Can I use my old Minolta flashes off-camera with my Canon 5D?

[SunTsu]

I have two old Minolta 4000 AF flashes that are still firing so I am hoping I can use them. I currently have one 580EX II and am thinking of getting at least one more for off-camera umbrella use. I'd like to use at least one of the Minolta 4000AF flashes in another umbrella while using the IR wireless system for the two 580EX II (one 580EX on camera and the other in an umbrella).

Does anyone know if I can hook up the Minolta (wired) to my 5D as a second off-camera flash? Thanks.

Edit: I've read that it's bad to mix lighting. Will I get poor results if I use:
- ambient room lighting (I can dim the pot lights)
- 2 x 580EX II
- Alien Bees light of some sort
- Minolta flash

[Curtis N]

With a hotshoe adapter and PC cord you should be able to connect it to the camera's PC socket. You can use it simultaneously with a Speedlite on the hotshoe. Make sure the Minolta's trigger voltage is under 250v.

You will have no E-TTL control of the Minolta so all flash units must be in manual mode.

[FlashZebra]

Do the Minolta 4000 AF flash units have the proprietary Minolta/Sony hotshoe/flash foot?

Do they have the proprietary Minolta/Sony sync connector on the side of the flash like this (the one on the right of the image)?

http://www.bobrock.com/Images/Minolta5600HS.jpg
Photo above by BobRock111565

If they have this type of port this thread may be helpful (not a lot of threads about Minolta/Sony gear on this forum).

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=363731

Enjoy! Lon

[nadtz]

The 4000AF seems to be one of those strange cases, it can be used, but you will have to do something like http://www.flickr.com/photos/shatt0r/580986959/ to get it working off camera. You can probably find more info via google, its not a flash I normally work with I just remember having seen that.

[Mum2J&M]

Ah, too bad. You'll have to get a different camera and send the 5D my way. ;)