If you wish to use a generic non-dedicated flash unit on the Canon EOS camera, you will first need to check the triggering voltage of the flash unit. The Canon Speedlite flash units triggering circuits is not more than 6 volts. Furthermore, the Canon EOS 1, A2/A2E, 10s, 630; Elan, RT and Rebel also operate with 6 volts as the maximum voltage going through their triggering circuits. As such, you must make sure the generic flash unit also uses no more than 6 volts for their trigger.
Any trigger circuits which requires more than 6 volts could possibly damage the X-Sync contact of the camera, the shutter units or connecting wire. Damage might not be immediate and may result over a period of time. Furthermore the high voltage passing through the Camera connecting wire might also generate electro magnetic "noise" resulting in unwanted adverse effects on the camera. Errors can occur with metering, shutter speed, aperture size etc depending on the camera models and which part of the circuit layout is affected.
Testing the voltages of the flash triggering circuit is a simple task. Just use a voltmeter which is available at any Radio Shack stores. Connect the positive lead to the positive point of Sync Cord. The Negative lead should be connected to the ground of the Sync cord. With shoe mounted flash, just connect the positive lead to the center point of the mount. The negative lead has to be connected to the grounding point of the camera located at the side of the lock nut. Voltmeters have different setting which you can use. If you are unaware of the voltage of the Flash unit, just use the highest setting on the voltmeter than work your way downwards.
To fire a Studio flash safely without a sync cord, use a Speedlite 420EZ or 430EZ with 1/32 power under manual flash mode. Ensure that the flash's optical slave trigger is activated before firing. You are actually using the bounce feature of the Speedlite 420EZ or 430EZ to direct the light to optical slave trigger. Alternatively, you can use radio slave triggers to fire the studio flash. Companies like Lindahl and Quantum Instruments sell radio transmitters that connect to the PC contact of the camera and a receiver to connect to studio flash power pack.
If the Studio Flash is not firing through the EOS Camera, you should check the following listed below:
(1) That the third party PC socket adapter do not have a metal shoes. This will result in a short circuit in the trigger circuit. The remedy is use Canon PC socket adapter which is made from plastic.
2. The flash units polarities might be reversed. This can occur because of a diode which is connected to the camera X-Sync point to protect the Camera internal flash unit. To get by this problem, reverse the polarities of the Sync cord.
3. If the two troubleshooting tips do not work, just use the method described above on how to fire a studio flash safely. - 16039
Any trigger circuits which requires more than 6 volts could possibly damage the X-Sync contact of the camera, the shutter units or connecting wire. Damage might not be immediate and may result over a period of time. Furthermore the high voltage passing through the Camera connecting wire might also generate electro magnetic "noise" resulting in unwanted adverse effects on the camera. Errors can occur with metering, shutter speed, aperture size etc depending on the camera models and which part of the circuit layout is affected.
Testing the voltages of the flash triggering circuit is a simple task. Just use a voltmeter which is available at any Radio Shack stores. Connect the positive lead to the positive point of Sync Cord. The Negative lead should be connected to the ground of the Sync cord. With shoe mounted flash, just connect the positive lead to the center point of the mount. The negative lead has to be connected to the grounding point of the camera located at the side of the lock nut. Voltmeters have different setting which you can use. If you are unaware of the voltage of the Flash unit, just use the highest setting on the voltmeter than work your way downwards.
To fire a Studio flash safely without a sync cord, use a Speedlite 420EZ or 430EZ with 1/32 power under manual flash mode. Ensure that the flash's optical slave trigger is activated before firing. You are actually using the bounce feature of the Speedlite 420EZ or 430EZ to direct the light to optical slave trigger. Alternatively, you can use radio slave triggers to fire the studio flash. Companies like Lindahl and Quantum Instruments sell radio transmitters that connect to the PC contact of the camera and a receiver to connect to studio flash power pack.
If the Studio Flash is not firing through the EOS Camera, you should check the following listed below:
(1) That the third party PC socket adapter do not have a metal shoes. This will result in a short circuit in the trigger circuit. The remedy is use Canon PC socket adapter which is made from plastic.
2. The flash units polarities might be reversed. This can occur because of a diode which is connected to the camera X-Sync point to protect the Camera internal flash unit. To get by this problem, reverse the polarities of the Sync cord.
3. If the two troubleshooting tips do not work, just use the method described above on how to fire a studio flash safely. - 16039
About the Author:
Tim Harris is a canon camera enthusiast. For tips on choosing and buying cameras, do check out Canon OS Camera website. Camera 40D Digital Rebel XTI 3D Blog
