Looking for a Flash unit

jeffreaux2

I have two Canon 580 speedlights already, but am looking for a solution for a Yashica Mat 124G medium format camera. It has a shoe.....though Im not sure its a hot or cold shoe, and also a synch cord connection. I think I can use the 580 with the synch connection, but am unsure if there would be a voltage problem. I don't want the camera to cause the flash to fry.

Is this doable?

What cord do I need? and if there is a recommendation here.....can you link to the cord at B&H Photo?

...or...is there a better alternative ....as in a vivitar flash etc?

Thanks in advance!:thumb

ziggy53

On my Yashica Mat 124G it just has a utility cold shoe mounted on the side. It is not suitable for flash attachment.

The classic, and I still believe best, flash solution is an old handle bracket flash. You can get an old Sunpak 622 with the tilt and swivel head, bracket, cord and battery pack for $150USD or less. This gives you an "auto" or manual mode as well as enough output to shoot ISO 100 through ISO 400 film for any normal event.

You can also use the Canon 580EX on a bracket with a simple cord and hotshoe, but it would be totally manual (which is not all that bad). I think that the 580EX II adds an "auto" flash mode. A Sunpak 383 Super or a Vivitar 285HV will get you an "auto" mode as well as manual mode, but I don't personality feel they have enough power for an ISO 100 film in enough situations.

You can also use an RF wireless setup to eliminate direct connection cords and allow much better flash positioning. In that case a Sunpak 611 may be attached directly onto either a tripod or a light stand that has a 1/4" thread, via a screw hole on the bottom of the flash handle. If use a light stand you might also want to use an umbrella bracket to provide some angular adjustment as well as umbrella attachment. (The 611 is identical in output to the 622 but lacks the modularity and adjustable head option of the latter and the 611 also has dangerously high trigger voltage. The 611 can also use more common individual "C" cells in either NiCd or NiMH. I am less sure about 622 power options.)