Australian_Photography_-_June_2016_

(C. Jardin) #1

Old flash, new camera


Q


I own a National PE387S flash
unit which I have used for many
years, firstly with a mechanical
camera, and subsequently with a Nikon
F50 film camera. I recently purchased a
Nikon D610 digital camera and would
like to continue using the flash unit.
Unfortunately I have been unable to
find out if the flash unit is compatible
with my new camera, which I believe
would have to be used in manual mode
only, but that’s ok. From http://www.botzilla.
com/photo/strobeVolts.html I have
ascertained that the strobe trigger voltage
for the unit is 7.8 volts. Can I use it?
Helmut Wagner, Gymea, NSW.

A


With old f lash units and modern
digital cameras, proceeding
slowly and cautiously is
important, as the situation is always more
convoluted and complicated than it may at
first appear.
Keen AP reader Andrew Cerasuolo
has previously written to me on this
subject, prompted by an answer which
appeared in the December 2015 issue of
AP. “A while ago the Australian electronic
magazine Silicon Chip wrote an article
on this subject. They disagreed with the
http://www.botzilla.com website, and a few
others, stating you could not accurately
measure strobe voltages with an analogue
or digital multimeter.”
The issue of Silicon Chip in question
is April 2008, and the article is ‘A safe T
f lash’ by Ross Tester. The first two pages
of the article can be viewed here:
bit.ly/1N9zH
Alternatively, an additional paragraph
of text in which the author explains the
reasons for his reservations about the
accuracy of the trigger terminal voltages
listed on various websites can be found
here: bit.ly/1XwFovs

Putting the magazine aside, I agree
with using a transceiver system which
isolates the f lash from the camera. In
the worst case the old f lash might be
destroyed, and although it’s unlikely, it
is plausible. While I agree that a cheaper
digital multimeter with a lower input
impedance circuitry – as low as 1 meg-
ohm, rather than the preferable 10 meg-
ohm or higher, will load down the likely
high impedance circuitry of the f lash’s
trigger terminal, at least an indication will
be given as to whether the f lash unit is
likely to present a voltage which poses a
hazard to a particular DSLR.
Nikon themselves make a general
statement applicable to their entire range
of cameras, here: bit.ly/1S8oaRB
“The International Standards
Organisation (ISO) has published a
standard (ISO 10330-1992) describing
characteristics of synchronisers, ignition
circuits and connectors for cameras and
photof lash units.”
And: “All current Nikon cameras that

are equipped with a hot shoe f lash bracket
conform to this standard (0-250V). Do not
use f lash equipment that uses negative
voltage or a voltage over 250V with Nikon
cameras, as this may damage circuitry
within the camera. Please check the
trigger voltage with the manufacturer of
the f lash equipment before use with your
Nikon camera.”
Thankfully, this concurs with p.318 of
the owners’ manual for your camera.
“Use Only Nikon f lash accessories and
Nikon f lash units. Negative voltages or
voltages over 250V applied to the accessory
shoe could not only prevent normal
operation, but damage the sync circuitry of
the camera or f lash. Before using a Nikon
f lash unit not listed in this section, contact
a Nikon-authorized service representative
for more information.”
It’s understandable that any
manufacturer would advise against the
use of ‘off-brand’ accessories, as the
manufacturer has no inf luence over
whether the requisite specifications,

16 AUSTRALIANPHOTOGRAPHY.COM


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS


Prashphutita
A. Greco You’ve got questions,

we’ve got answers!


ABOVE RIGHT
Before attaching
an older flash unit
to a modern digital
camera, it’s prudent
to first establish
that the voltage on
its trigger terminal
is within the rated
limits for the specific
model of camera.


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AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2016
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