the Genesis monolight or unplug and plug the cord again from camera or monolight. After first flash with sync cord even test button on monolight doesn't work.

If somebody can explain why this happens.
The manual of K20D writes that don't use PC sync socket with high voltage flash units. Then what for this socket on camera.
Thank everybody in advance why try to help me.

Are you using the camera's inbuilt flash to trigger the Genesis? If so, then the camera's pre-flash is triggering the Genesis before the shutter opens and hence underexposure.

Are you allowing the Genesis to re-charge before attempting to take another picture? It should beep when ready.

The 5v trigger voltage is perfectly suitable for your camera, many old flash units have trigger voltages 20 times higher and may damage your camera.

The K7 can trigger the flash without the pre-flash being a problem, which is useful, but that doesn't help with the K20D of course.

I use an IR trigger made by Interfit. A very small flash in the hotshoe would do the same thing.

Sorry for going off topic... but how? Read through the manual and the K7 flash interface appears to be the same as the K20D.

Besides the title thread mentions "X-sync" problems.

NOTE: The K7 manual has some information about the X-sync socket:
1) High trigger voltages could cause an issue (though no mention of how high!)
2) If the flash's PC connector uses reverse voltage (i.e. centre pin is negative) there could be an issue for camera or flash.

Matt

I was helping a friend sort out his K7 with flash and all I can tell you is that there is an option somewhere in the menus to allow the use of the built in flash as a master to trigger studio or other slave flashes.

You also get the option of the built in flash adding to the overall exposure or not.

As I don't have a K7 yet I can't check out where this was unfortunately!

The alternative approach would be to use Interfit or other studio flash that allows the triggering of the units on the first, second or third trigger flash.

Wow! That's a cool addition if they've done that! And it's not in the manual.
Probably like you, I'm waiting for the K7 pricing to come down a touch (and I'll have to trade in a few lenses and things!)

Matt

Procrastination is the thief of time

Sorry to burst your bubble, John, but is no such option for studio flash on the K-7.

You must have missed it, because we were using it. As I said though, I can't tell you where because I don't have the K7 here. Next time I handle one I'll find out where the options are and report back.

I thought you were quite fond of your children

Sadly mine have all left home (looks at wife assessing worth)

I quadruple checked (and I use studio flashes), and there is no such option. It works exactly like the K10D and K20D. If ever you happen to find it, let me know. I could use it.

Is this a firmware issue? Maybe before we resort to handbags at dawn---

I have the latest firmware update issued, and never found that feature. And I've looked right, left, up and down, and nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Anybody else having a K-7 without firmware update able to check if their K-7 support wireless studio flashes? It would be appreciated.

Any update on the issue? I have a K7 with the same problem with my Calumet 400 lights. Work fine with the test button or my camera's pop up but no luck getting more than the 1st shot when tethered to the PC sync socket.