Old Flash

Amp34

Amp34

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Right, some help required if possible. :)

With some old photography kit we have lying around (just filters and such) there is also a flash, as I don't actually have one I was thinking of playing around with it a bit so was wondering if anyone had used one and knew what the settings were.

It's a Hanimex TX475 (I'm guessing around 20 years old, and pretty cheap?)

IMG_0932.jpg


At the front it has a little switch (Just below the "auto" and "off"), with the position shown showing an "M", sliding it across shows a green section with what looks like a bit of glass. Is this something to do with light metering? (which I assume won't work with a 400D?).

IMG_0934.jpg

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Next, the back; an on button, a ready light, and a force flash button, the dial I assume is the adjustment when the switch at the front is set to manual? I'm guessing you twist the outer bit round to the distance and then read off the aperture (yellow) to shoot at with the set ISO(ASA)?

Hopefully I'm going to put it to some use with a homemade diffuser for some macro work. :)
 
It will not work interactively with your camera. There are two modes of operation. In manual, you set the little yellow triangle to the distance you are working at and the number next to the ISO you are using is the aperture you need to use (as you suggest).

In auto, set the triangle to the 18' mark surrounded by green. Again, the correct aperture is the one next to your ISO. In this setting, 18' is the maximum distance. closer than that and the flash will automatically shut off the light when enough has been received based on the sensor at the front.

If you are going to diffuse it then it will need to put out a bit more power to compensate for the loss through the diffuser.

Keep the sensor clear and keep within about 8' of your subject and it should be o.k. For macro, there should be loads of spare power available.


Steve.
 
I'd check the trigger voltage before using it with your 400D, some of the older flashes can pop the newer DSLRs
 
Thanks :)

I assume by not working interactively you mean it won't do what you wrote in your second paragraph?

What shutter speed should I be using with the aperture and ISO settings?

I think i'll keep it set to manual and then play around with the settings and diffuser and see what I get. :)
 
mrgubby said:
I'd check the trigger voltage before using it with your 400D, some of the older flashes can pop the newer DSLRs
Click to expand...

Hmmm.:eek:

How do I do that? Although I assume it is ok as it's been used a few times by so far, but more just playing than actually shooting for keepers.
 
It will probably be fine. Most cameras now are o.k. up to about 250v - Check your manual.

If you have a meter you can measure it. Set the meter to a high DC volts range (about 500) turn on the flash and wait for the ready light to come on.

Carefully measure the voltage between the centre pin and the outer barrel of the connector. I would expect it to be around 80v for a flash like this.


Steve.
 
Amp34 said:
I assume by not working interactively you mean it won't do what you wrote in your second paragraph?
Click to expand...

No, I said it won't work interactively with your camera. It will work interactively with itself.

Modern camera and dedicated flash systems use TTL metering. That is the flash gets information from the camera about the actual light entering Through The Lens during exposure. This flash will not do that.



Steve.
 
Amp34 said:
What shutter speed should I be using with the aperture and ISO settings?
Click to expand...

The shutter speed does not affect exposure but it has to be slower than (or equal to) the maximum sync. speed of your camera. Again, check the manual but 1/125 is a good place to start.

The burst of flash is very much quicker than the shutter speed but the shutter has to be set to ensure that the whole of the shutter area is open as the flash fires. At faster speeds, the second curtain starts to close before the first curtain has fully opened. If you were to use something like 1/500 with flash, you would not get a full image.



Steve.
 
I'm such an idiot, how could I have forgotten that! Obviously shutter speed doesn't particularly matter... :lol:

Sync seems to be the same as modern flashes (1/250th) so anything below that should be fine.

Ahh I see, so it will still meter for itself but in modern TTL flashes they don't as such need the dial at the back?
 
Amp34 said:
Ahh I see, so it will still meter for itself but in modern TTL flashes they don't as such need the dial at the back?
Click to expand...

Yes. If you have a modern camera with a dedicated flash, the camera will communicate settings to the flash and it can work out when to turn off based on actual light received through the lens.

To understand flash properly though, you can't beat doing it manually.


Steve.
 
I would not dream of using it on a modern canon digital.
You may get away with it for a few go's But it would be a very expensive camera repair if it fails.
I would not even use an old style canon flash as the voltage was much higher in days past.
I know that a device is made for use on old flashes to bring the voltage to a safe level, it fits between the flash an camera.
 
Yes but if the camera can handle 250v then it will not be a problem. The voltage from the flash isn't ever going to get any higher if it goes wrong.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
It will probably be fine. Most cameras now are o.k. up to about 250v - Check your manual.
Click to expand...


That's an erroneous and misleading statement, put a 250v flash on any, for example, Nikon dslr and there's distinct chance you'll kill it. Very few modern dslrs will take 250 volts through the hotshoe and personally I wouldn't risk an expensive camera to have a go with a couple of quid's worth of old flashgun....
 
I read the title and thought the OP was having a pop at you Stan..............;)
 
Hmmm, so I guess that it's not a good idea to use the flash then on my Canon?
 
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