Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I had a Pentax KX and a B400. Can you tell me what connector I need to attach the unit to my flash?

The Pentax manual says I need a hot shoe adapter, but I note I have a small "PC" slot on the side. Which one should I use?

I looked up the specs for the Pentax K-X and there is no PC connection for a strobe. The "PC" you may be referring to is for a "personal computer". Here are the connections on that camera:
Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out
Video out: NTSC, PAL

RMS

Correct, the "PC" connection referred to on the camera refers to "Personal Comupter". "PC" in reference to flash connections dates from the originators of the standard, Prontor- Compur. Confusing, I know. Anyway, your camera does not have teh appropriate connection built in, so you will need either a hotshoe adapter (HSA:http://www.alienbees.com/parts.html) or a wireless system (http://www.alienbees.com/remotes.html). Additionally, most cameras allow you to take flash photographs above thier sync speed, but a black line will result. Pentaxes, however, will not trigger the flash at all above x-sync speed (1/160 on most Pentaxes). If everything seems like it should work, check your shutter speed.

It's actually 1/180. I have a K20D ;)

Sayman: without the hotshoe sync cable, you can also use your popup flash....just set it flash exposure comp of some small number. On your K-x, run in full manual mode (M on the dial). The popup flash will trigger the slave eye on the B400.
Think about getting something like the cybercommander or Radiopopper Jrx though. It'll make your life easier when setting up lights so you don't have to run back and forth...

Thanks all! I actually have a Sigma EF-530 DG Super - brighter than the popup so hopefully will trigger the flash.

Lot of stuff, just have to learn how to use it all well. Outside Photography is a snap compared to indoor lighting,it seems.

Just tried it - B400 triggers along with the Sigma. Yay.

you do need to be careful. the speedlite emits a preflash just before the exposure flash. During this preflash, the Bee will also fire. The camera thinks there is a whole lotta light coming in based on both the preflash and Bee. Thusly, the camera reduces the amount of output to the speedlite. More importantly, if the Bee is set to a higher power, it will not have time to recycle and will not fire. The combination of less than needed light from the speedlite, as well as no flash from the Bee, will result in severe under exposure.

using the speedlite in manual mode or dialing the Bee down will prevent this from happening.

Much thanks. Would it be advisable to invest in a light meter or just use the camera's auto modes?

When using studio lights, you cannot use anything auto (except auto focus).

Auto = preflash

Get a light meter...you can chimp histograms strobist style, but the end result on the computer is always a bit off.

You can use strobes to light up outdoor shots too...e.g., light painting w/ a tripod...