Free Minolta Maxxum 5400xi: Free Minolta Maxxum 5400xi I was given a free Minolta Maxxum Flash 5400xi flash. I can put it into the slave mode, with the red light blinking but it does...

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Free Minolta Maxxum 5400xi

I was given a free Minolta Maxxum Flash 5400xi flash. I can put it into the slave mode, with the red light blinking but it does not respond to the control signal from my HVL-F20AM mounted on my camera. Is there anyway I can use this flash? Should I toss it?

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Davethehiker wrote:

Free Minolta Maxxum 5400xi

I was given a free Minolta Maxxum Flash 5400xi flash. I can put it into the slave mode, with the red light blinking but it does not respond to the control signal from my HVL-F20AM mounted on my camera. Is there anyway I can use this flash? Should I toss it?

Don't hold me to this, but it seems like I read somewhere that the older Minolta Maxxum accessories, specifically the flash, used a different voltage and may not work on a newer camera. I would dig for some specs on the flash to see if it's compatible.

What camera are you using it with?

I found a website that provides a bit of info, but I don't know if it will help you much.

http://www.sds.com/mug/af_flash.html

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

bawlmer wrote:

quote=Davethehiker Free Minolta Maxxum 5400xi br ... (show quote)

I'm using it with my A900. I would not dream of placing it on the camera, I'm using it in the remote (slave) mode but can't get it to fire.

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

I found an owners manual in pdf online. This might help you.

http://pfotosale.narod.ru/Manuals/Minolta/Maxxum_Flash_5400xi.pdf

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

bawlmer wrote:

I found an owners manual in pdf online. This might help you.

http://pfotosale.narod.ru/Manuals/Minolta/Maxxum_Flash_5400xi.pdf

Nice to know that the manual is available. I fear the problem is that this old model is no longer compatible with the latest Minolta flash or any of the Sony Flashes that followed. I "looks" very similar with the same shoe. I think the problem is that the digital signal passed between flashes on bursts of light has changed.

I have read on the Internet that one person claims he was able to make this flash work in a "manual mode". I can not duplicate his results.

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Well, I wouldn't toss it just yet. There may still be a solution. Perhaps we can get some of the other Sony people to respond.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Davethehiker wrote:

Free Minolta Maxxum 5400xi

I was given a free Minolta Maxxum Flash 5400xi flash. I can put it into the slave mode, with the red light blinking but it does not respond to the control signal from my HVL-F20AM mounted on my camera. Is there anyway I can use this flash? Should I toss it?

Suggest you use it as slave with a Wein peanut slave trigger.

busted_shutter

Think the prob is in the slave unit. I've been assured by Minolta techs and another UHH member that the flash will work fine on the Sony Alphas. Have the same unit myself, and planning on using on my new upcoming Sony.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

C_Rex wrote:

Think the prob is in the slave unit. I've been assured by Minolta techs and another UHH member that the flash will work fine on the Sony Alphas. Have the same unit myself, and planning on using on my new upcoming Sony.

You are probably right in the Manual mode and on the camera.

Which Alpha are you about to buy? There is a high confidence rumor that the A99 will be announced on the 28th of this month! I may buy one.

john vance Loc: Granbury,Texas

One way of using it would be as a remote flash
using cowboy studio product for remote

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

john vance wrote:

One way of using it would be as a remote flash
using cowboy studio product for remote

Thanks Mogal and Vance. I have some old slave flash controllers in my junk box. I try them out and see if they work.

busted_shutter

Would love to get the 77, but wallet says 57.