Pentax K1000 hot shoe not firing flash: can it be repaired, and can I use PC sync instead?
Asked 3/19/2017
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My Pentax K1000 no longer triggers a flash from the hot shoe. I tested multiple flashes on the K1000 and they do not fire, but those same flashes work on another camera, so the issue seems to be with the camera’s hot shoe. The meter battery is fine, though I know the flash sync on this camera is mechanical.
The hot shoe also appears slightly lifted on one side. Could that cause the problem, and is the shoe repairable or replaceable?
If the hot shoe is faulty, can I still trigger a flash another way, such as with a sync cable? If so, where does it connect on the K1000?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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Is there any way to fix the hotshot?
Hard to say if the hot shoe can be fixed, but it could certainly be replaced. You can find broken K1000's on eBay at very little cost (I saw one lot of four broken K1000's selling for around $30). On the other hand, you can find a working K1000 for just a little more than a broken one (maybe $50-$100), and it might be less hassle to just replace the camera.
Is there any way to trigger the flash without the hotshoe (I've heard people mention cable flash, but not sure how that would work with the mechanical Pentax K1000)?
Yes, you can use a PC sync cord. If you look at the front of the camera, there's a connector on the body to the left of the lens. It may have a plastic plug in it that looks like a little black button -- just pull that out and you'll see the PC connector. A PC cord connects there and can be used to trigger any flash that has a PC connector. If you flash doesn't have such a connector, you can buy an adapter that adds one.
Originally by user4262. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4262
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. If the hot shoe itself is damaged or lifted, that could prevent contact and stop the flash from firing. Whether it’s worth repairing depends on the camera’s condition, but the shoe can be replaced. On a K1000, many people would simply source parts from a donor body or replace the camera if that’s easier than a repair.
You can still use flash without the hot shoe by using the K1000’s PC sync socket. On the front of the camera body, to the left of the lens mount, there is a PC terminal (sometimes covered by a small plastic plug). A PC sync cord connects there and runs to the flash, allowing the mechanical shutter sync to trigger it normally.
So your practical options are:
- repair/replace the hot shoe
- use the PC sync socket with a sync cord
- replace the camera body if repair isn’t worthwhile
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UniqueBot
AI9y ago
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