Old flash unit

Chicken George · 10-17-2011, 06:35 AM

I have an old Hanimex TZ855 flash unit with swivel head, slave unit, IR trigger and filters which I used to good effect on my pentax film camera K1000. I wish to use it with my new Kr but am concerned to read that the trigger voltage can damage the camera. Is this just on the X conector or the hot shoe as well? I read about an adaptor to make the hot shoe safe. Can you explain what it is and what it does please.

**smigol** · 10-17-2011, 08:02 AM

The trigger voltage for that flash has been measured for 209V as noted on this website:
Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

That makes it not safe for the Pentax DSLRs.

This counts for the hotshoe and the xsync socket as well.

You can use one of these safe sync devices which isolate the flash trigger voltage from the camera. Not sure exactly how they do it, it might be via a transformer or coupler. I've used a Wein device before. In the end, I prefer my Cactus V wireless transceivers because I can make my old flashes work remotely.

Chicken George · 10-17-2011, 08:05 AM

Thanks Smigol. It's a shame as I really like the flash.

Chicken George · 10-18-2011, 07:44 AM

I have found a tx/rx for a very reasonable £15, but it says it only works with V2/V2s wireless flash trigger only. I don't understand what that means any ideas?

mysticcowboy · 10-23-2011, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by Chicken George

I have found a tx/rx for a very reasonable £15, but it says it only works with V2/V2s wireless flash trigger only. I don't understand what that means any ideas?

I believe that means that the unit is half of a transmitter/receiver set and that you need the transmitter, too.

I second smigol's recommendation of a Cactus V5 unit. Get one and you can insert it between the hot shoe and the flash and safely fire almost any old flash unit. Get two and you can move the flash off your camera, which can dramatically improve your photos.

RioRico · 10-23-2011, 02:32 PM

The cheap workaround: An SYK-series flash trigger, usually around US$5-10 shipped. Put this cube on your flash shoe or on a bracket or external support, put your hot flash aboard it, and use the camera's onboard flash to trigger it. This is the only way I use old flashes.

Chicken George · 10-24-2011, 03:44 AM

Thans Guys,

I have just ordered two of the SYK3 units, sounds exactly what I want.

Mike

10-17-2011, 06:35 AM	#1
Chicken George Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Wales Posts: 19	Old flash unit I have an old Hanimex TZ855 flash unit with swivel head, slave unit, IR trigger and filters which I used to good effect on my pentax film camera K1000. I wish to use it with my new Kr but am concerned to read that the trigger voltage can damage the camera. Is this just on the X conector or the hot shoe as well? I read about an adaptor to make the hot shoe safe. Can you explain what it is and what it does please.

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10-17-2011, 08:02 AM	#2
smigol Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Menlo Park, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 422	The trigger voltage for that flash has been measured for 209V as noted on this website: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages That makes it not safe for the Pentax DSLRs. This counts for the hotshoe and the xsync socket as well. You can use one of these safe sync devices which isolate the flash trigger voltage from the camera. Not sure exactly how they do it, it might be via a transformer or coupler. I've used a Wein device before. In the end, I prefer my Cactus V wireless transceivers because I can make my old flashes work remotely.

10-17-2011, 08:05 AM	#3
Chicken George Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Wales Posts: 19 Original Poster	Thanks Smigol. It's a shame as I really like the flash.

10-18-2011, 07:44 AM	#4
Chicken George Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Wales Posts: 19 Original Poster	I have found a tx/rx for a very reasonable £15, but it says it only works with V2/V2s wireless flash trigger only. I don't understand what that means any ideas?

10-23-2011, 12:56 PM	#5
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Originally posted by Chicken George I have found a tx/rx for a very reasonable £15, but it says it only works with V2/V2s wireless flash trigger only. I don't understand what that means any ideas? I believe that means that the unit is half of a transmitter/receiver set and that you need the transmitter, too. I second smigol's recommendation of a Cactus V5 unit. Get one and you can insert it between the hot shoe and the flash and safely fire almost any old flash unit. Get two and you can move the flash off your camera, which can dramatically improve your photos.

10-23-2011, 02:32 PM	#6
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,264	The cheap workaround: An SYK-series flash trigger, usually around US$5-10 shipped. Put this cube on your flash shoe or on a bracket or external support, put your hot flash aboard it, and use the camera's onboard flash to trigger it. This is the only way I use old flashes.

10-24-2011, 03:44 AM	#7
Chicken George Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Wales Posts: 19 Original Poster	Thans Guys, I have just ordered two of the SYK3 units, sounds exactly what I want. Mike

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