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Older flash how to
Nov 17, 2017 11:41:51   #
locustthorn Loc: Central Iowa
 
I have a older flash and need instructions how to read settings. How to set camera and such. Something like beginner on reading and setting a flash that is not auto camera flashes. Thanks and have a great day. Maybe something on ebay for beginners

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Nov 17, 2017 11:48:15   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
First off, be careful using an old flash on modern cameras.
The voltage of the flash may damage digital cameras.
Beyond that, could you be more specific about what flash you have, perhaps post a picture of it showing controls, etc?

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Nov 17, 2017 12:41:10   #
BebuLamar
 
Tell me which make and model of the flash then we can figuure it out

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Nov 17, 2017 12:44:05   #
locustthorn Loc: Central Iowa
 
The Flash is a Focal M500T Zoom. Im not sure how to set the dials to know what to set the camera settings



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Nov 17, 2017 12:56:03   #
BebuLamar
 
OK Here how it goes.
Turn the flash on and use a good DC voltmeter and measure the voltage between the center pin of the hot shoe and the metal contact on the side of the hot shoe and make sure it is low enough and not to damage your camera.
Set the sliding switch on the top back of the flash and align the yellow line to the ISO you want to use. Read the f/stop number indicated by the yellow ling below marking A. (A for auto).
Set the front switch to A.
Set the camera in M mode.
Set the shutter speed to something less than 1/250. I normally use 1/125 or 1/60 but with most camera 1/250 or 1/200 would work.
Set the lens aperture on the camera to the same f/stop indicated by the yellow line on the flash.
Fire away. The exposure is going to be automatically controlled by the flash.

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Nov 17, 2017 12:56:17   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
locustthorn wrote:
The Flash is a Focal M500T Zoom. Im not sure how to set the dials to know what to set the camera settings


It's all there.

For ISO (ASA) 200, if you set the flash to W (wide angle, 35mm), you use the distance of the flash to the subject, say 15 ft, and it looks like it will be F5.6. If you have to use ISO 800 or 1600, you'll have to do some math. What you use for shutter speed will depend on how much ambient light you want to see in your image - slower shutter, like 1/45, will let in more, while 1/200 will minimize the amount of ambient light.

Make sure the trigger voltage isn't too high, or you will fry the camera's flash sync electronics.

There is more info here:

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/focal_m500cs-zoom.pdf

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Nov 17, 2017 13:09:24   #
locustthorn Loc: Central Iowa
 
Thanks my friends for the fast fast response on my question. Now this gives me a starting point to gain info on flashes. I will check the voltage before attaching to my canon camera. Have a great day and get ready for the gobble gobble day.

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Nov 18, 2017 08:32:23   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
Most of those older, single pin, nondedicated units have high trigger voltages so make sure to check the trigger voltage. Using one may not immediately damage the camera's electronics but repeated usage will. You can always use them as a slave and trigger them remotely. Another option is to use a "Wein Safe Sync" which will reduce the voltage and thus permit its use on a hot shoe. The Focal brand was a rebranded unit made for Kmart stores if I am not mistaken. Better off getting something more current that works better with your camera though.

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Nov 18, 2017 09:09:57   #
BebuLamar
 
If the voltage is too high simply don't use the flash. Forget about safe sync etc...

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Nov 18, 2017 11:26:43   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
STOP! Do not use that particular flash unit on you digital camera!

For about 20 years, aside from my commercial photograph business, I ran a small company that specialized in electronic flash repair, modification and custom built power packs. I have a list of dozens of flash units and their trigger voltages. The K-Mart private brands checked out at 222.5 Volts DC- that's enough to seriously damage the circuitry in your digital camera.

I have a few Safe-Synch units in my studio and the do work effectively with some of my old studio flash units, however, the cost of the Safe- Synch is not, in my opinion, justified just to put that old flash into service.

The problem with many of the off -brand units back in the day, was that they were made in China, Hong, Kong or Taiwan where, at the time, the quality control was very erratic- you never knew exactly how they would perform. Even if the trigger voltage was lower or reads at a lower value, an internal malfunction in the unit or a short circuit due to an insulation breakdown (very common fault) would cause high voltage to back up into the trigger circuitry.

Nowadays, some of the Chinese made equipment is more reliable.

A suggestion. If the unit is flashing reliably, you may want to purchase a simple photo-electric cell type slave trigger. This will enable the unit to be used as an off-camera second light.

Please, do not hard wire or use that unit via the hot shoe on you digital camera. I have seen some rough stuff result from theses older flashes. Better safe than sorry.

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