Voltage Checking

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Steviegee1964

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Steviegee
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Hi again, :wave:not sure if anyone missed the last part of this thread and still need help before i use my flash again. sorry to repeat but think there must be someone who can confirm i have done voltage check correctly or whether I am a complete idiot.:thinking: Thanks in advance. :thumbs: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=57202
 
Steve

I've been trying to check the trigger voltage of the Flash you are using, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be to much info around.

When in doubt don't. It's cheaper to buy a new flash unit than fry the contacts on your camera. I've a number of old units myself, two of which I know are OK, but I tend to use them as slaves, triggered by a inexpensive photoslave unit.
 
I'll repeat this here.

If your meter has a DC volts setting, set it to that and always start at the highest possible voltage setting, so DC 500v if you have it would be fine.

Switch on your flash and wait till it charges up, then if you have the single centre pin uppermost test the voltage across the two pins directly below it, if it reads 6v or less you have no problems, higher than that well it's up to you but the higher the more chance of damage to the camera.
 
Thanks again. I have tried the Voltage check on various DCV settings and never goes over 6 Volts, and as much as i would love to go get a new flash unit money dictates that as a no chance at present. The flash I have is a powerful unit and have had some good results with the D80. Seems a waste to not use it, but and its a big big but. Dont want to screw up my camera either. Oh I so hate the digital world!!!!!!!
 
If I was too purchase a speedlight, which one should i go for to replace my old flash unit? I need to be able to use the flash off camera, (ie to the side of the camera) be able to bounce off wall or ceiling. Or are there alternative makes, ie jessops own brands etc.
 
Sounds like the flash you have is just fine m8.

If you need to bounce flash and your flash head doesn't swivel or tilt you can make a very cheap bounce out of white card http://abetterbouncecard.com/
 
Well it works very well, its a little on the big side as it is a flash gun that sits to the side of the camera on a bracket, has bounce and swivel and a secondary small flash under the big head. It works with auto settings, (sort of) But was worried about this voltage thing, i like my D80 as it is . . . . Working! But it would appear that voltage is 6v according to the meter. As always is with these things though do i actually know what i am doing? Erm NO! So at the moment I am not using flash untill i can get a definite answer to the problem. Have read there is a device you can place between the hotshoe and the flash to regulate the voltage enabling the use of older flashes. Any ideas anyone?
 
Steviegee1964 said:
If I was too purchase a speedlight, which one should i go for to replace my old flash unit? I need to be able to use the flash off camera, (ie to the side of the camera) be able to bounce off wall or ceiling. Or are there alternative makes, ie jessops own brands etc.
Click to expand...

I am sure Jessops own brand are competant, but not sure how much you would have to pay to get one that works remotely off your cameras "commander" mode
The SB 600 or 800 will do as you ask, bit pricey from Jessops and most other places, I bought my SB800 for £199 delivered from One Stop Digital, they are selling the SB600 for £127.99 here

Or Mpb photographic are selling a Nikon SB80DX here for £69. You would need to check if its ok with your camera though.
Allan
 
Adapter is quite expensive but might consider it as an option untill can get SB800 or 600. Again thanks for all the help and advice.
 
Why? your existing flashgun is fine as it is, lets face it if it wasn't then your camera would be fubar'd by now.
 
Fubar'd not heard that for a long time..... which film was that from? Kellys heroes or Private Ryan? Anyway regarding my Flash, I have only really used it for about 20 - 30 shots so not sure how long it would take to kill my D80 if it was going too! And really scared to use it at the moment. Even bought a manual for it hoping it would have the specs in it but nothing about Voltage just a few mentions of being compatible as a dedicated flash with Nikon Cameras Models FE & FM Canon A-1 AE-1 AV-1 AT-1 and Standard Flash for other makes. But that all means nowt to me!
 
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