Speedlite 540EZ

[mant01]

I picked up one of these and use it on my Canon 500D. It only works in manual which I dont mind but Id like to try off camera stuff so I was wondering what I can buy to let me do this? Im not sure if a cable would work since its an older flash and it may fit the camera and not the flash etc and would rather not buy something to find out that its not compatible. Thanks for any help

 

[Pippy_Neville]

I'd be seriously careful about putting a 540EZ on your hot shoe, it's not designed for recent camera's and could possibly fry your camera. Sounds like you've gotten away with it so far, but you may want to check the trigger voltages.
Will be fine OCF though. And get some cheap triggers from Flash In The Pan who is a trader on this forum, he's good and his stuff is low price.
Hope this helps,
pip

 

[Thmaga]

He shouldn't have an issue with it, the EZ flashes were made for the EOS system and trigger at about 4ish volts.
But I do agree that in general, caution should be taken when using older flashguns as some have very high trigger voltages. This website lists the trigger voltages for lots of flashes.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

 

[specialman]

The EZ has a built-in stand-by mode doesn't it that can't be turned off? That may be a problem for off-camera stuff unless it's within reaching distance so you can kick it back into 'live' mode again...

Think I saw a quick fix on flickr (Steveblackdog) that used an elastic band to hold a clothes peg onto the standby button so the flash stayed live at all times.....

EDT: it was for a 430EZ but the same may apply - linky here

 

[Thmaga]

430 Has the issue, the 540 as far as I am aware can disable it.

Also Rf 602 triggers will wake the 430EZ.