Advice on an old flash...

J

JEmerson

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Josh
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I've never wanted a flash or felt the need for one as I much prefer fast primes especially since people don't notice the are being photographed great at parties!!

But I was recently given a little bit of camera kit (actually it was a pretty massive film kit - camera one zoom, a smashed prime, a working prime (all the lenses suffered severe fungus and are gone, but the camera, flash and the filters are in properly mint condition) anyway to the point, I have a Chinon Pro 990C flash, and I wondered if anyone knows if it can be used on any modern cameras. It might prove useful on xmas day, to get a few better snapshots in the gloomy lounge.

Oh and one filter I was puzzled by it's part of a Cokina A-Type set (67mm I think)and it Just says [A - 160 - POLA -France] No idea if it's linear or circular but I'm pretty certain it's a polariser anyone shed any light on this either.

Considering the stuff was given to me free as "I've got a point and shoot so I don't need this anymore' I was especially chuffed to see a Hoya Pro-1 and a few other Hoya filters plus a B+W UV!!

So can anyone give me any info on the flash? And whilst I'm here any info on the polariser.

Thanks in advance,
Josh

I will try and remeber post pictures tommorow, just doing this whilst watching spooks.
 
Josh,

The Chinon Pro 990C has a trigger voltage of 125V so it's very likely going to hurt your camera if you put it on the hotshoe....sorry.

The Cokin 160 is a linear polariser, not circular.

HTH

Bob
 
Thanks for the replies TBH that was what I had assumed, would using the flash off camera be any possible way of going about it.

Oh and I've read a little on the filter it seems the linear polariser will confuse autofocus potentially so I suppose it will work well enough for tripod use, when just usin he distance scale.
 
My DSLR is OK with flash trigger voltages up to 250v, check your camera manual.
I use a linear polariser and do not have problems, try it a and see.
 
Well, I've usde the linear polariser now we've had blue sky and that worked a treat, much better than using ND grads than I was before to balance the exposure, now it looks a bit more natural.

As for the flash thing as said above I have'nt tried it yet, because the first response says 125v will fry the camera (not fun). However the latest response seems to use flashes and reckons his camera is 'OK' to 250v. Anyone else have any input?

Maybe I'll read a bit more tommorow, once I'm a bit more sober. :D
 
JEmerson said:
Can I ask how you know this, and does anyone know what a safe voltage is for the 450D or 30D.
Click to expand...

I've been trawling through some old info and things may be better than first forecast. (I did say "likely hurt" and not "will fry")
The 300D and 10D both had max trigger voltages of 6v whilst the 1srs bodies would take 250v. The 40D had upped its max trigger to 250v in line with the 1srs....when in the line did the change occur....your guess.

The 125v on the 990C is just from info I've collected over the years.

Bob
 
The 450D supposedly handles up to 250V. Hmm... I've not heard of many newer cameras frying. Is the hotshoe a separate circuit?

Thanks for the help CanonBob
 
The hot shoe and PC port will support the same voltage on all Canon EOS bodies.

Edit....Cut and pasted from records
Canon Digital SLRs safe for TCV up to 250 volts:
EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D, EOS-1Ds
EOS 30D, 20D, 5D
EOS Digital Rebel XTi, XT (400D/350D)
EOS D6000/D2000, Kodak DCS560/DCS520 (circa 1998)
EOS-DCS series (circa 1995)


Canon Digital SLRs safe for TCV up to 6 volts:
EOS 10D, D60, D30
EOS Digital Rebel (300D)


Canon 35mm SLRs safe for TCV up to 250 volts:
EOS-1V, EOS-1N, EOS-1, EOS 3


Canon 35mm and IX240 SLRs safe for TCV up to 6 volts:
EOS 650, 620, 630, RT
EOS 850, 750, 700
EOS Rebel Series
EOS Elan Series
EOS 10s, A2E, A2
EOS IX, IX Lite
T90


Canon SLRs released earlier than the T90 did not have TTL flash circuits, and comprehensive information on safe TCV levels is not available.


The trigger circuit voltage (TCV) rating for any EOS SLR is the same on the hot shoe as it is on the PC terminal (if the camera has one), but the acceptable TCV level varies according to the camera model. Incidentally, the main reason for the difference is the way the X-sync signal is generated. With the 250V cameras, the X-sync signal is generated electronically. With the 6V cameras, the X-sync signal is generated mechanically. There are no guarantees, but going forward I anticipate that most if not all future EOS SLRs will be safe for TCV up to 250 volts.

Bob
 
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