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FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION
The KM has FP and X terminals on the front of the camera
body, and
a separate X contact on the built-in hot shoe. The table on
the next page
shows which flash contact, which shutter speed and which
flash bulb may
be combined for maximum lamp efficiency. Unless these
combinations are
rigidly followed, there will be a failure in flash
synchronization. Note the "X" setting is exactly at the 60
marked on the speed dial. This indicates the
highest shutter speed at which electronic flash units may
be used. Use the hot shoe flash contact when using a shoe-
mount electronic flash like the Pentax Autorobo which has
a flash contact on the shoe bracket. When using the hot
shoe, there is no need to plug the flash cord into the X
terminal on the body front. The hot shoe flash contact
turns to "hot" (switched on) only when you insert a shoe-
mount electronic flash. It remains "cold" (disconnected)
even when using an electronic flash with its cord plugged
into the X terminal on the body front. This eliminates the
danger of electric shocks.
There are basically two types of flash bulb attachments on
the market: clip-on types and bracket types. Either can be
used with your camera. The clip-on types are attached to
the hot shoe and the bracket types are screwed into the
tripod screw hole. Use one of these three bulb types: M,
MF or FP. The correct terminal and the correct shutter
speed to use for each of these three types are outlined in
the table below. Before attaching the flash unit to the
camera, you must remove the protective plug from the
proper terminal. When not using the terminals, keep the
plugs inserted.
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