Old Pentax Hotshoe Flash New Nikon D80?

Question: Old Pentax Hotshoe Flash New Nikon D80!?

Ive got an old hotshoe flash and a new Nikon is there anyway I can use the two together without damaging either!? Or anyway I could just use it seperatly with the test button on a long exposure!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I'd skip the safe sync!. They are typically $50 and up and you could conceivably buy another manual flash to use with your Nikon for that much!.

http://www!.botzilla!.com/photo/strobeVolt!.!.!. If your flash is listed here it may give you a clue as to how much voltage it puts out at the hotshoe!. All of the Pentax flashes that are listed (which this is not an all inclusive list so check for your model number) are within the safe zone!. To be sure put a multimeter to the hotshoe contacts and see what the voltage is!. I would email Nikon with that voltage if it's over 6 volts and see what the safe zone is!. They are very accomodating from what I hear!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's not worth using an old flash on a new camera!. The technology has changed so much!.!.!.that you could end up messing up the electronics of the camera!. I know from experience that the polarity of a hot shoe is changed around by camera manufactures and you could end up frying your electronics!.
Save your money for a flash that is designed to talk to your D80!. The holiday season is coming up, put it on your list!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Some older flashes have WAY too much hot shoe voltage that can ruin a new digital!. Ideally, you want no voltage at the contacts over 6 volts!.

If you have a voltmeter, you can actually measure the voltage on the bottom of the flash!. But to be totally safe, just use a Wein Safe Sync!. (it is easy to google and find)!. This little device mounts between the hot shoe and flash and will safely reduce any flash voltage to 6 volts!.

Here is a chart of flash trigger voltages, but I don't know if I would put full faith in it or not:

http://www!.botzilla!.com/photo/strobeVolt!.!.!.

steveWww@QuestionHome@Com

To be safe, buy the WEIN Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe Safe Sync!. You can order it at http://www!.weinproducts!.com/safesyncs!.ht!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com