Using PhoenixD92-BZS flash with XT

[Duncreavy]

Will I damage my camera if I use this flash on the hot shoe? Will it work? Will any 3rd party flash work? Thanks for any advice.

[robertwgross]

What is the trigger voltage on the Phoenix product?

---Bob Gross---

[Duncreavy]

I can see everything in the specs but trigger voltage. I've sent an e-mail to Phoenix to ask for it. Thanks.

[robertwgross]

Basically, all of the Canon flashes are 5 volts or so at the trigger lead, so the Canon camera hotshoe is made to be compatible with 5-6 volts and no more. If you drop a high trigger voltage on it, such as 170 volts that an old Vivitar of mine had, then you stand a pretty fair chance of burning out portions of the Canon camera.

If you are forced to use that flash, and if you determine that its trigger voltage is too high to be safe, then there are add-on gadgets that will go in between that will protect the camera from the flash. Some of these gadgets are intended for these kinds of cameras and flashes, and some are not. Search for Wein.

Some people don't understand what we mean by the trigger voltage. In the old days, there would be one coaxial cable with PC connector where the flash unit attached to the camera. When the flash unit was turned on, you could measure a DC voltage present there, whether it was 5 volts or 250 volts or whatever. The (transistor) shutter circuit in the camera would have to deal with that voltage when it shorted that circuit to cause the flash to fire. Now, with modern Canon cameras and flashes, that trigger voltage is low, like 5 volts. Why? Well, for one thing, it is easier to put a 5-volt transistor in there instead of a 250-volt transistor. For another thing, that allows Canon to differentiate its products, and that semi-forces users to use Canon-only flashes, unless they really know what they are doing. Wein got in the middle of that.

---Bob Gross---

[Duncreavy]

Thank you so much. I certainly won't use the Phoenix until I find out.

[Duncreavy]

Phoenix just replied that it is 200 v. Thanks SOOOO much for your help. Now I have to figure out what flash to get.

[robertwgross]

For a Digital Rebel XT, I think you might want to start thinking about the Canon 420EX or 550EX or 580EX. Then there are one or two non-Canons that might be compatible. Maybe Sigma. There are others as well, like Metz. However, the farther you stray off from a Canon, the more compatibility issues you'll get into. Many flash units say that they are compatible with Canon, but they are only compatible in Manual mode. Canon E-TTL or E-TTL-II is awfully handy when you need to shoot in a hurry.

Some flash units have bells and whistles, and some are very automatic with no frills.

---Bob Gross---