Jump to content

Using old strobes with X cameras


Recommended Posts

I don’t do any flash photography ( aside the very occasional use of the built in strobe in the cameras as a rather close up fill in device) since I am using this camera.

 

In past years I used a number of brands of Studio Strobes on digital Canon cameras without any problem at all.

 

Now I would like to use a slide copying device with a strobe which might have high voltage triggering.

 

Any ideas?

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've used ebay flash triggers to wireless trigger old Nikon SB-80 speedlights using my X-T1..

These do not provide TTL but are inexpensive.  Mine are branded ishoot but that does not mean much ;-).

Similar model: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-WANSEN-16-Channels-Wireless-Radio-Remote-Studio-Flash-Trigger-Receiver-/151973937364?hash=item23625a40d4:g:xKkAAOSwoydWtB4I

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for your help but I am afraid that I might have not made myself clear. I wasn’t talking of the physical possibility to use my cameras with manual flashes.

 

What I am talking about is using a flash ( in my case a light box)  with a trigger tension which might be damaging the camera. The unit in question, by the way doesn’t even have a hot shoe.

 

You must not be familiar with this phenomenon perhaps you better read about it before you do anything wrong.

 

http://dpanswers.com/content/genrc_flash_measuretv.php

 

This article starts  with” Some old flash units are known to have DANGEROUSLY high trigger voltages...."

 

There would be no problem if one could measure it and one would know what is safe for the Fuji circuitry.

 

Since I cannot measure the unit before buying I was  trying an alternative route.

 

Anyway other solutions above have already addressed the way to solve this problem.

 

Thanks anyway.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest thiswayup

Thanks for your help but I am afraid that I might have not made myself clear. I wasn’t talking of the physical possibility to use my cameras with manual flashes.

 

What I am talking about is using a flash ( in my case a light box)  with a trigger tension which might be damaging the camera. The unit in question, by the way doesn’t even have a hot shoe.

 

You must not be familiar with this phenomenon perhaps you better read about it before you do anything wrong.

 

http://dpanswers.com/content/genrc_flash_measuretv.php

 

This article starts  with” Some old flash units are known to have DANGEROUSLY high trigger voltages...."

 

There would be no problem if one could measure it and one would know what is safe for the Fuji circuitry.

 

Since I cannot measure the unit before buying I was  trying an alternative route.

 

 

You can find trigger voltages for most popular older flash units online; very few go over the 300V that most Fuji X will take safely. Eg

 

http://dpanswers.com/roztr/volt_finder.php

 

Checking a trigger volatage is easy with a cheap multimeter

 

http://dpanswers.com/content/genrc_flash_measuretv.php

 

..If you're worried the voltage might be too high, then just buy from a seller with a return policy. But sanely, any device safe for digital cameras will be safe for something like a camera with a 300V trigger - that's a freakishly high figure for a digital camera.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Does this high voltage problem still remain if using a PC cord on my Fujifilm x pro 2? I have shoot about 5 frames with a PC cord on it with a Vivitar 283 flash made in Japan

 

Watch out for the older Viv 283 - I had one that put nearly 400v. One time I used it in a handle grip at an event and it put the voltage right through my face to the camera (Koni-Omega 6x7 RF). Bad PC cord. Crazy!

Edited by Max_Elmar
Link to post
Share on other sites

Watch out for the older Viv 283 - I had one that put nearly 400v. One time I used it in a handle grip at an event and it put the voltage right through my face to the camera (Koni-Omega 6x7 RF). Bad PC cord. Crazy!

 

Wow...must have been a shock.

 

The PC cord probably isn't properly insulated or they may be using materials with the wrong dielectric properties!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...