Old Sunpak Auto 144 PC flash

scottcolbathscottcolbath Registered Users Posts: 278 Major grins
edited January 25, 2012 in Accessories
This thing has been sitting in my closet for more than ten years. I bought it for my old 35mm as an emergency purchase when my other flash died the day of a shoot.

I have no other flash at the moment.

I'd like to try this on my 5D and 7D, but I don't know if it is OK. I know nothing about this stuff, but I was warned by someone that it may hose up the electronics on my Canons.

Yes, it's a cheap POS.

Yes, it's all I have for the moment. I'll be picking up a proper Canon flash shortly.

Bottom line......Is it OK to use this on my Canons?

S.C.

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited January 20, 2012
    There is only one serious issue to consider; many old flashes have a high trigger voltage that can damage a digital camera. If the flash under consideration has a high trigger voltage, "Do not put that flash on a modern camera".

    To check a particular flash for reported trigger voltage:

    http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

    If the flash does not show there, or if you have any question about your camera's safety, either use a Wein Safe-Sync or use some sort of slave system to fire the flash.

    The Wein Safe-Sync is electrically isolated from the camera, displaying 6 volts to the hot-shoe of the camera and safe for any current body.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • scottcolbathscottcolbath Registered Users Posts: 278 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2012
    Thanks Ziggy, that site told me exactly what I needed to know.

    5.8V, reported by Michael Kirby
    6V, reported by Martin B. Reinhardt
    6.8-6.95V, reported by Pierre Hurtubise
    (Different batteries, or different versions of the same strobe?)
    6.16V, per Sunpak (via Pierre H.)

    I'd say I'm good to go. :ivar

    S.C.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2012
    I personally would not take the chance...I would spend ~~ $20 to get am ebay wireless RF trigger and be totally safe and also have a lot of versatility on where I could place the flash..not just use it as a shoe mount...or I am for whatever reason locked into using it shoe mount...get the Wein Safe Sync....your version of this flash might be the one that throws a single high spike and damages your cam.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • Moving PicturesMoving Pictures Registered Users Posts: 384 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2012
    Looks to me like you found a gem for radio-trigger off-camera work.
    Newspaper photogs specialize in drive-by shootings.
    Forum for Canadian shooters: www.canphoto.net
  • scottcolbathscottcolbath Registered Users Posts: 278 Major grins
    edited January 25, 2012
    Well, I didn't see these follow-up posts until after the fact.

    I used it without any problems, but I would have to say it doesn't exactly throw a lot of light.

    I just need to get a new 580EX and be done with it

    S.C.
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