- You should ask first if the 25 years old flash your are just about to purchase will not damage your new DSLR?
- Then, is this flash compatible with your DSLR?
My Sony A700 user manual says that the sync-voltage shall not exceed 400 volts. But the shoe accept only up to 6 volts. (found on various DSLR forums but not written on the user guide)
This is the first step: you shall know the sync-voltage your DSLR can accept. It depends on the camera manufacturer.
Then 3 options :
- search on the internet for the sync-voltage the flash your are looking for. (e.g. this one)
- measure by yourself the sync voltage
- purchase a voltage-safe sync hotshoe adapter
Once you are confident on that point, you should consider if the flash is compatible with TTL advanced functions of your DSLR. This point is tricky because DSLR manufacturers improve more and more their TTL modes (wireless, high speed synchro...) so it is difficult to be sure if a discontinued flash will be 100% TTL compatible. You could experiment or full power only or wrong exposure.
That's why in my opinion the choice is binary :
- or you purchase a still continuated flash of the same brand of your camera (but it's not really a lowcost alternative)
- or you purchase an auto thyristor non TTL flash. I will detail only this point:
Ensure that the flash is working in computer mode :
There is a light sensor in the front, because the flash perform the metering himself and use a thyristor (electronic component) to cut the flash when the exposure is OK.
It is often written on this kind of flash :Computer or Komputer, Auto, Thyristor
Ensure that this flash also have manual mode with several power reduction modes (the more is the better)
Check that there is no reference of any TTL mode.
Here is a very uncomplete (provided as exemple) list of auto thyristor flashguns :
BRAUN BVC 320, 340, 370, 380, 420
SUNPAK 411, 134, 36DX, 30DX, 422,433, 383, 522, 555
A lot af METZ 45 CT ...to be continued
I do not guarantee that they are voltage safe with your DSLR. Measure by yourself or chek on the internet or on reviews.
