PDA

View Full Version : Best Bargain Ever??? Flashgun for £10!

gothgirl
04-03-2010, 10:38
I saw an add on preloved for some ancient photography equipment, and I don't mean vintage I mean ancient tat :lol: there was some bits that were ok but most was just old...

Had a browse through though, and they had this pretty old flashgun

"Helios 28 Electronic Flashgun"

Now I figured, at £10er posted, It would do for staged shots of still life when I had the time to set it manually, and it had a hotshoe fitting to save me holding it, so why not.

Never at any point did I think it would work automatically with my camera! :eek:

So now I have a fully working electronic flashgun, that works on automatic and manual settings on my D60, for only £10!

Score!!

This is a belated victory dance though, bought it nearly a month ago but had no batteries lol
slimboy fat
04-03-2010, 10:41
as long as you checked the voltages before connecting it, otherwise you're a lot braver than me.
mark_farrell
04-03-2010, 10:44
as long as you checked the voltages before connecting it, otherwise you're a lot braver than me.

I heard about the voltages thing AFTER I'd tried my dad's ancient Nissin on my 5DII. Fortunately nothing went wrong, but I won't be doing it again...
The23rdman
04-03-2010, 10:45
Brave, very brave.
mark_farrell
04-03-2010, 10:56
Brave, very brave.

Quite. I just gulped when the guy in the camera shop told me with a very worried expression. (I'd only bought the camera a week earlier from them...)
gothgirl
04-03-2010, 17:55
It can't be that high a volatge, it runs on AA batteries :lol:
EdBray
04-03-2010, 18:00
It can't be that high a volatge, it runs on AA batteries :lol:

Very, Very wrong! :nono: The sync voltage can be well into the 500V range. :thumbsdown: How do you think a couple of AA batteries will give enough power to give a flash burst?

Most Digital cameras these days are okay up to about 250v but some are only good to about 25v so it is worth checking the flash sync voltage before attaching to a digital camera.
lawrie29
04-03-2010, 18:05
I would do some research, it could cost £10 plus a D60!!
gothgirl
04-03-2010, 18:06
Very, Very wrong! :nono: The sync voltage can be well into the 500V range. :thumbsdown: How do you think a couple of AA batteries will give enough power to give a flash burst?

Most Digital cameras these days are okay up to about 250v but some are only good to about 25v so it is worth checking the flash sync voltage before attaching to a digital camera.


I can't find a voltage on it anywhere? and I have the box and instructions?
Chris_Hoskins
04-03-2010, 18:09
how do you check the voltages? please forgive the amateur question!
EdBray
04-03-2010, 18:10
I can't find a voltage on it anywhere? and I have the box and instructions?

You won't, you would have to test it across the sync terminals with a multimeter set to DC volts.

What model is it?
EdinburghGary
04-03-2010, 18:10
I can't find a voltage on it anywhere? and I have the box and instructions?

Ramp it up to full power, stick your tongue on the connector and press TEST FLASH :D
gothgirl
04-03-2010, 18:11
You won't, you would have to test it across the sync terminals with a multimeter set to DC volts.

What model is it?


Helios 28 Battery operatred electronic flashgun
Beagletorque
04-03-2010, 18:13
I think the safe sync voltage for the D60 is stated as 6v (ie very low), the Helios 28 flash you have has been measured at 175volts (net search), I would advise not to use it or you will damage your camera. May be not the first time you fire it but many people have reported serious damage with older flashes on new DSLRs. You have been warned!
Beagletorque
04-03-2010, 18:15
Ramp it up to full power, stick your tongue on the connector and press TEST FLASH :D


This is very dangerous and may kill you. :cuckoo:
Hyster
04-03-2010, 18:16
If you have a multimeter you can check the voltage yourself...

Info (http://www.botzilla.com/photo/g1strobe.html)
EdinburghGary
04-03-2010, 18:19
This is very dangerous and may kill you. :cuckoo:

Shocker :eek: :D
gothgirl
04-03-2010, 18:24
So can't even use it with a wire then?
fracster
04-03-2010, 18:27
Ramp it up to full power, stick your tongue on the connector and press TEST FLASH :D

:lol:..........:thumbs:
EdBray
04-03-2010, 18:30
So can't even use it with a wire then?

