Nikon Bodies, Praktica flash, tech help please

[Yv]

I have a Nikon D70s and a D200, both have onboard flash of course, but I don't have a proper flash gun. I don't use a lot of flash generally and on the odd occasion I have done, the onboard has served the purpose, but with, of course, the usual problems of shadows, etc.

Searching through some cupboards the other week I found my old Praktica BD24 Flash Unit. Not the most glamourous piece of kit, but still works, so I need some advice if anyone can help.

I know modern digital cameras have a limit to the voltage on the hotshoe, too high and it can fry the cameras internals. I have tried the flash on the bodies in P mode and it works, but dont want to do it again unles I know its safe to do so. However, I cant find any technical information anywhere on the web about the units voltage, etc, so does anyone have the information to hand, or know where it can be found? Basically I just want to know if I am safe to use this flash unit with the Nikons? Like I say, I dont do too much flash work and money is at a premium, so if I can use this flash, its one less thing on the current list of 'needs and wants'

Next, and here is where my lack of knowledge about flash units really shows, do I need to adjust any settings on the camera? The unit itself has a slider on the back to adjust to the ISO being used, and I can set it to TTL or manual, but thats as much as I know....like I said, flash photography is not my strong point, in fact I would go as far as to say I am totally in the dark about the technical side of it :help::help:

Any help and advice very much appreciated.

[Gandhi]

I certainly wouldn't risk using it again unti you know what the coup is, Sometimes the damage can be cumulative. Have you thought about getting in touch with praktica?

It won't work ttl with the nikon unless it's a dedicated unit so yo will have to use it on manual. You may be best putting the camera on manual too. Adjust shutter speed for ambient light and aperture to control the flash intensity. There was a thread from janice about manual use of flash ages ago.

I would personaly look at getting a cheap, modern manual flash. Metz make one that'sabout £70 and is dedicated to nikon. so will do ttl metering, just not all the fancy stuff. Failing that, an sb28 or similar older nikon flash will work, just not with full functionality.

If you can't get the trigger voltages for the praktica I personaly wouldn't risk frying my d200 for the sake of spending £70

[Ross]

Extensive search of google revealed this

http://www.oldtimercameras.com/stock/Model.asp?Model=12449&ModelPage=true

£7.95 for a reprint of the original manual which may or may not give you the technical data you need.

As Gandhi has said it could be worth contacting the manufacturer directly.

[chuckles]

Here's a list of Flashguns and their compatibility (http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html) with the Canon EOS range. I think you can assume that Nikon's trigger voltages are about the same on the cameras.....

[Yv]

Thanks guys!

Gandhi - agree totally, definately wont use it until I am sure! I would get a unit, but atm, need to get a tripod head sometime in next couple of weeks, so thats the priority ;)

Ross and chuckles, many thanks, will check out those links, and try and get hold of Praktica too [dunno why I didnt think of that in the first place] :bonk:

:thumbs:

[antihero]

I am so, so glad LL started this thread.

I had an old Minolta x700 with a hanimex flash and through naivety didn't think there would be any problem using it on my d40x. I have probably taken about 6 shots with it, and luckily it hasn't fried my camera (touch wood) as its been measured at 196v! (thanks chuckles). Phew!

[Kev M]

It's funny how we all talk about the danger of high trigger voltage when it comes to digital cameras. In training I was told it's not the voltage that kills but the amps.

[chuckles]

It's funny how we all talk about the danger of high trigger voltage when it comes to digital cameras. In training I was told it's not the voltage that kills but the amps.

Indeed , it can be! But a very high voltage and low current will still fry something that is beyond it's service rating.

The EU in it's infinite wisdom regarded anything above 50V (don't quote me....) as being 'not good for you' so had to be protected and well insulated. The result being that manufacturers changed things to meet the new regulations.

The truth is some cameras had very low thresholds on the sync trigger connections which, when an older flashgun was used with a high trigger voltage, literally broke down and fried the circuits. Fuji bridge cameras were severely prone to this IIRC....

But, we're not just talking trigger circuits. There are a lot of connectors on cameras/guns some of which are completely incompatible across makes!

[HIMUPNORTH]

I cannot answer your question directly LL but don't throw away any of your old flash units. For a few quid you can buy wireless flash triggers off Fleabay which instantly brings them into play as a light source (handy for side/fill/rim lighting).

Not a help as far as using your existing flash ON camera I know but off-camera you have a second source of light in that Praktica unit!

Gary

[Yv]

:lol: Dont worry, I wont be,in fact, I suspect there might be a pentax unit round here somewhere too [and the old film SLR to go with it], so I have visions of having some sort of huge frame, old flash units mounted on each end, camera in the middle and the kids being forces to pose in front of bargain basement backdrop! :D