Will my old Promaster work on my XTi?

[Just Be]

I have an old (1993?) Promaster FTD 5950 flash. Does anyone know if it will work on my XTi?

[Curtis N]

EOS digital cameras use a different flash metering system (E-TTL). The TTL flash you have might work in manual mode but not TTL. It might be possible to get a dedicated Canon E-TTL module to fit it but I don't know if that would be economically feasible.

[Just Be]

Thanks!
I just found a site that claims that it's a non-digital flash. It's really big and bulky anyway.

[braduardo]

It *will* work, since any flash will work in full-power/manual mode with your camera.

It IS safe to use on your camera.

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

This is a handy page to check to make sure a flash is safe to use. I've been using an old Vivatar flash I got for $4 at the thrift store for a while now, but now I have a 430EX on the way.

[FlashZebra]

The sync Voltage on the site mentioned above indicates a rater low 5.2 Volts.

In addition, if it is from 1993 it likely has a "automatic" function. Can you post a pic of the back of the unit.

If it has an "automatic" function it is likely to work nicely with you new Canon XTi.

Just put the flash foot (yes, Curtis) on the end of the cord on the XTi hotshoe, load some batteries, turn it on and see if you get a flash when you press the shutter (ignore the actual flash image that results). The pic of the back can help from that point.

Enjoy! Lon

[Just Be]

The sync Voltage on the site mentioned above indicates a rater low 5.2 Volts.

In addition, if it is from 1993 it likely has a "automatic" function. Can you post a pic of the back of the unit.

If it has an "automatic" function it is likely to work nicely with you new Canon XTi.

Just put the flash foot (yes, Curtis) on the end of the cord on the XTi hotshoe, load some batteries, turn it on and see if you get a flash when you press the shutter (ignore the actual flash image that results). The pic of the back can help from that point.

Enjoy! Lon

On the module it says...

M
1/16 or Full

Auto
TTL

[Curtis N]

Auto
TTLIs "Auto-TTL" one setting, or two separate settings?

Is there a circular hole on the front of the unit near the foot that could be the opening for a light sensor?

[Curtis N]

Apparently Promaster is still selling this model (link) (http://www.promaster.com/products/products.asp?CatID=150&CatSM=&SubCatID=7&CatName=Electronic%20Flash&SubCatName=35mm%20TTL&sm=sm2_1507&dir=&page=PROD&product=2760).

The specs are a little confusing. They list a "TTL auto range" and a "normal auto range". They also say "full TTL dedication".

Promaster sells most of their flashes as two-piece units. You combine the flash itself with a dedicated module for the brand of camera you're attaching it to.

From what I can tell from the picture, there is no light sensor and therefore no auto mode, at least with the Canon module. There may be a non-dedicated module available to use it as an automatic flash, but my hunch is that such a module would cost more than a Sunpak 383 or some other non-dedicated flash with similar capabilities.

Edit: I think this module (http://www.promaster.com/products/products.asp?CatID=150&CatSM=&SubCatID=9&CatName=Electronic%20Flash&SubCatName=Modules&sm=sm2_1509&dir=&page=PROD&product=FTM) or this module (http://www.promaster.com/products/products.asp?CatID=150&CatSM=&SubCatID=9&CatName=Electronic%20Flash&SubCatName=Modules&sm=sm2_1509&dir=&page=PROD&product=FTA) have full auto capabilities. If you have one of them, you're in luck. If not, check with your Promaster dealer.

[Just Be]

Thanks!
I just emailed Promaster. I'll let you know.

Honestly, I should just save a few bucks and get a Canon Speedlite.
The right tool for the job is rarely the cheapest.

[Just Be]

Is "Auto-TTL" one setting, or two separate settings?

Is there a circular hole on the front of the unit near the foot that could be the opening for a light sensor?

Auto is on top and TTL is on bottom, but it's the same setting.

[Curtis N]

Auto is on top and TTL is on bottom, but it's the same setting.The more I looked at the Promaster website, the more confused I got. A flash with (non-dedicated) auto capabilites will have some sort of guide on the back to help you select the right aperture/ISO combination in auto mode.

The Canon EX series Speedlites have some really neat capabilities that are completely unnecessary for 97% of flash photographs. Many wedding shooters and other pros still use (and swear by) the old-fashioned automatic flash units attached to their expensive new digital cameras.

[Just Be]

Promaster just emailed me a response...

