Is my flash safe?

[Floats]

I have recently acquired a Canon EOS 5 film body and I found an old Vivitar 255 flash lying around the house, it fits on the camera however I was wondering if it was of safe voltage to use on the Canon? I've searched the instruction manuals of flash and body however I've not found any guidance.

Having read that some old flashes operate at different voltages and using them on an incompatible body can fry the circuits you can imagine I am a little reluctant to find out by testing it.

 

[john-oh]

There are some trigger voltages here http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

I would guess it's a little high for the EOS 5, I beleive you can get a wein safe cell or some such to reduce voltages.

The usual worry is about digital cameras and old flashguns.

 

[Floats]

Yeah 284v may be a little high I'm not that bothered about using it as I got it free anyway but it would of been a bonus if it did.

Thanks John.