Overpowered flash.

[stephen_g]

I was using my sunpak auto 4205g thyristor flash (pistol grip, very similar to a 544) just fine for a few weeks via the PC sync cord, I assumed that it was okay to use with my 20d (not over 6v) after seeing a picture of another user on here using one with their 30d http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f6...p/100_1116.jpg
Teenage stupidity I guess.
I was shooting some macro with it a few weeks ago, and then it just stopped working all of a sudden, I just tested it with my dads old Olympus film camera and it went fine.

Could I have blown the flash trigger inside the camera?
I don't really know what the name for it is.
If I have broken it, is it fixable?

[tim]

Hard to say, but probably. Try a speedlite on it, in a camera store if you need to, or are there are lots of POTN users in Auckland (look at the GKPE thread in the general chat forum). It'll have to be sent to Canon to be looked at either way.

[CliveyBoy]

It is worth trying a different PC-Synch cable, too. Or, just squeeze the two half-round blades on the plug a little.

[stephen_g]

Alright then, I can't really afford a speedlight of my own at the moment, maybe I'll try pick one up in the holidays.

Is the hotshoe on the same wire/whatever it is as the pc plug?
I used another ultra old flash on the hotshoe and it went just fine, maybe it is just the cord, i'll try squeezing it now.

edit: well, squeezing the cord didn't help.

[Moppie]

Where abouts in Auckland are you?

I have a couple of spare flashes with PC Sync cords you can use to test your camera with.

The hot shoe is theoretically on the same circuit, but I wouldn't take it working as being a good indication the PC Sync socket on the camera is working.

[stephen_g]

Remuera.
I'm somewhat busy with school exams untill friday next week though.

Hmm, I hope I havn't totally fried it, does anyone have any idea of what it would cost to fix it if it is fried?

[Moppie]

College or Uni?
I have to pop into the city one evening this week or next week, I can swing past on my way there. It would only take a minute to put the flash on the camera and test it.

[PacAce]

The 20D can handle up to 250V of trigger voltage so I doubt you've fried the sync circuit of your camera (unless your flash is defective and surged at more than 250V while connected to the camera). Probably just a bad PC cable as othes here have already suggested.

[stephen_g]

College.

I thought it may have been a bad pc cord too, but it seemed to work when I tried it with my dads film camera.
Hmm, maybe I'll just buy a new one.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by stephen_g

College.

I thought it may have been a bad pc cord too, but it seemed to work when I tried it with my dads film camera.
Hmm, maybe I'll just buy a new one.

There are heads of cheap flashes on Trademe
I have 4 that I picked up for about $5 each.

[stephen_g]

I got one for 15 the other day, but it has gnarly looking hotshoe contacts, really sharp pointy ones, that I don't really want to wreck my shoe with.

[René Damkot]

Originally Posted by stephen_g

I got one for 15 the other day, but it has gnarly looking hotshoe contacts, really sharp pointy ones, that I don't really want to wreck my shoe with.

The contacts are "spring loaded"