Hotshoe, sync cord, polarity, etc. Question . . .

[BayAreaPhotog]

I have a D60 and I am interested in buying some Monolites. I keep hearing about digital cameras can be fried much easier than film cameras when there is polarity issues, etc. I am going to buy a hotshoe adapter that has a pc connection and a Sync cord that is pc to ac. I have also been told about a hotshoe adapter that has a surge protection built in . . . I think it is made by Wein ? I have also been told that ProFoto and Bron . . both offer systems that you don't have to worry about reversed polarity. . . HELP, my head is spinning. Can anybody help me sort this out. I realize that every salesman wants to sell me the brand he offers and the most expensive line. I just want Monolites, don't have to be top of the line and I don't want to fry my camera. Any specific brand suggestions or thoughts. Thanks.

[chris.bailey]

I have a D60 and I am interested in buying some Monolites. I keep hearing about digital cameras can be fried much easier than film cameras when there is polarity issues, etc. I am going to buy a hotshoe adapter that has a pc connection and a Sync cord that is pc to ac. I have also been told about a hotshoe adapter that has a surge protection built in . . . I think it is made by Wein ? I have also been told that ProFoto and Bron . . both offer systems that you don't have to worry about reversed polarity. . . HELP, my head is spinning. Can anybody help me sort this out. I realize that every salesman wants to sell me the brand he offers and the most expensive line. I just want Monolites, don't have to be top of the line and I don't want to fry my camera. Any specific brand suggestions or thoughts. Thanks.

DEFINATELY put a Wein Safge Synch module between and form of studio light and the Camera. As I recall the D60 is deigned to work on a sync voltage of 6v, most flash units use upwards of 16. Though many say trhey dont bother, the Wein is a few bucks.

You do need to make sure the polarity of the flash suits that of the Canon. On the canon the centre terminal of the connector is +ve. The only other advice I can offer is that I use Bowens Mono's connected as above and have had no problems in a couple of thousand shots!

[slin100]

Canon's official or semi-official specification for sync voltage is 6V. Many, if not most, strobes conform to some (ISO?) standard voltage which is higher than 6V. Therefore, the safest thing to do is to use a voltage regulator like the Wein Safe Sync.

Paramount Cords (http://www.paramountcords.com) also offers voltage-regulation as an option on all of their cords. Paramount is very pricy, but I've heard that their quality is second to none. You can also find Paramount at B&H Photo (http://www.bhphoto.com).

[dennykyser]

Do you still need these (voltage regulaters) if your strobes are rated for 5-6 V. I have not used any surge protection but have been careful when purchasing strobes. If there is still a risk, I will purchase someting right away. I see they are $49.00 at B&H, I have never had a problem before but if anyone here has heard differant please let me know.

Denny

[SnJPhoto]

Denny - I don't think you have a problem as long as you stay under the canon spec. I've been usin Alien Bees lights with it ang no problems. I was surprised to hear of so many light manufacturers that build to a higher voltage. Seems like a place where they would want to build to the cameras in use in the industry. Gues thats why there are companies like Weir....

Scott

[flyfishnj]

My understanding is you need to be concerned with trigger voltages if you use a hot shoe adapter. Does the D60 have a PC jack?

Here are specs for some monolights

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

[dennykyser]

Thanks Scott,

I see all white lightning, Alien bees, and Photogenic are either 5 or 6 so not going to worry about it. UNLESS, having 3 lights conected to the pc terminal could increase voltage, but I am assuming that it wont.

[scottbergerphoto]

The Hot Shoe and PC socket are on the same circuit and are also attached to the shutter. The damage from excess voltage can be slow and cumulative. It is expensive to replace a shutter. I suggest you follow the good advice above and buy a Wein Hot Shoe Safe Sync. The other option is a Pocket Wizard or FreeWire set up.
Scott

[SnJPhoto]

scottbergerphoto - I don't understand the comment about how the voltage is cumulative and slow. Can you explain that a bit more. I've never heard of cumulative affects of voltage in cicuitry, but am not professing to be the world expert either.



Scott

[scottbergerphoto]

scottbergerphoto - I don't understand the comment about how the voltage is cumulative and slow. Can you explain that a bit more. I've never heard of cumulative affects of voltage in cicuitry, but am not professing to be the world expert either.



Scott
All I can tell you is that there have beeen a number of threads on this subject in this forum and over at Rob Galbraith's forum. The consensus from the experts is that there are components to this circuit that are sensitive to the cumultaive effects of excess voltage and that over time it will fry the shutter. It's been along time since college physics (30 years), but doesn't excess voltage result in the production of heat? and doesn't heat melt things like soft metal and pastic circuit boards?
Regards,
Scott

[chris.bailey]

For the cost of a Wein Safe Sync (£30 so $50 or so) I realy cannot see the point of risking frying the shutter terminals on your D60 or 10D. Even though the voltage might be down at around 6v, you are firing a massive flash unit (albeit only the primary circuit) with a pair of terminal the size of a matchhead. The chance of some stray current to my mind is very possible.