horror story (there's so much to know!!!)

[montreal]

Okay, so it was my little nephew's birthday last weekend. My dad was there, with his old Canon T50 (with 244T flash).

I don't have a separate flash unit yet for my 300d. So there I am thinking: "I wonder what results I would get if I took a few shots with that 244T on my camera". And there I am trying it.

Earlier today, I'm reading about flashes on photonotes.org and I read that older flash units shouldn't be used on digital cameras because some of them have high trigger voltages and can damage the electronics in newer cameras :shock:

In the end I found a website that says the 244T has a trigger voltage around 4 volts (plenty under the 6 volts limit set by Canon for the 300d).

But honestly, how is one supposed to know such things! It's unsettling to know I could have ruined my camera just by trying a flash unit. I sure am going to be more careful from now on.

I thought I should share the story, since other people might not know about the risks of using older flash units.

[Curtis N]

I agree, there should be clear warnings in the instruction manual.

[davepgh1]

If you want to play around with old equipment, get yourself a Wein Safe Sync, it will knock 400 volts down to six. I have a HSHS model (hot shoe to hot shoe), it allows you to connect a flash via a your hot shoe and also provides a "PC" plug which the 300D does not support.

[Eric DeCastro]

welll I actually have known this for a few years now. Ihave seen some that have flash voltage acros the hot shoe. that is around 300 something volts.

[chakras]

Oops. I was not aware of that, I am still using my old Vivitar flash. It is the same one I started using on my Canon Rebel back in 2000. Is there a way of verifying if I should be discontinuing it ?

[chakras]

Vivitar 3200A to be precise.

[Eric DeCastro]

you would know right away. might even smoke.

[chakras]

<QUOTE>
you would know right away. might even smoke.
</QUOTE>

Lucky for me, I don't have a camera fry by now:D. I have been using it for the last two months (but very infrequently, maybe 20-25 odd shots)

<QUOTE>
Check out this website and then cry.
</QUOTE>

Somehow, I didn't get my model in there. Maybe because it is an Asian variety ?

[robertwgross]

For each Canon camera of this family, there is a Canon System Chart. It shows what flash units and accessories will plug together and work compatibly. If you are considering some item that is not on the chart, then you need to do some homework, but if it shows on the chart, don't worry.

---Bob Gross---

[lostdoggy]

you can tried the shock method!!!

[chakras]

ok - so what is the shock method ? Use the flash on the camera anyway. Then you are 'shocked' to find you screwed your camera up, dispose of it, and buy a new one. Try the same flash on this new camera ?;);):lol::lol:

Seriously, is there a way to check this voltage using multimeter for instance ?

[Titus213]

you would know right away. might even smoke.

My understanding is that this damage can be cumulative. It won't necessarily fry it right now but could seriously reduce the life. I almost made the same mistake but had spent several months reading the info on the net before trying my old flash unit on the 300D. I spent the $50 for the Wein Safe-sync first.

[robertwgross]

Seriously, is there a way to check this voltage using multimeter for instance ?

Yes, a DC voltmeter works fine. The old non-Canon flash units had trigger voltages of 100-300 volts. I have an old Vivitar that has 170 on it. Canon flash units will have something like 5-6 volts.

---Bob Gross---

[montreal]

Glad to see at least one person learned from my experience. And Dave (titus) is right. The camera won't be damaged instantly. Here's what photonotes.org says (http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index2.html#trigger)

QUOTE FOLLOWS:


Anyway. If you intend to connect an old flash to your EOS camera’s hotshoe be absolutely sure that its trigger voltage does not exceed 6 volts if you aren’t sure whether or not the camera can handle it. You can measure this with a voltmeter. Various accessories, such as the Wein Safe-Sync HS hotshoe unit, can be used to protect the camera from these high voltages if you want to use such a flash. Even safer are optical triggers, since there are no physical connections between the camera and flash unit at all.
Note that the damage to the camera can be subtle and cumulative - simply hooking up the flash and seeing if it works is no guarantee that the high voltage isn’t slowly damaging your camera’s flash circuit - arcing and pitting connectors and breaking down internal components.

[chakras]

ok, got it - so I have two options now, use a Wein Safe-Sync HS unit, or buy a new Speedlite. umm... need to check my finances again:o

[nat869]

ok, got it - so I have two options now, use a Wein Safe-Sync HS unit, or buy a new Speedlite. umm... need to check my finances again:o

A safe sync is a lot less expensive than a new speedlite. I have one in my bag everywhere I go.