topic Re: eos 40d and older flash in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

eos 40d and older flash

dbkrantz — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 21:45:45 GMT

I have an eos 40d. Can I use a 30 year old vivitar 273 flash with a standard hot shoe, or will it harm the camera? If it can be used, how can I adjust the settings?

Re: eos 40d and older flash

RobertTheFat — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:40:26 GMT

1) Depends on how much current it draws.

2) Manually.

Re: eos 40d and older flash

dbkrantz — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:50:22 GMT

Robert,

Thank you for your prompt reply. How much current is too much and how do I determine this? Thank you

D.Krantz

Re: eos 40d and older flash

RobertTheFat — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:59:41 GMT

@dbkrantz wrote:
Robert,
Thank you for your prompt reply. How much current is too much and how do I determine this? Thank you
D.Krantz

I've seen some discussion on this topic, but I don't recall where. I guess you'll have to Google for it. It seems that while all(?) modern flashes have a low (i.e., safe) current draw, some older units have been known to fry the circuitry of modern digital cameras. My personal feeling is that I'd really have to want to save a buck to risk connecting a 30-year-old flash to a camera I cared about. YYMV.

Re: eos 40d and older flash

cicopo — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 00:40:47 GMT

see

http://dpanswers.com/content/genrc_flash_measuretv.php#tv

and

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=416117

Re: eos 40d and older flash

cale_kat — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 03:00:18 GMT

@dbkrantz wrote:
I have an eos 40d. Can I use a 30 year old vivitar 273 flash with a standard hot shoe, or will it harm the camera? If it can be used, how can I adjust the settings?

There are better solutions out there than risking a good camera + lens!!? with ancient electronics. Even if it works once or twice, that doesn't mean it won't shead a nasty shock that seriously damages your camera's electronics. And what for? To save a few bucks? Check out a Canon 420EX on beastbay (or worse, that notorious Chinese knock off brand) and get a safe solution for your flash photography.