Using my Dad's old flashes with my 5D?

Ksanti

Ksanti

Suspended / Banned
Messages
548
Name
Matt
Edit My Images
No
Had a rummage through my dad's old film stuff today, aside from the carry case and blower brush I've nicked, is there any point in me using the speedlite 300EZ or Miranda C-AF 32 flashguns I found there? I'm not too fussed about the speedlite as it doesn't bounce or anything. I know the risk with using old flashguns with new bodies is that they sometimes burn out the circuitry, but am I right in thinking the 5D is protected against that right up to studio lights?

I know that neither will have ETTL or anything but I figured it would save me some cash from buying another one. Would I be able to pair it with a cheap wireless system to get into strobe/off camera stuff? Obviously without the exposure control it'll all have to be manual but I won't be using it much outside of situations that I can set up before hand.

I might get some Yongnuo heads as well later but just to get started will it be sufficient?
 
i beleive some time ago a member [''Cowaski''..? ] did a thread on measuring the 'flash voltage' at the terminals and published a list on trigger voltages for various cameras

still not had the courage though to use an old flash on my new Nikon..:D:D
 
POAH said:
they won't work and could cause damage to the camera.
Click to expand...

The Miranda does work, haven't tried the 300EZ.

I'm confused. A lot of material seems to be conflicting as to whether the 5D is safe to 6V or to 250V? The Miranda is supposedly 9V so it makes a difference.
 
Ksanti said:
The Miranda does work, haven't tried the 300EZ.

I'm confused. A lot of material seems to be conflicting as to whether the 5D is safe to 6V or to 250V? The Miranda is supposedly 9V so it makes a difference.
Click to expand...

It may well work, doesn't mean it's not damaging your camera though.....
 
Also, what about just using it set to Low? Would that change the trigger voltage or will the trigger always be 8/9V regardless of the power?
 
The trigger voltage will be near enough the same all the time, thats the bit you have to worry about, too high a voltage may burn out the camera, you need to check the safe limit.
Another option is to get some radio triggers and use them off camera.
 
or some slave units and use them as second flash
 
there any point in me using the speedlite 300EZ or Miranda C-AF 32
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware, provided both flashguns are compatible with canon eos cameras and the power can be adjusted manually on the flashguns. Then something like a Yongnuo RF602 (for canon) radio tx and 2 rx will fire these.
You can't damage your camera using these off camera because you'd only be attaching the Tx not the actual flashguns. Worst thing that could happen is that they wouldn't work. :)

Trev
 
t-mitch said:
As far as I'm aware, provided both flashguns are compatible with canon eos cameras and the power can be adjusted manually on the flashguns. Then something like a Yongnuo RF602 (for canon) radio tx and 2 rx will fire these.
You can't damage your camera using these off camera because you'd only be attaching the Tx not the actual flashguns. Worst thing that could happen is that they wouldn't work. :)

Trev
Click to expand...

The worst thing that can happen, if the trigger voltage is over 12v, is that you kill the RF602s or whatever triggers you're using....
 
The worst thing that can happen, if the trigger voltage is over 12v, is that you kill the RF602s or whatever triggers you're using....
Click to expand...

I would agree with those urging caution. I read that both these flashguns are sub 12V although I can’t find a 100% credible source of info, so I wouldn’t really want to chance it. :)

At best, if you get these to fire, without the frying any of your hardware, on a radio wireless setup you’ll end up with 2 flashguns with no manual control over the output and slow recycle times. Possibly OK for some low cost flash fun and learning ??

Trev
 
Have you thought about getting one of the Wein Safe-Sync units from Speed Graphic in Alton?

That is a voltage regulator which goes between the camera and the flash headand connects via the PC cable. I use one with my old studio kit, and get the desired results along with peace of mind.
 
CrazyJay said:
Have you thought about getting one of the Wein Safe-Sync units from Speed Graphic in Alton?

That is a voltage regulator which goes between the camera and the flash headand connects via the PC cable. I use one with my old studio kit, and get the desired results along with peace of mind.
Click to expand...

For about the same price as the Wein safe sync you can buy a yn 460 11 which is safe and a very useful flash
Cheap way optic triggers from ebay about £5 a time
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top