|
|
Post by Peltigera on Mar 14, 2012 14:32:21 GMT -5
My early cameras with hot shoe flash shoes have a singe central contact - as do my early flash guns. More modern cameras have a plethora of contacts - my EOS cameras have six.
My question - is there any standardisation around these contacts or does each manufacturer do their own thing? I am guessing that the central contact is always the same and identical with the central contact on early hot shoes, but what about the rest?
Can I safely use my Canon Speedlite on my new Olympus OM10?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2012 15:56:29 GMT -5
I'm not positive but I think different companies do their own thing on hot shoe flash connections. Some after market flash manufacturers used to make different modules to adapt their flashes to specific cameras. Now most cameras have TTL flash control and I'm pretty sure there's no international standard for that.
|
|
daveh
Lifetime Member
Posts: 4,696
|
Post by daveh on Mar 14, 2012 16:09:49 GMT -5
I've pondered the same thing myself. I wish the manufacturers would give details of what each contact does (and voltage etcetera). As far I can work out the centre contact is the same (at least on the flashguns and cameras I have) so it would seem that a modern flash will work on such as the OM10. It doesn't seem to work in the opposite direction, though - i.e. an old flash will often have too high a trigger voltage for modern digital cameras. Well, at least that is what is usually said. I suppose the only way is to try it and see.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2012 16:27:24 GMT -5
Dave. I think you are correct about the center contact. You do have to be careful about trigger voltage, however. The Vivitar 283 has been a very popular flash for years. If you have one of the original 283s, make in Japan, it can fry the circuits in a modern camera. The newer 283s were made in China and have low trigger voltage.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peltigera on Mar 14, 2012 17:35:43 GMT -5
Never thought about the voltages - just assumed they would be standard. In which case I will not try to use flash guns that are not contemporary with the camera. Unless that is likely to be dangerous as well.
|
|
mickeyobe
Lifetime Member
Resident President
Posts: 7,280
|
Post by mickeyobe on Mar 14, 2012 17:58:07 GMT -5
Don't try and see. Unless you like burnt toast. Instead see this first. A list of many flash guns and whether they are or are not safe on modern cameras. www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.htmlMickey |
|
daveh
Lifetime Member
Posts: 4,696
|
Post by daveh on Mar 14, 2012 18:32:18 GMT -5
It's the other way round here - modern flash, 'old' camera. I doubt there is any problem, but.....why can't the manufacturers give proper specifications? Possible answer: presumably so they can sell more. I've just noticed that you don't say which Speedlight. The topic seems to have come up on several different forums. I found this forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&message=38364472&changemode=1 which might be of some help. It would seem that Canon flashguns have a lower trigger voltage than many others as Canon cameras are more susceptible to problems if the voltage is too high. |
|
mickeyobe
Lifetime Member
Resident President
Posts: 7,280
|
Post by mickeyobe on Mar 14, 2012 20:56:16 GMT -5
It's the other way round here - modern flash, 'old' camera. Dave, Either way one should check before subjecting a camera to a possibly fatal dose of volts. Mickey |
|
daveh
Lifetime Member
Posts: 4,696
|
Post by daveh on Mar 14, 2012 21:07:52 GMT -5
Mickey,
Absolutely. The best way to check is to get someone else to do it! ;D
p.s. I've added to my (now) penultimate post.
Certainly Camerabag, an ebay seller, always says that older flashgums (sold for EOS film SLRs) are probably not suitable for Canon digital SLRs.
|
|
daveh
Lifetime Member
Posts: 4,696
|
Post by daveh on Mar 14, 2012 21:51:27 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2012 21:54:49 GMT -5
Mickey: Thant's a useful list. Thanks.
Wayne
|
|
