Old Flash - HANIMEX TZ/1: Just got this flash for a few dollars at second hand store. Question: is it safe to use it on todays DSLR? Could not find information about the voltage. It...

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Just got this flash for a few dollars at second hand store.
Question: is it safe to use it on todays DSLR? Could not find information about the voltage.
It works fine with my old fully mechanical film camera.
Anybody had experience with this flash? Thank you.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

dandi wrote:

Just got this flash for a few dollars at second hand store.
Question: is it safe to use it on todays DSLR? Could not find information about the voltage.
It works fine with my old fully mechanical film camera.
Anybody had experience with this flash? Thank you.

I cannot find a record of TZ1, but the TZ2 has trigger voltage of 225 VDC. I would was a non-wired remote.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Newer DSLR's have a much lower trigger voltage than when we used film. I agree with Mogul and use it a a remote. Check your owner's manual or manufacturer's website for the required trigger voltage on your current camera. http://dpanswers.com/roztr/volt_finder.php doesn't list the TZ1 but, I suspect it would be close to the TZ2. You didn't mention what camera you're using. If you check the list of Nikon flash units, most are well under 10 volts.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

nicksr1125 wrote:

Newer DSLR's have a much lower trigger voltage than when we used film. I agree with Mogul and use it a a remote. Check your owner's manual or manufacturer's website for the required trigger voltage on your current camera. http://dpanswers.com/roztr/volt_finder.php doesn't list the TZ1 but, I suspect it would be close to the TZ2. You didn't mention what camera you're using. If you check the list of Nikon flash units, most are well under 10 volts.

I tried to use it as a remote, didn't work either. Looks like I wasted few dollars, oh, well, it's nice, compact flash that I wanted to use with Nikon d7000 and d700.
Thank you, guys for taking your time responding.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

nicksr1125 wrote:

Newer DSLR's have a much lower trigger voltage than when we used film.

Nikon DSLRs have a flash trigger voltage of 250 VDC, same as their SLRs. Other brands may differ.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

RWR wrote:

Nikon DSLRs have a flash trigger voltage of 250 VDC, same as their SLRs. Other brands may differ.

You are right, I just checked with both manuals. It says: "negative voltage or voltage over 250 v could not only prevent normal operation,
but damage ...". It's good to know. Should be safe to use, but I still want to talk with somebody from our local store before using it.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

dandi wrote:

Should be safe to use, but I still want to talk with somebody from our local store before using it.

If it were mine, I would take it to a competent repairman with the proper test equipment, and follow his advice. Good luck! and let us know how it works.

The Watcher

This link shows you how to test the trigger voltage. The info is at the top of the link.

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

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The Watcher wrote:

This link shows you how to test the trigger voltage. The info is at the top of the link.

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

I have heard that one may not get the whole picture with just a voltmeter. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me (which isn't saying much!) will chime in with more details.

The Watcher

RWR wrote:

I have heard that one may not get the whole picture with just a voltmeter. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me (which isn't saying much!) will chime in with more details.

I have seven old flashes that I've tested with a voltmeter, each one has about the same voltage as what you see on the internet. I use them with a wireless trigger.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The Watcher wrote:

I have seven old flashes that I've tested with a voltmeter, each one has about the same voltage as what you see on the internet. I use them with a wireless trigger.

The article I read recommended measuring with an oscilloscope rather than a voltmeter, but I don’t recall the details or which magazine. (Maybe something about the peak duration?) I bought an Ultrablitz unit in the ‘60s that pegged the needle of an analog meter at 600 VDC. Used it with my Exaktas and Leicaflexes til it died 5 or 6 years ago. The cameras are still fine. A Vivitar 285HV bit the dust 3 weeks ago, still have a Metz 60 CT-4 and 40 MZ-3i, as well as 3 Small Agiss flashes, but if I ever get an older unit of unknown voltage I’ll have an expert check it before connecting it to my Nikons. Any flash is OK with a trigger or slave, of course.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

The Watcher wrote:

This link shows you how to test the trigger voltage. The info is at the top of the link.

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

It's pretty good and detailed article. I checked my flash several times and it showed around 65v. It worked only with one side (negative) contact for some reason. So, it should be safe to use. Thank you

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Probably it would be best to buy a new flash that is compatible to the camera. They are really cheap these days. New ones as low as $35.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

mas24 wrote:

Probably it would be best to buy a new flash that is compatible to the camera. They are really cheap these days. New ones as low as $35.

I have couple of flashes for my nikons, this one was so cheap, I just could not pass by it. And it's fun to play with some old equipment.

BebuLamar

You may be able to use it but if I were you I would toss it. I haven't seen a good Haminex brand flash that I want to use.