Thanks Matt,
For quickness tonight I checked a National PE-387S and the trigger voltage was less than 3v. So I used that in the hotshoe to fire all the rest off without prob.
I remember it well, my first. It was one of my dad's guns, a REGULA-WERK.
Never heard of it? If I say the powerpack casing is made of bakelite....
As a kid I tried testing it by shoving a paperclip into the sync plug socket.
That's when I found out for the first time what 210v feels like

Think I'll try to find out more about that "protected" thing.
Cheers.

Hoping for some help on the flash trigger voltage/current characteristics the K20D can cope with.
(Yes my mint K20D arrived this morning)
I'm using the common mains slave flash which go under the names of AICO or Morris as per image:



The triggers of the masters are powered by 6v batteries, so I'm guessing these will not be a problem.
But I've got other guns which on occasion are useful to use to set-off the slaves from some distance. I can easily measure the trigger voltage/current on these, but I haven't been able to find out what the K20D can handle.

I also a read a post which seemed to suggested that there is a difference in capabilities between the sync socket and the hotshoe. I got the impression that the hotshoe was less susceptible to getting fried, but I may have misunderstood that.

Well I’ve got my K20D
SRS described it as "excellent ++ condition", and that’s an understatement.
But it’s a bit of a puzzler.
I downloaded PhotoMe and the shutter count says 10005.
If it was only 5, I wouldn’t have been surprised. But the file name of a shot just taken is IMGP9771.JPG, so this would suggest file memory has been on for most of its use and it’s correct. Also, having two spare batteries with it would suggest a lot of use.

However, apart from just being able to detect on the mount that a lens has previously been put on, there isn’t a single mark anywhere (and I went over it with x10 loupé!), nor any polishing from handling. It’s 100% mint; lens likewise (18-55 DA).
Leads are still packed never used, CDs also. Manual may have been read but not heavily.
First thoughts when I got it was, “this is new, bought as present and gave up when started to read the manual”.
I don’t know; how can a camera have had so much use, but no physical signs of ever being used?

If it wasn’t for only costing £449 (incl. VAT), I’d have thought it had been re-bodied.
Anyway, I’m a very happy bunny.

I shall have to step aside on K20D as I've now found one.

I shall have to step aside on K20D as I've now found one.

"Pontypool boy" - Ooooo that's a bit cruel
Actually I'm a foreigner (from the Midlands), and it's OK here.
Yes the 4042 is just down the road.

Anyway, I'm shortly to be a Pentax man in "fact" as well as theory, when my "excellent ++ condition" K20D arrives from SRS Microsystems
I think I was lucky because I couldn't find it on their site direct, I got to it via a Google shopping link.
Complete boxed set with kit lens plus an extra battery; it was a good price including VAT, and I'm registered, so even better.
Normally I'm guessing it wouldn't have been there for long.

Woohoo

Thanks for the warm greeting everyone.
Colin, Thanks, the web site has been twenty years in the making.
Gareth, I'm in sunny Griffithstown-by-the-Sea

Presently hoping for a chance on bretbysteve's K20D!

John

Hi,
We have something in common; my sister says I should start a blog called Grumpy from Griffithstown.
But I'm also interested in the K20D body. What's the situation on this please?
John

What's the situation on the K20D please?

Image download time I'm not concerned about, that just has to be lived with.
I saw mention of Lightroom in an earlier post. That's a program I've never come across before, but I'll have to check it out.

I've decided a K20D is the way to go. Much as I'd like it, I really can't justify going to a K-7, or afford it at moment.
Some experimenting is going to be needed when I get kitted up.

Many Thanks