Please can anyone suggest which flashguns are safe to use with a Pentax K20D without frying the electronics ? I have an old Vivitar 283, and a Pentax 240 AF, but would really like one with TTL response. Thanks. Tony

The voltage across the points when fired is very high on old style flashguns if you try this on a modern digital camera you may fry the electrics in the camera. Get a flash gun that is compatible with your camera Have look at the Yongnuo range.

Wein makes a good one and have used it without issue for years.

You can get it on eBay or here:

Canada:http://www.henrys.com/4563-WEIN-SAFE-SYNC-HOTSHOE-HI-VOLT-SYNCH-REG.aspx
USA: http://www.adorama.com/WNSSHSHS.html

If there is a D after the 2800 you're probably safe. The trigger voltage is 8 volts so to be sure, find out what the upper limit of trigger voltage the camera can safely handle. If there is no D designation in the model number it will definitely fry the Nikon

It depends on the variant of the 283. Take a look here.

If the lens has an "A" setting, be sure that's where you have it set. Clean the contacts on the lens and camera body where they meet with a cotton swab lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.

I assume you're asking about the 283, not the DF-283 which is compatible with digital cameras.

As for the 283, yes, if you put an adapter such as the Wein Safe-Sync between the camera and the flash. Under no circumstances should the flash be mounted directly on the camera.

That is true. Older flashes used sync voltages as high as 250V. That much extra juice can quickly fry newer cameras. You can use a Wein Safe-Sync between the camera and the flash to electrically isolate the two.

the nikon D80 has a 250 volts safe range and i have the same issue but readin on the internet i learned that yo can now the voltage of your flash with a voltage metter ond the hot soe.

Vivitar 283 has diferent ranges of voltages depending on the year of fabrication so older ones can achieve 300 volts and earlier have 230 volts so the best is to get a vivitar 285hv for about 75dollars or a safe sync for about 55dollars, you can find all on ebay or other brouser the safe sync converts up to 400 volts to a safe 6 volts that are yust the normal voltage for digital flashes.

Buy distilled water.

Try to open the flash apart.

Pour distilled water to unit and blow dry or just set it near sunlight until dry.

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Please check the trigger voltage.
What, how do I do that, you said!!!!!!!!!?

Here they are:

1. Four fully charged or new batteries into 283.
2. You needs a DVM (Digital Volt Multimeter).
3. Set DVM: DC scale, higher than 10 scale.
4. Black Lead to black DVM and Red Lead to red DVM.
5. Turn ON the Vivitar 283 and wait until light turns Green.
6. Place Black Lead to Outside Silver Contact of the flash.
7. Place Red Lead to Center Silver Contact of the flash.
8. What is the voltage reading? Read the max. V.
9. Anything under 8VDC will be fine.
10. Some versions will be high.

Hope they are helpful to all photographers.

Truly,
Alexander
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