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Heritage Cameras Description

A high power flash unit with tilting head for bounce, three auto and two manual modes, dedicated for many Pentax manual focus film SLR cameras (plus AF and digital with restrictions), and standard hot shoe fitting for many other film or digital models

Quality electronic flash with tilting head for bounce
Guide number of 30 meters or 100 feet @ ISO 100
Three automatic ranges available up to 11m or 36ft
Thyristor for fast auto recycling or full power manual
Dedicated for Pentax manual focus 35mm film SLRs
Sets shutter speed, shows flash ready in viewfinder
TTL auto flash control on selected 35mm film SLRs, plus the *ist D, DS, DS2, Samsung GX-1S DSLRs
Low, safe trigger voltage for many digital cameras
Supplied with instructions (copy) and AA batteries

This quality Japanese electronic flash unit has a tilting head for bounce, three automatic and manual exposure modes, plus thyristor circuitry for faster recycling. It provides dedicated automatic operation on many of the popular Pentax manual focus 35mm film SLR cameras (including TTL on selected models), plus many AF or digital models with restrictions. This one's in very good used condition, supplied with a copy of the instructions plus Alkaline batteries. Please read the full description (copyright © Heritage Cameras) for more important compatibility information.

The flash head can tilt up to 90 degrees vertically for bounce flash which gives softer, more natural lighting than direct flash, and reduces the chance of redeye. The flash covers lenses down to 35mm wide angle (or the equivalent on digital), diffusers were available for 28mm or 24mm (not included here) and even wider lenses can be used with bounce flash.

The guide number is 30 (meters) and 100 (feet) with ISO 100. Exposure control includes three auto ranges, plus full power manual. The auto modes give a choice of aperture settings (f/2.8, f/5.6 or f/11 with ISO 100) for auto shots to suit the subject, up to 11m (36ft). Thyristor circuitry for reduced recycling times and more flashes per set of batteries at close distances. The auto sensor is removable and works with the flash off-camera using a suitable connecting cord (not included). A comprehensive control dial is on top, plus ready light, test button and an auto check light at the rear.

This independent Popular 300T-XD DS/P flash is nicely made (in Japan), measures around 125mm (4.9" tall), 65mm (2.6") wide, 70mm (2.7") deep and weighs approximately 290g (10.1oz) without batteries. Power is supplied by 4x standard AA batteries and disposable Alkaline (supplied), rechargeable NiCd or NiMH types can be used. A socket is provided for an external power supply (not included). The standard hot shoe (and that on the Pentax dedicated module) have locking collars for secure fitting.

A very useful flash unit dedicated for many Pentax film cameras, and usable on many others.

Compatibility

The flash can be used with many Pentax 35mm, medium format or digital SLR camera with a hot shoe, and offers a variety of dedicated auto features as follows:

Dedicated auto flash works on models such as the Pentax ME Super, ME-F, MG, MV, MV-1, Program A, A3, P30 series, P50 and MZ-M, the digital *ist DL, DL2 and K-series DSLRs, the mirrorless K-01, plus the Samsung GX-1L, GX-10 and GX-20 models. The aperture is set manually (Av aperture priority mode works well), the shutter speed is set automatically when the flash is charged, and flash ready status is shown in the viewfinder. It's NOT compatible with shutter priority and program modes, or P-TTL flash control on the digital models.

TTL dedicated auto flash works on the Pentax LX (with hot shoe viewfinders) and Super A, AF film SLRs including the SF-series, Z-series, MZ-series and *ist, the 645, 645N and 645NII, plus the 67 II with a Hot Shoe Grip and Sync Cord (not included). This also works on the early Pentax *ist D, DS, DS2 and Samsung GX-1S digital SLRs (in TTL mode). The aperture is set manually (Av aperture priority mode works well), the shutter speed is set automatically when the flash is charged, and flash ready status is shown in the viewfinder. It's NOT compatible with shutter priority and program modes, or P-TTL flash control on the digital models.

Auto or manual (non-dedicated) flash modes work on older Pentax cameras with a hot shoe such as the Spotmatic II, IIa, F, Electro Spotmatic, ES and ES II, ME, MX, KM, KX, K2, K2 DMD and K1000, EI-2000 digital and many others.

Other cameras including digital
The flash is not recommended for cameras with dedicated flash control (using a hot shoe with more than one contact), other than those listed above. The low trigger voltage means that damage is unlikely but operation may not be as expected. It will work fine on many other cameras with a standard (non-dedicated) hot shoe – you set the shutter speed and aperture manually on the camera in M mode, and exposure is controlled by the flash in non-TTL auto modes.

The trigger voltage is a low and safe 4.5v which is well within the ISO 10330 standard of 24v and Pentax's limits of 25v or 30v for DSLRs, and only a few voltage-intolerant cameras specify up to 6v.

The Pentax dedicated module is removable and alternatives were available (not included) for Canon FD, Contax/Yashica, Minolta X, Nikon and Ricoh manual focus SLRs. The trigger voltage with the dedicated module removed is slightly higher at 7.1v.

Please contact us before buying if you have any questions about compatibility with your equipment. E&OE. Text and images are copyright © Heritage Cameras 2024, and may not be used without permission.