No, but you could use it as a slave with a photocell trigger! (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Remote-Flash-Slave-Trigger-For-Canon-580EX-430EX-AQ05_W0QQitemZ300400174471QQcategoryZ48515QQcmdZVi ewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL% 252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BIE W%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26 clkid%3D8262549727534423080)
photon
04-03-2010, 18:31
So can't even use it with a wire then?

Use it with an optical slave trigger :thumbs:
The Matt
04-03-2010, 18:40
I put my cheap and potentially dangerous flash on a cheap radio trigger. If they both break each other, no massive loss.
david1701
04-03-2010, 19:35
I put my cheap and potentially dangerous flash on a cheap radio trigger. If they both break each other, no massive loss.

+1
gothgirl
04-03-2010, 19:54
Is this one ok for my d60 then?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Remote-Slave-Trigger-For-Canon-nikon-pentax-sony_W0QQitemZ150358410549QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Ca merasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN?h ash=item23020f4535
EdBray
04-03-2010, 20:16
Is this one ok for my d60 then?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Remote-Slave-Trigger-For-Canon-nikon-pentax-sony_W0QQitemZ150358410549QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Ca merasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN?h ash=item23020f4535

You put the flash onto that and then fire it with another flash such as the built in one. Will work fine with the Helios Flashgun.
dod
04-03-2010, 20:18
Is this one ok for my d60 then?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Remote-Slave-Trigger-For-Canon-nikon-pentax-sony_W0QQitemZ150358410549QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Ca merasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN?h ash=item23020f4535

pleased to see you didn't try the tongue test :)
cowasaki
04-03-2010, 20:23
This is how you test them :)


http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=1964378#post1964378
Hodders
04-03-2010, 22:02
This is very dangerous and may kill you. :cuckoo:

Wouldn't it just be like an electric fence. Volts cause the jolt, but it is the current that will kill you. No I am not volunteering to try it ;)
355858
05-03-2010, 00:50
lol it wont kill u but will hurt..
B1ts
05-03-2010, 01:49
yeabut the aneurysm it invokes may prove fatal ;)
Flash In The Pan
05-03-2010, 03:45
I put my cheap and potentially dangerous flash on a cheap radio trigger. If they both break each other, no massive loss.

+1

Usually followed by an email to the seller starting with "I've only used these once and........" :nono:

<-----is well aware of the symptoms of a fried set of triggers ;)

Wouldn't it just be like an electric fence. Volts cause the jolt, but it is the current that will kill you. No I am not volunteering to try it ;)

You don't fancy licking an electric fence then? :D
EdinburghGary
05-03-2010, 06:34
If you think licking an electric fence is bad, try peeing on one!!!!!! Ouch :D
gothgirl
05-03-2010, 11:02
I've been electrified before thanks, and don't fnacy repeating it!
RichardtheSane
05-03-2010, 11:31
Wouldn't it just be like an electric fence. Volts cause the jolt, but it is the current that will kill you. No I am not volunteering to try it ;)

After disassembling a flashgun that woulnd't work in my youth (Not that long ago actually) I can confirm that it feels remarkably similar to cattle fencing.

I came to that conclusion as I picked myself up off the floor wondering
a) Why my legs just totally failed me
b) Why my arm still won't respond to commands from my brain

Death? No. A couple of hours discomfort. Yes.
Beagletorque
05-03-2010, 12:03
After disassembling a flashgun that woulnd't work in my youth (Not that long ago actually) I can confirm that it feels remarkably similar to cattle fencing.

I came to that conclusion as I picked myself up off the floor wondering
a) Why my legs just totally failed me
b) Why my arm still won't respond to commands from my brain

Death? No. A couple of hours discomfort. Yes.



It's all about the amount of stored energy.
Electric fencers typically are very high voltage (10,000+) but very, very low current. Stored energy typically around 1 joule.
Typical flashguns will store 50 joules+, enough to stop the heart if your unlucky.
mrgubby
05-03-2010, 12:11
Typical flashguns will store 50 joules+, enough to stop the heart if your unlucky.

That's the power used to fire the flash, not the power available at the hotshoe.






(I still wouldn't lick it though :lol: )
Beagletorque
05-03-2010, 12:20
That's the power used to fire the flash, not the power available at the hotshoe.






(I still wouldn't lick it though :lol: )


Yes, but he had his flash gun to bits......
mark_farrell
05-03-2010, 12:38
Could have been worse....

http://lgo.mit.edu/blog/drewhill/files/nuclear-explosion.jpg