Fix for an old flash

I recently found an old Nikon SB-16 at my mom's house. When I went to put some batteries in it to test it I noticed that there was no metal on the battery door (see pic below).

How can I test to see if this thing will still fire? Do I just need to metal on the contacts of the battery to complete the circuit?

I apologize if this is a really stupid question. bit I would really like to get this thing working as a secondary flash if possible.

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The SB 16 comes with its own batt holder

http://www.mir.com.my …h/sb16ab/manual​/index.htm

Lotto wrote in post #4955227
The SB 16 comes with its own batt holder

http://www.mir.com.my …h/sb16ab/manual​/index.htm

Thanks for the link. I don't have that piece for sure.

I found a fix for your flash!
http://cgi.ebay.com ….m118.l1247QQcm​dZViewItem

Mike

MT Stringer wrote in post #4956232
I found a fix for your flash!
http://cgi.ebay.com ….m118.l1247QQcm​dZViewItem

Mike

Nice! Thanks.

$20 sounds a little steep. I will watch it and see what happens.

Love this forum.

Oh, looks like it isn't an auction. I guess there is no need to watch it.

How could I test that this flash will even work if I had the battery holder? I don't want to drop 27 dollars just the find out the thing is fried.

The flash appears to be in good condition cosmetically. If the battery compartment is clean (no signs of corrosion), I'd say you have a good chance of it working.

Do you know of any history of that flash?

I guess it's just a chance you would have to take. That was the only auction I could find.
Good luck.
Mike

Another thought. It only has full manual power output, so you would have to calculate the ISO and lens aperature to get your exposure right.

Mike

Yeah. That is why I am not sure I would want to spend almost $30 for an old flash when I could get a sunpack or vivitar, etc for around $80 new (and I would know it works).

MT Stringer, I just wanted to update you since you were trying to help me out so much.

I was able to find a battery holder out of a REALLY old Canon flash (A33?). Of course it didn't fit into a nikon flash body, but after a little hack saw action and some chiseling (along with taking the entire body apart several times) the flash is working!.

I also recent got an optical slave that will fit right on the hot shoe, so this thing is now fully operational.

I was also surprised to see that the guide number on this thing is almost as high as my 430ex. 138 vs. 141 if I am reading the table correctly.

Congrats on the fix. Very resourcefull. We be hackin'!
Don't forget to use a little duck tape on that flash so it will look pro!
Mike