I have a 550D, and I have recently picked up a Canon speedlite 299T. It's an old flash from an automatic SLR.
What are the rules for using flashes on DSLR's. The sync voltage problems and what not.
This has 3 pins on it, I've seen things about taping 2 of the pins.
How does one test (or reliably find) the sync voltage of a flash and the sync voltage of the camera?
Do I need to build kind of a surge protector to go in between the flash and the camera?
Canons can only take up to 6V from the flash. Some older flashes can put out up to 400V from the trigger pin. I would search for that specific model or if you have a voltage meter take a reading from the center pin and the outside of the shoe.
The Canon 299T flash has a trigger voltage of 4.75 volts based on the information provided on http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html (http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html) ;)
Ah. I had seen that site as well. Thanks for the help. I will get my friend to voltmeter test it just to be safe as well.
If anybody else has anything to add, be much appreciated as well.
Older Canon flashes generally -work- on newer Canon cameras except you loose the automatic control and must set the exposure manually. If you start putting 3rd party flashes then the trigger voltage can be a problem because they were designed to work on many brands not just Canon (it would have been a huge design flaw if a canon flash could damage a canon camera). So your flash will probably not hurt anything, but its going to be very limited.
Careful - I fried my first dslr (400D / Rebel XTi) by using an old flash with it. Research before putting it on the camera :)
Quote from: coutts on March 05, 2013, 04:23:44 PM
Careful - I fried my first dslr (400D / Rebel XTi) by using an old flash with it. Research before putting it on the camera :)
I'd be interested in knowing what flash you used.
Quote from: ItsMeLenny on December 27, 2012, 07:02:14 AM
I have a 550D, and I have recently picked up a Canon speedlite 299T. It's an old flash from an automatic SLR.
What are the rules for using flashes on DSLR's. The sync voltage problems and what not.
This has 3 pins on it, I've seen things about taping 2 of the pins.
How does one test (or reliably find) the sync voltage of a flash and the sync voltage of the camera?
Do I need to build kind of a surge protector to go in between the flash and the camera?
The Canon 299T is probably the BEST old flash to use on a Canon DSLR. While it is old, it does have enough features to make it very usable. It has bounce and swivel head and can operate in Auto mode via a light sensor at the front of the flash. Just set the ISO and aperture on the flash to match the camera and you are "good to go".
Here is a link to a free online manual for the Canon 299T: http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/canon_speedlite_299t.pdf
Interesting topic.
I've just got yesterday (thanks uncle) a Canon 540EZ speedlite.
It is quite heavy but looks nice.
Any one knows if any chance to controll it remotely,maybe coupled wireless to the camera flash (600D).
I don't think it has wireless. Neither the flash or the camera.
So you would need both a transmitter for your camera and a receiver for your flash.
to ItsMeLenny, thanks.
maybe, do you know what should I have to check/measure, in order to safely use the 540EZ on 600D?
Thank you
I was under the impression that flash was an EOS flash.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/speedlite_flash_lineup
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/eos_slr_camera_systems/flashes/speedlite_540ez
You might have to double check that though.
This site lists lots of flashes voltages
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
and I think it also explains how to measure the volts.
If not you just need a volt meter and test between the contacts on the bottom of it when it flashes.
I have a multimeter, I will check.
Is it there a value to refer , in order to know if it is safe or not to use it?
thanks
< 6volts is safe I believe.