anyone recommend a good flash for a Pentax K10D?

[afd]

Hi there, looking to get an external flash as I find the built in one a bit hit or miss. I have a Vivitar 283 which in theory should not fry the camera but am not brave/daft enough to risk it. I was always happy with how the 283 performed with my Pentax ME Super, so am looking for similar performance.
Other than Pentax flashes, which seem expensive I have looked Sigma EF 530 DG ST and Super. Any other flashes worth looking at?
Have used a Jessop 300 AFD flash (I think) with a Canon SLR at work which seems OK but it drains the batteries when not being used.
Just looking to take some well lit family snapshots so would prefer not to spend too much.

Thanks
afd

 

[jpfisher]

I wouldn't risk the Vivitar-- if it's of the vintage of an ME Super, it could fry the K10D.

I use a Metz 48-- it's the lower end of the two Metz P-TTL flashes. It can operate wirelessly (using the K10's pop-up flash as a trigger). The head tilts and swivels.

The wireless operation requires a line-of-sight between the K10's flash and the Metz's light sensor-- there is a menu setting on the K10 to make it so the popup flash does not affect exposure.

The Metz 58 is a more powerful version of the 48, and it can act as a wireless master via RF (I believe-- double check me on this one, please), so it might be a good choice if you see yourself using off-camera slave strobes.

 

[ChrisA]

Here is what you need, a Wein "safe sync" for you vivitar flash.

I've used other versions of the safe sync to connect a Norman studio power pack strobe to my nikon DSLR. If anything looks like it might fry a DSLR is that big 25 pound industrial looking power pack that is plugged into a 20 amp AC outlet

Check this out http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html

 

[afd]

Thanks for that. The metz looks good.

Afd

 

[gusthecat]

What about...

...an nice, gently used AF360FGZ for $150USD?

You can pick one up from http://www.keh.com for a good deal.

I have one for my istDS and love it. The only thing I miss is the swivel. (It is bounce only). The infra red AF assist is awesome.

Thanks,

GusTheCat

 

[gnd]

...an nice, gently used AF360FGZ for $150USD?
You can pick one up from http://www.keh.com for a good deal.

You can get a new one on Amazon for 165$ ...

 

[afd]

You can get a new one on Amazon for 165$ ...

the flash is £190.24 in the UK Amazon shop. The review there said it under exposed on a K10D, so not keen especially with price. Have found that using aperture priority and built in flash seems to underexpose, so maybe it;s a camera issue and not the flash?