Old Flash on New Camera

Workingdog · 12-14-2009, 07:12 AM

I'm totally in the dark (no pun intended) when it comes to flash photography so I'm hoping for some sage advice.

I have an old Sunpack 333D flash unit for a Ricoh XR7 that is in working order. Can this flash be used with either a K10D or K7? I have read that a new DSLR can be damaged by an old flash. I guess there's more to it than getting a new hot shoe adapter?

Bill

MRRiley · 12-14-2009, 09:10 AM

STOP RIGHT THERE!

Don't hook that thing up unless you want to fry your camera! The old flashes triggered at much higher voltages than the modern camera can handle. There are adapters you can get to safely protect the camera from the flash and let you use it with your K10D or K7.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html

Mike

wildlifephotog · 12-14-2009, 01:54 PM

Check the trigger voltage with new or freshly charged batteries. Check here for other possibilities.
Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

**GordZ** · 12-14-2009, 05:44 PM

I have been using a AF500FTZ Pentax flash for years on my *stDS can it be safely used on a K7?

Thanks

wildlifephotog · 12-15-2009, 05:43 AM

The voltage is safe. It will be able to be used on the K7 in manual mode.

readone · 12-15-2009, 06:54 AM

This instructable shows you how to make a really easy and simple circuit, that protects your new camera from high trigger voltages in old flashes. It is completely safe and will not damage the cameras circuits!

It is better than those slave adapters that "look" for a flash, and then quickly activate the flash, since those adapters can be set off by other cameras. If you're at a party, that can be quite annoying.
1.what you need:
- general soldering equiptment - a sense of electronics - an Optocoupler with triac output (i.e. MOC3062) - 2 capacitors ( 10 Ã�ÂµF ) - 3 resistors ( 500, 1M, 30...80 ohms)
2.The circuit:
The circuit is pretty simple and streight forward. -The Optocoupler in the middle isolates the camera from the flash. If you don't know what an optcoupler is or what it do…
3.the case:
I got my self an adapter, that would give cameras that only have a hotshoe an PC cord connector
4.the result:
ofter squeezing everything inside, I got a battery clip from an old motherboard and glued it to the side of the adapter. And that is it. you can now connect pretty much an…
5.how to use:
now you just put the adapter on the camera and either mount the flash on the adapters hotshoe or use the PC cord. I like the PC cord alot, because it gives you alot of new…

SOldBear · 12-15-2009, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by readone

This instructable shows you how to make a really easy and simple circuit, that protects your new camera from high trigger voltages in old flashes. ......

I think I know what you mean. But your post appears to be out of place. Is this similar what you're trying to write about: Thread on DIY Safe-Sync

12-14-2009, 07:12 AM	#1
Workingdog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: York, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 736	Old Flash on New Camera I'm totally in the dark (no pun intended) when it comes to flash photography so I'm hoping for some sage advice. I have an old Sunpack 333D flash unit for a Ricoh XR7 that is in working order. Can this flash be used with either a K10D or K7? I have read that a new DSLR can be damaged by an old flash. I guess there's more to it than getting a new hot shoe adapter? Bill

12-14-2009, 09:10 AM	#2
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	STOP RIGHT THERE! Don't hook that thing up unless you want to fry your camera! The old flashes triggered at much higher voltages than the modern camera can handle. There are adapters you can get to safely protect the camera from the flash and let you use it with your K10D or K7. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html Mike Last edited by MRRiley; 12-14-2009 at 09:18 AM.

12-14-2009, 05:44 PM	#4
GordZ Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bobcaygeon, On Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 82	Flash I have been using a AF500FTZ Pentax flash for years on my *stDS can it be safely used on a K7? Thanks

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12-14-2009, 01:54 PM	#3
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	Check the trigger voltage with new or freshly charged batteries. Check here for other possibilities. Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

12-15-2009, 05:43 AM	#5
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	The voltage is safe. It will be able to be used on the K7 in manual mode.

12-15-2009, 06:54 AM	#6
readone New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: pontianak Posts: 6	This instructable shows you how to make a really easy and simple circuit, that protects your new camera from high trigger voltages in old flashes. It is completely safe and will not damage the cameras circuits! It is better than those slave adapters that "look" for a flash, and then quickly activate the flash, since those adapters can be set off by other cameras. If you're at a party, that can be quite annoying. 1.what you need: - general soldering equiptment - a sense of electronics - an Optocoupler with triac output (i.e. MOC3062) - 2 capacitors ( 10 Ã�ÂµF ) - 3 resistors ( 500, 1M, 30...80 ohms) 2.The circuit: The circuit is pretty simple and streight forward. -The Optocoupler in the middle isolates the camera from the flash. If you don't know what an optcoupler is or what it do… 3.the case: I got my self an adapter, that would give cameras that only have a hotshoe an PC cord connector 4.the result: ofter squeezing everything inside, I got a battery clip from an old motherboard and glued it to the side of the adapter. And that is it. you can now connect pretty much an… 5.how to use: now you just put the adapter on the camera and either mount the flash on the adapters hotshoe or use the PC cord. I like the PC cord alot, because it gives you alot of new…

12-15-2009, 12:58 PM	#7
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by readone This instructable shows you how to make a really easy and simple circuit, that protects your new camera from high trigger voltages in old flashes. ...... I think I know what you mean. But your post appears to be out of place. Is this similar what you're trying to write about: Thread on DIY Safe-Sync

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