Norman 200B+7D+RF-602s Safe To Fire??

I don't often post questions, as the search function and all the great sharing and advice here answers them, but I think I need advice and help on this one!

Recently became the owner of a complete and mint condition Norman 200B setup- 2 lights, y cable, extension cable, charger, sync cable to camera. I also have a set (3) Photogenic 600W/S Powerlights, one Yongnuo YN 468 and 2 Sunpac 383s. I am able to fire my Powerlights and all the small flashes with the RF602s and the setup worked out as planned with the Strobes and all the speedlights.

After some research, the question about safely firing these ( Normans ) from my 7D came to mind and there seems to be mixed opinions, as the newer cameras are suppose to be safe to 250V.


Now that I have thrown in the Normans, I am questioning if the setup
( wireless or camera direct ) can handle the Normans??

I had to get a HH plug to Jack connector ( got it from FlashZebra, great folks and quality products/service, I might add ) so I could fire the Normans from the camera or the supplied cables that came with the RF-602s.

I'd like to have this whole set fire together wirelessly, but it seems I may have a problem with either the camera ( safely firing, direct cable connection ) or with the FR-602s not handling the higher voltage?

The new 603s are rated to handle the Normans but aren't backward compatible with the 602s, so it would mean having to buy a whole new triggering system to get it all to work together )+:

While the 602s are inexpensive but I don't really want to fry one, if a little past experience from members here, with more knowledge and insight then I have could save me the grief (+:

Any help or advice much appreciated

So I thought I'd ask the lighting pros what they thought (+:
(1) if anyone is using the RT-602s to fire Norman 200bs
(2) Safe to fire with 7D direct?

I know I can get optical slave triggers, but that only really works for controlled situations.

I'm not at all familiar with the 602's, however I can tell you that I have fired Norman 400's directly via sync cords as well as with Pocket Wizards for years with 8-10 different Canon models. One thing you might want to check is how you are plugging the cord into the Norman head. Polarity matters. All of my sync cords, household to PC, or household to mini phone for the PW's need to be inserted into the Norman head Upside down.

Thank you very much Randy, for responding and the info, I'm soooo itching to just give this a test, but really don't want to end up with a fried camera, one of the 602s wouldn't be too upsetting, as I wouldn't mind having another transmitter and they sell a small 2 piece set that has a transmitter&receiver, but that still wouldn't solve my problem of not having a wireless trigger system that can play right with all the different equipment at the same time, if needed.

If I try it with the receivers and it doesn't work plug in one way, I'll try switching it upside down. Thank again

Jerry, you're certainly not going to fry your camera or your receivers if you are wireless. If you have been plugging your HH plugs into the Norman Heads with the cord end down, simply turn it Upside down, so the cord is coming out of the plug from the top and switch polarity. That's your problem. Trust me, I have 10 Norman 400B's, and have been using them for many years. I've used them with EOS film bodies, as well as D30's, D60's, 1D's, 1D MK2's, 1DS's, 50D's, and 5DMk2's.

Thanks again Randy, evidently the 200Bs are a different ,older model and different even from the 200Cs, but I'm going to give it a go with the triggers, but am going to hold out on going direct to camera, I think I'll drop an email to Norman and see what they say.

I appreciate your input and think I should err on the side of caution as far as the 7D is concerned, if I fry a receiver, not a big loss.

I think you are probably right though, as I have fired the Photogenic Strobes with the receivers and had no problem and those are older technology as well, just have never wanted to try with the camera direct!!! Thanks again

Jerry, your camera will handle the sync voltage of the 200B. I use the 200b with the 5dMkII, have not had any problems, and I've never heard of anyone having any problems. You will hear people warning against it, saying that you'll fry your camera, just more armchair experts.

Don't know about the safety of using the Yongnuo radio slave. I use 200b's with PW's all the time, though. No problems.

Have you considered using an optical slave? I know that optical slaves are not going to be usable in every situation, and that they are a bit out of vogue at the moment, since they are so low-tech, but I keep them in all my kits and use them a lot.

Thanks Woodsroad, thanks that makes me feel a lot better. Yes, I thought of a safe sync optical slave and that would work in a controlled situation, but was hoping I could get this all playing together seamlessly, regardless of the shooting environment.

Thinking about setting up light zones at a wedding/event venue and not worry about fall off or the need to play with different firing systems and, of course, use what I already have!!

The Normans are so much easier than larger strobes and do still pack more power that the Canon flashes. Thank