Powerful and versatile flashgun for many film and digital cameras (dedicated to many Konica film SLRs - see below)

• Bounce/swivel flash head
• 28-85mm zoom facility
• Guide number up to 44m
• Twin flash tubes for fill-in
• Five auto modes, manual
• Built in auto flash meter
• Works on many digital
  cameras with hot shoe
• Dedicated for many
  Konica AR 35mm SLRs
• Not for Konica Minolta
• Low, safe trigger voltage
• Includes 4x AA batteries

This is an excellent flash unit for most film and digital cameras with a standard (non dedicated) hot shoe, plus many Konica manual focus 35mm film SLR cameras. It has a bounce, swivel and zoom head, twin flashes and as it has a very low (safe) trigger voltage it's suitable for most cameras including digital types. On suitable Konica film cameras (see list below) the flash will set the shutter speed and aperture automatically when it's charged, and display flash ready status in the viewfinder. It's also perfect for many digital cameras with built in zoom lens including popular Fujifilm and Panasonic models (see below) with non-dedicated operation.

It has a zoom flash head with 28mm and 35mm wide angle, 50mm standard and 85mm or longer telephoto positions (or the equivalents on other formats), to give extra coverage for wide angle lenses, and extra range with telephotos. The head tilts up to 90 degrees and swivels over 270 degrees for bounce flash in vertical or horizontal positions, which gives much softer, more natural lighting than direct flash. A second flash tube is built in to provide fill in for the shadows when using bounce flash, and this can be switched on or off as required. A slot is provided above this for a fill-in bounce reflector panel (not supplied, but you could easily cut something suitable from white card).

Powerful guide numbers of 27-44 (m) and 89-145 (feet) with ISO 100, depending on the zoom setting. Theoretical maximum range of 19m (62 feet) with a 50mm f/2 lens and ISO 100, and further with higher ISO films or settings. As with all flashguns, actual range will depend on the conditions. Auto or manual exposure with five separate auto settings from f/2.8 to f/11 with ISO 100, giving ranges of up to 15.7m (52 feet). For dedicated operation on suitable Konica cameras, either f/5.6 or f/11 can be selected (and set on the camera automatically). An auto check light confirms correct exposure, and a built in auto flash meter gives information on the minimum and maximum ranges available using LEDs. Manual override is also available, at either full power, 1/4 or 1/16th (useful for Strobist operation). The comprehensive control panel includes film speeds from ISO 50 to 1000, apertures from f/1.4 to f/32 and distances from 1m (3 feet) to 16m (53 feet).

This independent Starblitz 3800DEF flashgun is nicely made (in Japan), measures around 145mm (5.5 inches) tall on the camera, and weighs around 360g (without batteries). Power is supplied by 4x standard AA batteries including alkaline disposable (supplied) or rechargeable types. Auto shutoff system to conserve battery power. Thyristor circuitry for faster recycling and more flashes per set of batteries at closer distances.

An excellent flash for many modern digital cameras, as well as Konica users and collectors!

Condition: Excellent++ (8/10)
The flash is in good used condition, fully working order, and has been tested on our film and digital cameras. All features work as expected, and all controls work positively. Cosmetically it shows the usual surface scratches and scrapes here and there in the plastic finish. The battery contacts were corroded at some point, but have been cleaned and work fine. No cracks, splits or other damage, and overall it's in good shape! Pictures in this listing show the actual item offered for sale.

Includes DK-1 Konica module, plus 4x Alkaline AA batteries

Click here for an independent site with a copy of the instruction manual (free to download, small donation requested if you find it useful)

Compatibility
This flash is suitable for many Konica 35mm SLR and rangefinder cameras with a hot shoe, including the Autoreflex T3N, T4, TC, TC-X, C35, Auto S3, FC-1, FS-1, FT-1 and FP-1. Dedicated auto operation with the FC-1, FS-1, FT-1 and FP-1, with shutter speed and aperture set automatically, and flash ready indication in the viewfinder. On other models, the shutter speed and aperture are set manually. NOT suitable for Konica Minolta or Sony cameras.

The Konica module is interchangeable and Starblitz SD-System alternatives were available (not included) for dedicated operation with suitable 35mm SLR cameras from Canon, Chinon, Contax/Yashica, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Ricoh.

Other cameras including digital
The flash will work fine on many other cameras with a standard (non-dedicated) hot shoe, with the shutter speed and aperture set manually on the camera in M mode, and exposure controlled by the flash in non-TTL auto modes. Suitable cameras include the Panasonic FZ10, FZ20 and FZ30, Fujifilm S7000, S602 (and Pro), S9500, S9600, S100FS, S200EXR and HS10 (down to 28mm zoom), etc. The trigger voltage is a very low, safe 5.1v, which is well within the ISO 10330 standard of 24v, and even the most voltage-intolerant cameras usually accept up to 6v. Not recommended for cameras with dedicated flash control (using a hot shoe with more than one contact), other than those listed above. The low voltage means that damage is unlikely, but operation many not be as expected.