is there a new flash that works on a Pentax 6x7? X sync cord?

studiocarter · Mar 19, 2016

I'm using a Vivitar 2800 with a cord. It works. That is until I tried to photograph my brother in law then it didn't work. ???? old stuff. I bought a replacement with the cord just now.

Is there a new unit that I could depend on? It has to have the X sync cord. There is no hot shoe.
Thanks.

BrianShaw · Mar 19, 2016

Yes, most likely.

Take a look at some of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Camera-Flashes/ci/643/N/4168864825

And check out what other vendors are offering too.

wiltw · Mar 19, 2016

Any non-xTTL flash with a PC connector!

studiocarter · Mar 19, 2016

Is a pic connector the x plug?

wiltw · Mar 19, 2016

studiocarter said:
Is a pic connector the x plug?

'PC' connector, not 'pic' ... and PC connector is used for X or M or FP connections https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prontor-Compur

the PC cord in this example has similar ends at each end http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682575-REG/Impact_10032370_PC_Male_to_PC.html

studiocarter · Mar 19, 2016

I'd best just go to a camera store with my camera.

wiltw · Mar 19, 2016

studiocarter said:
I'd best just go to a camera store with my camera.

The problem arises when the store staff knows only digital cameras and xTTL flash units for them -- the body often today totally lacks such a connector but depends upon a hotshoe-to-PC adapter!

I think you actually are better off bringing in your Vivitar 2800 flash, and tell the person in the store, "I want a replacement flash similar to this one, that does NOT use the hotshoe connect but connects via a cord like the one on this flash unit!"

rbultman · Mar 19, 2016

To refine BrianShaw's link a little...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Flash+Type_Auto+(Non-TTL)&ci=647&N=4168864822+4062787806

Several of those have either a PC sync port or a 2.5mm sync port for which you can find an adapter. Those are auto flashes, not TTL, so they should work with non-TTL cameras.

studiocarter · Mar 19, 2016

Now they are looking familiar. The shoe looks right. Is the sync cord shown in the first listing the one that would plug into the camera camera x port?

studiocarter · Mar 19, 2016

Metz 36-50

studiocarter · Mar 19, 2016

The bottom one also shows a cord, the Vivitar.

BrianShaw · Mar 19, 2016

You can't go wrong with the Vivitar. All should come with a cord. Check the "in the box" part of the listing. I wouldn't take another pic of your B-I-L, though, if I were you.

cooltouch · Mar 19, 2016

Nikon strobes have been pretty good about having PC connectors. I have an older SB-24, which is a pro-level flash, that has a PC-sync socket. But if your camera doesn't have one, then you'll have to use a hot-shoe adapter with a PC sync port. At least the 6x7 has one.

I know what you mean about the reliability issue. I find that sometimes I just need to tweak the connections a bit. Swivel the cord in its socket to dislodge a slight film of oxidation is sometimes all that's needed. When these components sit around for too long, that's what happens.

wiltw · Mar 20, 2016

studiocarter said:
Now they are looking familiar. The shoe looks right. Is the sync cord shown in the first listing the one that would plug into the camera camera x port?

These would work, as what is 'in the box' includes "PC Male Sync Cord"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/83700-REG/Sunpak_0622S_622_Super_Pro_TTL.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/816237-REG/Vivitar_VIV_385_HV_385HV_Flash.html

Soeren · Mar 20, 2016

Ive got this kit for nikon

And one like this

Triggers my SB26 remotely from my mamiya645 and rz67proii, my Sony devilcam, zeiss ikonta, Sekonic 308, minolta spotmeter and my LF shutters. Flash output is manually controlled. Works with most flashes since they are centerpin fired.

AgX · Mar 20, 2016

studiocarter said:
Is there a new unit that I could depend on? It has to have the X sync cord. There is no hot shoe.
Thanks.

There is a accessory hot-shoe, that got a PC-connector or a PC-cable to connect a hot-foot-only flash to a camera with cold-shoe.

Edit:
As shown above....

studiocarter · Mar 20, 2016

Soeren said:
Ive got this kit for nikon

View attachment 152887

And one like this

View attachment 152888
Triggers my SB26 remotely from my mamiya645 and rz67proii, my Sony devilcam, zeiss ikonta, Sekonic 308, minolta spotmeter and my LF shutters. Flash output is manually controlled. Works with most flashes since they are centerpin fired.

That is something I could use, the lower image of the pc to hot shoe? So, you just plug the pc end into the leaf shutter lens port?
So, I did a search on, pc to hot shoe, and found one that I bought from Sammy's Camera. Maybe it'll work with my Canon flash from the 5D. It has a hot shoe, the flash does. The cord has a hot shoe on top and a cold shoe on bottom with a wire to a pc plug. That will sit on the cold shoe on the wooden handle connected to the Pentax 6x7 camera and plug into the 90mm leaf shutter lens. The Canon flash will go onto the hot shoe.
Now to get new batteries. That may have been part of the problems. Wouldn't it be nuts if that was all that was wrong and now I bought all that stuff?
GAS attacks again!

Soeren · Mar 20, 2016

Yes plugged in the pc port

BrianShaw · Mar 20, 2016

Buying batteries does not equate to GAS, amigo.

cooltouch · Mar 20, 2016

studiocarter said:
Is there a new unit that I could depend on? It has to have the X sync cord. There is no hot shoe.
Thanks.

If your camera has no hot shoe, and no way to install one via an adapter, like there is on the Nikon F, F2, and original Canon F-1 (because of removable finders), you might want to look at flashes that use brackets -- like that Sunpack 622 that wiltw provided a link for, or say a Metz 45CT-4. I have both. The Metz is a pretty good sized unit, but that Sunpak is huge, especially if it has the zoom head, which mine has. Puts out an enormous amount of light, though. Neither are new, but both tend to be very reliable. At least mine have.

studiocarter · Mar 21, 2016

BrianShaw said:
Buying batteries does not equate to GAS, amigo.

The GAS came from buying another Vivitar 2800 and a hot shoe adapter with a PC cable.
I'll wait to buy a different flash that has more light, which I now want, too! More GAS. Three flash units take a lot of batteries. Ok, not gas. The Canon flash is the third. A new one will be number four!
I guess there is an adapter to connect PC cables to in order to fire off multiple flashes at the same time? This is a gas.

AgX · Mar 21, 2016

Yes, there is a multiple connector.

Keep in mind, the more flashes you hook up the more current is running over that scynchro-switch of the camera.
With older flashes (of the high-voltage release type) you better not use more than one of these multiple connectors.

BrianShaw · Mar 21, 2016

Consider going all-the-way: radio synch. Rid yourself of the rats nest of cords! That's gas!!!!

Soeren · Mar 21, 2016

BrianShaw said:
Consider going all-the-way: radio synch. Rid yourself of the rats nest of cords! That's gas!!!!

Agreed. That was party the point of my posts above. Radio triggers are cheap so why rask tripping over cables etc?

studiocarter · Mar 21, 2016

BrianShaw said:
Consider going all-the-way: radio synch. Rid yourself of the rats nest of cords! That's gas!!!!

R a d i o (Homer Simpson's voice)
BTW, my first flash picture of a human is now up on my blog...

is there a new flash that works on a Pentax 6x7? X sync cord?

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