eos 40d and older flash

[dbkrantz]

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?

[RobertTheFat]

1)  Depends on how much current it draws.

2)  Manually.

[dbkrantz]

Robert,

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

D.Krantz

[RobertTheFat]

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@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

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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.

[cicopo]

see

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

and

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

[cale_kat]

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@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?

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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.