Flashgun

[Saphire]

I have an old hotshoe type flashgun, does anyone know whether it would be safe to use on my 300d digital camera.

Saphire

[stevo]

Hi Christine

What make of flashgun is it you have?
Also what model is it?

Cheers Steve.

[Saphire]

Hi steve
its a Starblitz 16m it must be at least 25 years old and still working

[stevo]

Hi Christine

My advice would be to contact Canon www.canon.co.uk (http://www.canon.co.uk) & find out before using it because you have to take into consideration things like voltage.

Cheers Steve.

[Saphire]

Thanks Steve

I will do that

Christine

[robski]

For the 300D the trigger voltage must be under 6 Volts - These old generation guns most likely have a trigger Voltage in the order of 250 - 350 Volts.

this link explains and gives some examples

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

The List says "No" to 16M Starbliz as trigger voltage measured 170 Volts.

Robert

[Saphire]

Thanks Robski
That is a good site to put in my favourates, just in case I can find a flashgun on the list which is reasonably priced. Canons own flashguns for the digitals are just too over the top price wise for occasional use

Thanks again

Christine

[Corvus Corax]

Hi Christine,

You need to be careful with old flashguns and modern cameras, as the others have said the trigger voltages can be huge and will nuke the electrics of SLR's.

For more reasonably priced alternatives to Canon flash try looking at the Sigma range of dedicated units (on average around £100 less than the Canon equivalent) or Jessops for their own brand flash and Vivitar dedicated units.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/flashes_flashes.asp

http://www.jessops.com/shop.cfm

http://www.vivitar.com/Products/Flashes/flash.html


You need to be careful about disposal of the old Starblitz too, even without batteries or after prolonged storage the flash capacitor inside can still hold a considerable charge which can deliver a serious shock or burn if shorted out.

[robski]

I picked up a secondhand canon speedlite EX380 which is about the oldest model that will work with canon DSLR for about £70. Not all Canon EOS dedicated will work with DSLR.

I tried other cheaper options and controlling the exposure was hopeless so from my experience your have to shell out a bit of cash on a Sigma EF-500 DG ST or a EX380 or EX220 are the cheapest options. PS just remembered Metz do a few new models that will work with Canon DSLR. it's the requirement for E-ttl function that causes all the grief on older models.


Robert

[robski]

I just remember two other options I looked at. Vivitar slave flash guns that work with the pre-flash emitted on new flash systems. It seems 7dayshop are the only supplier in UK area.

This is a baby unit fill in
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=86474

This is a more powerful unit supplied with a flash bar to attach to camera.
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=72552


The Starbliz 16M (Guide No 16) would only be slightly better than the built in flash on the 300D (Guide No 13).

Robert

[Saphire]

Thanks again robski the more powerful one looks like it will do the job nicely and its at a good price. I have used the Starblitz only as a slave close to whatever I need extra light for, but need one I can attach to the camera for more flexability.

Christine

[citrinella]

Hi Christine,
Does your Starblitz have a light sensor which triggers it when you are using it as a slave ? If, you will still be able to use it as a slave, triggering it with the 300d built in flash.

I have been doing this with my old Wotan slave. For some reason, the 300d cannot get the exposure right. However, I have found pre-setting the flash exposure (see Flash Exposure lock in the manual) without the slave to a slightly brighter area gives goos results. Of course, when you fire the flash during the pre-setting process, the slave flash fires, so you must aim away from the area lit by the slave when pre-setting. You also need to give your slave time to recover !

It is slow, and I find the buttons on the 300d a pig to work. Given that, I find it an excellent way of overcoming some of the shortcomings of the built in flash.

HTH,
Mike.

[Saphire]

Hi Mike
I have found if I turn off the red eye preflash on my 300d it works fine. The starblitz only has a 19ft coverage so not very strong plus I have to make sure it is in view of the 300d otherwise it doesn't pick up and fire.

Christine

[citrinella]

Hi Mike
I have found if I turn off the red eye preflash on my 300d it works fine. The starblitz only has a 19ft coverage so not very strong plus I have to make sure it is in view of the 300d otherwise it doesn't pick up and fire.

Christine

Sounds like you know a lot more about it than me :-) I'll look into that, thanks.

Mike.

[robski]

Another problem to consider with slaves flashes is it firing on the pre-flash ( exposure setting flash ) and not the actual flash. So older designs of slaves are no good for modern flash systems.

Hence the Vivitar has a learning mode for the pre-flash. Some manufactures I understand send out 2 pre-flashes.


A useful link on Canon E-TTL flash system

http://eosdoc.com/manuals/flash/ETTLDx/

Robert

[robski]

I just bumped into another modern slave unit (understands pre-flash)

Sunpak Remote lite 2 runs off 2 AA batteries so I guess it's Guide No 16.

Sells for about £30 including a flash bar to mount.

Robert

[citrinella]

Hi Mike
I have found if I turn off the red eye preflash on my 300d it works fine. The starblitz only has a 19ft coverage so not very strong plus I have to make sure it is in view of the 300d otherwise it doesn't pick up and fire.

Christine
I checked, and I already had the red eye pre-flash turned off.

Mike.