EF-430 and D70 problems?

I've bought a flash Sigma EF-430 (an old flash) and I want to know if there could be any problems with my nikon D70 (with the voltage or anything) i know it is a canon forum... but i think its really good so I'm learning of you guys.

So as it is an old flash I want to know if putting it on the hotshoe of the camera could damage it.

I'd be pleased if you can help me before trying it and damage the camera.

Thanks!!

Welcome to the forum.

The only problem is the D70. Simply hold the flash firmly, remove the D70, and replace with a 30D or 5D Canon.

Seriously though, I would probably contact Nikon Support about that. The main component there is the camera, and you would not want to ruin it by using an off brand flash.

I was Nikon before going digital, and while considering upgrading the equipment, I opted to get rid of all my gear, and start with Canon. Just because the compatibility issues were a nightmare.

Best of luck though...

I'm no expert on old Sigmas, but my guess is it's not compatible with digital cameras.

Digital cameras use entirely different flash metering systems which previous flash units were not designed for.

Additionally, Sigma makes dedicated flash units for various brands. You will need one designed for Nikon digital cameras.

Hey that's sooo fast... thank you.
No, curtis I've not explained well (i'm spanish, not english so i'm translate my words). I know this flash is not compatible (metering and other automatic and preset things) because it is old and was designed for analogic nikon, but i'll use it in manual.
My worries are about if there will be any damaged components if I put it on the camera and try to use it.
I've read that digital cameras are safe with 5-6V flashes. Found thishttp://www.botzilla.co​m/photo/strobeVolts.ht​ml
And for this model (using a canon eos, not a nikon but i think i won't be really important... is it?) of flash there are 2 test results, one of 4 (would be safe) and one of 10 (not safe)... but it says it is safe to use (what about the10v test?)

So tell me what do you think...

Thanks

That web page also has instructions so you can test it yourself. If you don't have a DC voltmeter, you probably know someone who does.

I don't know what the maximum trigger voltage is for the D70. If it's not specified in the camera manual then you may want to contact Nikon tech support.

Thank you curtis... i've not DC voltmeter (should i buy one? i don't know if i'll use it further...) I'll look for someone who has one...
But if anyone knows about it just tell me...

Thank you.

judialex wrote in post #2796196
Hey that's sooo fast... thank you.
No, curtis I've not explained well (i'm spanish, not english so i'm translate my words). I know this flash is not compatible (metering and other automatic and preset things) because it is old and was designed for analogic nikon, but i'll use it in manual.
My worries are about if there will be any damaged components if I put it on the camera and try to use it.
I've read that digital cameras are safe with 5-6V flashes. Found thishttp://www.botzilla.co​m/photo/strobeVolts.ht​ml
And for this model (using a canon eos, not a nikon but i think i won't be really important... is it?) of flash there are 2 test results, one of 4 (would be safe) and one of 10 (not safe)... but it says it is safe to use (what about the10v test?)

So tell me what do you think...

Thanks

You should test the Voltage on your particular flash unit, but in general Nikon SLR and DSLR hotshoes are a lot more accommodating to high sync Voltages and some Canon DSLR hotshoes (but I am not aware of the rating on a D70).

I suspect that Nikon may even give a Voltage rating on their hotshoes in their specifications.

But, my guess is that the Nikon D70 has a hotshoe that is robust enough to accommodate any sync Voltage less that 250 Volts, but please note that this is just an educated guess, I do not have the specifications for the D70.

Look in your manual the sync Voltage specification for your D70 may be there.

Edit - Just found this.

I just found this web citation, but I am unsure if it is correct (or not), Check your own manual.

"in the D70 manual (page 182) the spec for maximum sync voltage is 250 volts."

See (down the page quite a bit).
http://www.velocityrev​iews.com …vitar-flash-question.html

Enjoy! Lon

hey londuck... thank you... i've found the same on the manual 250V, but isn't it a too high value (i've read most of the digitals are for 5-6V and i found it a very large difference).

there are 3 opinions according that there is not problem (yours, the manual for 250v, and the voltage web) so if no one answers the opposite (hope to get a sure answer of it) I'll try it in a few days...

Wish good luck to me...

and thank you for the participation.

judialex wrote in post #2797254
but isn't it a too high value (i've read most of the digitals are for 5-6V and i found it a very large difference).

SOME digital cameras, even SOME film cameras, can only tolerate low sync Voltages (like 6 Volts).

But, some digital camera can tolerate much higher sync Voltages. Your D70 is one that can tolerate high sync Voltages (to 250 Volts, as it is with most Nikon DSLR cameras).

So, if your Sigma EF-430 has a sync Voltage of less than 250 Volts, you should be fine.

There are a lot of generalization like "i've read most of the digitals are for 5-6V" that are just ill formed, inaccurate, and do not convey an accurate picture of a much more complicated situation.

I have read that some of the older Nikon point and shoot with an external sync connector could not even tolerate 6 Volts. But your Nikon D70 seems pretty robust.

It would be nice if Canon gave a definitive sync Voltage limit specification on their hotshoes for their DSLR cameras (this is missing from the specifications). Canon does give a 250 Volt specification on their PC sync port.

Enjoy! Lon

I have the EF-430. It works fine on my 20D as a manual flash (voltage is not a problem). It only has 1st generation TTL metering, so if Nikon has updated their flash metering, then it won't work. However, if they haven't it should work fine as an auto flash too.

Thanks a lot!! I'll try the flash tomorrow and I'll tell you what about...

PS: Really thanks for the answers (i've been waiting for an answer in other spanish forums and noone knew nothing about it... and here in just few hours it's solved) so I'll keep having a look at this (I'm from nikon... but all of we like photos... thats the important isn't?)

Hello people!!
I've tested the flash with the d70 and... it works great... I put it in manual and stablish the settings on the flash and it works. Now I have to learn the use of flash (I'll look arround the forum) and start using it.

Thank you all.