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archie
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 03:20
Hi,
I just bought two new Sigma EF-430 Flashes for minolta on impulse really cheap in an online auction.
Would any one know how to mod these to include a mini jack sync port?
I know it is a long shot, but its worth a try.
Cheers
Archie
tim
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 03:38
Should be easy, just add a port that has the same contacts as the hotshoe.
archie
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 03:53
That is what I was thinking, but I haven't done a mod like this before.
I was considering just intercepting the wires that led to the hotshoe contacts and adding a connector to those. Due think the polarity would be an issue?
archie
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 17:20
what size jack would anyone suggest?
tim
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 17:53
I wouldn't think polarity would be an issue. Go for the standard size, 3.5mm mono if it'll fit. If not 2.5mm, or last resort a sync port.
MT Stringer
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 18:53
If all else fails, contact Michael Bass. He can fix you up.
Mike
MT Stringer
29th of April 2009 (Wed), 18:57
What models? ST, Super?
Mike
archie
30th of April 2009 (Thu), 05:11
Hi Mike,
The spec of the flashes that I bought online is-
Sigma EF-430 Standard Flash for Minolta
Will that make a difference?
factorgrimm
1st of May 2009 (Fri), 05:00
I would like to mod my sigma dg 530 super to have a sync port as well. I figure it's simply a matter of co-wiring the port to the contacts for the hot shoe, inside.

Anyone know where to find some info on how these are wired? What ARE the various contacts on a hot shoe for, specifically? If I can find this info I am going to attempt to mod my flash. I have some experience with electronics, however minor.

Good luck to you!
PacAce
1st of May 2009 (Fri), 06:27
Unfortunately, it won't be as easy as installing a jack connected to the hotshoe wires to use the EF 430 off camera. The Sigma EF 430 was not designed to be used off camera (the hotshoe contacts are disabled when not sitting in the camera hotshoe).
MT Stringer
1st of May 2009 (Fri), 10:25
Looks like Michael Bass Designs (http://michaelbass.blogspot.com/) starts with the Sigma EF-500 for his mods. I guess you could always send him an email and ask about your flash (EF-430).

Mike
archie
4th of May 2009 (Mon), 05:07
Thanks for the input people,
I emailed Michael Bass with the query but have not heard back.

"Unfortunately, it won't be as easy as installing a jack connected to the hotshoe wires to use the EF 430 off camera. The Sigma EF 430 was not designed to be used off camera (the hotshoe contacts are disabled when not sitting in the camera hotshoe)."

Thanks PacAce, do you know what mechanism controls the contact activation, there has to be some way to by pass or doctor this?...
PacAce
9th of May 2009 (Sat), 09:26
Thanks for the input people,
I emailed Michael Bass with the query but have not heard back.

"Unfortunately, it won't be as easy as installing a jack connected to the hotshoe wires to use the EF 430 off camera. The Sigma EF 430 was not designed to be used off camera (the hotshoe contacts are disabled when not sitting in the camera hotshoe)."

Thanks PacAce, do you know what mechanism controls the contact activation, there has to be some way to by pass or doctor this?...
Sorry, but I don't know the answer to that question. However, as a comparison, the Metz 58 AF-1c used to behave the same way where it couldn't be triggered off camera when it first hit the market. Metz later came out with a firmware upgrade that allowed it to be used off camera without any physical modifications being required to make it work that way.

I image the Sigma is similarly driven by a firmware code to keep it from working off camera.