How safe are my flashes ?

illuminati919

I use Canon D60 body and right now own only one 285 Vivitar HV flash, I would like to upgrade to one more because I like the quality of the flash, is it safe to use them with wireless transmitters. I've heard rumors about the electronics of the camera frying and things such as. If anyone has any info on this please help me out, I am really undecided :dunno . Please !!!!!!!!!!!

pathfinder

By wireless transmitters, you mean like a Pocket Wizard transmitter that mounts in the Camera hotshoe and the PW receiver connects to the Vivitar Flash? A wireless connection will not harm your camera. I personally would not attach ANY electronic flash to my digital DSLR unless I knew for certain that it will not harm my camera - any of the current generation of flashes from Canon or Sigma should be ok. Canon digital cameras expect ONLY 6 volts in the flash triggering circuit, not hundreds of volts like some of the flashes from the 1980s and 1990s.

I have seen a website that lists what flashes are safe for what camera but cannot find the link right now. Aha!! Here it is!! http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

Lots of information here also - this should be a permanent URL for Canon owners -
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

Please note that there is a difference whether you are triggering through the hot shoe or the PC connection. The voltage limits MAY be different for the hot shoe versus the PC connection. Frequently the PC connection tolerates much higher voltages, but I would prefer to see this in the manual for the D60 before I would put my camera at risk. Wireless PWs are just so much easier to use anyway without all those wires

JimM

these websites are a great find, thanks!