" The Promaster FTD5950 is a great flash for 35mm cameras, but it
was not designed for the low sync voltage requirements or new ttl
flash systems of digital cameras. This flash will not work properly or
safely with the Digital Rebel XTi.
Promaster has a series of DX flash units and DX modules designed
specifically for the new TTL flash systems of digital cameras and their
low sync voltage requirements.
The FTD 5550DX is a bounce swivel flash (GN 100) that allows
you to bounce off a low white ceiling either horizontally or vertically.
This gives a much softer light in portrait situations and makes shadows
fall more naturally the way we are used to seeing them.
The FTD 5750DX adds a zoom head to acheive a guide# of 130
and adds a secondary fill flash to highlight under the eyes, nose and
chin when bouncing. This would be the digital compatible version of
your 5950.
These flash units use a removeable module like your FTD 5950 but
designed to fit only the DX flash units. For the Digital Rebel XTi you
would need the #2044DX module for Canon.
The 7500DX flash for EOS Digital cameras adds a motorized zoom
head that automatically zooms as you zoom your lens, to maximize
distance when in telephoto and give the proper angle of coverage
as you zoom back for a wide angle shot. Other features include multi
strobe flash, rear curtain sync, and an illuminated panel so you can see
your flash range and other settings at night.
The 7500DX does not use the removeable module system so
you would just buy the 7500DX version 2 for EOS #2037. "

[FlashZebra]

I wish the pics from the Promaster site were better, but it does list this:

• TTL Auto Range: 3-93' (ASA 100)
• Normal Auto Range: 3-65' (ASA 100)

Since there is two citations, that last one may be a "traditional" auto mode.

Please look very carefully at the front of the flash unit, and the module that goes on the camera. Do you see a small opening that can be a light sensor. This may be very small. I have often seen these consealed in the middle of the letter "O" in a product name.

Can you give us some pics of the actual unit, the Promaster site gives us little to work with.

Enjoy! Lon

[Curtis N]

Promaster's response brings up the trigger voltage issue which I have previously neglected in this thread. If you determine that your unit has a module capable of traditional auto mode, I would recommend testing the trigger voltage. One of the sticky threads near the top of this section has a link to a web page with instructions on how to do that.

On the aforementioned web page, there is a table with user-reported sync voltages of many flash units. One person reported less than 6v on the Promaster 5950, but different modules might have different voltage. It's best to check it yourself.

[Just Be]

Thanks for the help!

I don't find any sensor at all.

I'm just not going to take the chance and keep this for my Elan IIE and not even try it on the XTi.

I like the idea of the Promaster 7500DX. It has the bounce and "fill" flash on the same unit and can be fired at the same time. My Promaster has that and I find it very useful.

The price is reasonable at around $230. It's approx. the same price as a 430 EX.

[Curtis N]

I like the idea of the Promaster 7500DX. It has the bounce and "fill" flash on the same unit and can be fired at the same time.The Promaster 7500DX is a nice unit. One function it does not have is high speed sync. I have a 7500DX which I used on the 300D. I found that the fill light tended to produce redeye, so I quit using it and attached a bounce card instead.

Another option in the same price range worth considering is the Sigma EF-500 DG Super, which has the high speed sync option.

[Just Be]

The Promaster 7500DX is a nice unit. One function it does not have is high speed sync. I have a 7500DX which I used on the 300D. I found that the fill light tended to produce redeye, so I quit using it and attached a bounce card instead.

Another option in the same price range worth considering is the Sigma EF-500 DG Super, which has the high speed sync option.

When do we need a flash with high speed sync?

Can't the fill flash be adjusted?

[Curtis N]

High speed sync is has a specialized but quite valuable purpose. It allows the use of flash with shutter speeds faster than the flash sync speed of your camera. Fast shutter speeds are required for outdoor portraits when you want to use a large aperture to blur the background.

If you're shooting in the sun with the flash as fill, 1/200 shutter speed will require a small aperture around f/11. With high speed sync you can use 1/3200 shutter and f/2.8 if you like, to create blurred backgrounds for shots like this.

[Charles777]

I have been using my 5950 on my Rebel XT for a year now and have had no problems at all, the automatic module does have a front sensor and the auto mode is perfect. I do have the 7500DX but there is a big problem with that flash..sometimes it fires and sometimes it doesn't..I emailed promaster and they said that that is an issue with Canon cameras that they cannot correct..it does not "communicate" the way regular Canon flashes do so sometimes it will work and sometimes it will not. I talked to a Canon technician and he said that any other brand of flash other than Canon (naturally they would say that) will not work properly. Some people at work have METZ flashes on their canon cameras and they all say the same things..sometimes the flash fires and sometimes it doesn't..in my case, the flash sometimes also charges up but the ettl light does not come on..I have to power down the flash, take it off the flash shoe, put it back on, turn it on and then it may work 2 or 3 times and then misfire again. Promaster also said they cannot fix the error, it is just the way the flash is made so beware..if you can get it to work all the time with no problems let me know. I even sent my flash back for a replacement with the same result.
:o

[Shooting]

Yes, it will work fine. I have one myself and use it on my XT but I use the separate automatic module on the bottom. I use mine just for bouncing..no voltage trigger issues at all..very powerful..when bouncing thru a Lightsphere I put the head in the 35mm or wide position..1/60 at f/5.6 but flash on f/8 and no FEC or anything is needed..perfect.I also have a Promaster 7500DX for ettl and it works fine also but have to do a +1 FEC on it and my Canon 580ex II for proper exposure when bouncing..but the 5950 at f/8 and other settings in the first paragraph gives me all I need..