Older flash units can be used on digital cameras, with some precautions.
The Pentax K100D, released in 2006, is built around a 6.1 megapixel CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor. While the camera is designed to work with modern flashes that will meter themselves using the camera's internal TTL (Through The Lens) metering system, you can use older Vivitar flashes such as the popular 283 and 285 models, with some precautions. Digital cameras are much different than the manual cameras for which the Vivitars were originally designed. If you are using the Vivitars on the K100D, consider investing in a Wein Safe Sync designed to control the flash voltage.
Instructions
1. Slide the Wein Safe Sync onto the Pentax K100D hot shoe. Slide the Vivitar flash onto the Wein Safe Sync hot shoe and connect the flash to the Safe Sync by plugging the sync cord included with the Vivitar flash into the front of the Wein Safe Sync, then into the Vivitar flash.
2. Turn the Pentax K100D on and set the exposure mode dial to "M" for manual. Set the shutter speed at 1/250th of a second, the maximum setting the camera's shutter can be used with flash photography. Set the aperture to f5.6.
3. Turn the flash on, and turn the "Vari Power" dial on the front of the flash to the "yellow" setting. The Vari Power dial is a feature on both the Vivitar 283 and 285 flashes. "Yellow" is the weakest setting on the flash.
4. Hold the camera to your eye, compose and take the picture. Review the image on the LCD screen and make adjustments to both the shutter speed or aperture if required. Remember the fastest shutter speed you can use for flash photography is 1/250th of second.
Tags: Safe Sync, Wein Safe, Wein Safe Sync, Pentax K100D, shutter speed, Vivitar flash
