Rebel and external flash

[rayh2]

I'm trying to figure out how to use the Digital Rebel with an external flash. I bought a hot shoe adapter but when I try to take a shot I get an error message. Any ideas??

[Ballen Photo]

I'm trying to figure out how to use the Digital Rebel with an external flash. I bought a hot shoe adapter but when I try to take a shot I get an error message. Any ideas??
A "Hot shoe adapter"? What flash are you trying to use?
-Bruce

[rayh2]

Just an older strobe like a Vivitar or Sunpak

[Cash--]

wonder if my old starblitz 3600 would work with my d-reb

[PacAce]

I'm trying to figure out how to use the Digital Rebel with an external flash. I bought a hot shoe adapter but when I try to take a shot I get an error message. Any ideas??

What flash are you using?

What's the error message you're getting?

[Ballen Photo]

Just an older strobe like a Vivitar or SunpakAhh, So it's a "Voltage Safety" adapter. In theory it should work, albeit full manual using your F stops to control distance of flash, but it sounds like your camera is not liking that idea. :shock: Are you using a Wein safety sync?
You might try cleaning the contacts and reseating the flash/adapter combo.
If that doesn't do it, then I'm stumped. :rolleyes:
Good luck.
-Bruce

[rayh2]

Iknow that the DRebel is at the lower end of the EOS line but if you wanted to use it in astudio enviroment with pro strobes, how would you do it? I guess you could always work with photo slaves.

[rayh2]

I would like to use an older Sunpak 611. I'm getting error message 99.

[FlyingPete]

Iknow that the DRebel is at the lower end of the EOS line but if you wanted to use it in astudio enviroment with pro strobes, how would you do it? I guess you could always work with photo slaves.

That depends on whether or not the internal flash has a 'pre-fire' or not, if so then this won't work, as the slave units would fire on the preflash.

[rayh2]

The preflash can be by passed. I would be using this in the manual mode-that is setting the aperture and shutter speed.

[herojig]

wonder if my old starblitz 3600 would work with my d-reb
Did u get it to work? I have a rebel and I just posted a question regarding my pal's sale of studio lighting....thx

[DocFrankenstein]

I use older auto-thyristor flashes exclusively.

Wein sync goes on the rebel
Flash goes on the wein sync

I can't imagine getting err 99 once you attached the standard hotshoe mount.

Have you fired the flash without the voltage regulator?

[Hellashot]

Not every external flash will work with the digital EOS cameras. It may be an incompatability problem.

[davepgh1]

If you are using an older Vivitar or Sunpak, you are probably talking about the lower unit you attach to those puppies so that they are "compatible" with different cameras. Not a Wein or any other voltage protection unit. Older flash units maybe (probably) have more than the 6ma limit your 300D allows to trigger a flash. I think you have to have a 20D or above to get the 250ma limit, so a 350D maybe at risk. I would advise you to get a Wein Safe Hot Shoe Adapter.

Your camera is expecting your flash to support of a lot of features probably not around when your flash was sold. You could play it safe and use this unit as a slave unit, but it will probably fire full blast.

To answer someone else’s question, if you get that Wein adapter it also provides an safe PC plug so you do not have to use a flash mounted on the camera in a studio environment.

For all you electrical engineers out there, I suspect that 6ma is the wrong unit of measure but it is late and I need sleep.

[Titus213]

If the flash is an auto-thyristor like the Sunpak 555 it will work fine with the 300D. Camera set to manual, f-stop same as set on flash, Iso same as set on flash, shutter speed - ? I use 1/60. I also use a Wein Safe-sync on the camera.

For studio lights - Alien Bees - I use the safe sync pc adapter wired to the flash unit. Camera in manual again...

[robertwgross]

Older flash units maybe (probably) have more than the 6ma limit your 300D allows to trigger a flash. I think you have to have a 20D or above to get the 250ma limit, so a 350D maybe at risk.

You are confused. You mean 6 volts and 250 volts, not millamperes.

---Bob Gross---

[davepgh1]

You are confused. You mean 6 volts and 250 volts, not millamperes.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks I had that at first but if didn't look right.