Oldman73

New to forum, but not to photography. Been into pics since grade school, which was back in the 50s. Used a Speed Graphic to take PICS for my HS newspaper in the early 60's. Between school and family, house etc. never had a lot of extra cash to invest in cameras and equipment, until they got a little older and I was able to buy used. Took a Petri 35MM to Vietnam then when I came home upgraded to a used Nikon F1 them went to a Coolpix 5700 when they came out, was into digital but found out when the Grand-kids came along that when I clicked the shutter they were already across the yard. The first quality camera I bought used was a D200 that I still have, the first new one was a Nikon D300. Paid more for that than the vehicle I was driving. I still shoot the D200, the D300 and a D7000. In all those years I always wanted a Sunpac 611 flash or a similar Sunpac. Had the opportunity to use a friends well over 35 yrs ago on the F1, and really liked the results but couldn't come up with the extra money to buy one new. Now they are all over the place at low prices. I fully understand that they are old technology and newer and better choices are out there. I have read that the trigger voltage on these old flashes are high and could damage the electronics of the newer digital, I was wondering if there was an isolator that would prevent the trigger voltage from damaging a newer camera. Any help would be appreciated, the Sunpack is like a bucket list item..

JoelS Loc: Deep South Alabama

You might try wireless triggers for your speedlights which are really cheap. Shoot with off camera flash, they come with a tabletop stand for flash. I use all the time... hope this helps... Joel

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

At the most the trigger voltage of a 611 will only be 190 volts. Nikons are built to safely handle at least 250 volts. You obviously have nothing to worry about.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The 611 is a fine older unit and can be safely adapted to you digital equipment. Please refer to your camera's manual to ascertain the trigger voltage specifications.

The issue that can endanger your camera's circuitry is high trigger voltage above the camera's limitations. The older units of those Sunpack strobes may have trigger voltages as high as 190 Volts. Later models of the same model number measured as low a 4 volts.

If you have access to a voltmeter you can probe the synch socket and determine the voltage. If the voltage is the low value you can synch it directly to the camer. If it is the higher reading you can hook it up via a Wein Safe-Synch adapter which is available from better camera stores.

I may have a manual for the 611 in my files- I will send you a link.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

This website lists many flash sync voltages - Like RWR said, Nikons are built to handle higher voltages.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

BebuLamar

Get a Sunpak 611, measure the sync voltage. If too high use something like the safe sync. If it's 180V I would use the safe sync although the Nikon is rated for 250V.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I used a 511 for many, many years until I put 4 Duracell AA batteries in and one corroded and ruined the terminals. Duracell paid me for the strobe, but I could never replae it. I only use Duracell for anything which needs a battery. They stand behind their products.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Here is the manual for the flash:

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_611-1.pdf

I couldn't find anything about trigger voltage there.

Botzilla says it can require anywhere from 4V to 190V - depending on vintage.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Years ago, I used a Sunpac with my D700 for quite some time. It worked fine.
--Bob

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Always a safe course of action.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some good links -

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/using-older-electronic-flash-digital-cameras-what-works%E2%80%94what-doesn%E2%80%99t#e0r5XD1ycZcdFdfF.97
http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-old-flashes-on-new-DSLR-cameras./

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

You are mistaken my friend. Todays digital cameras have a trigger voltage capacity of about 7 volts. Any high voltage flash, like Sunpak, will damage the camera. Wireless remote would be the best solution.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

If you want to take the safe route, Vello and others have "safe shoe" hot shoe voltage regulator units that protect modern cameras, many vendors have them, B&H has them for (w/o looking it up) $15-25. Very small, very light weight.

Oldman73

Thank you all for the information and especially the links, being conservative I will err on the side of caution and use an interface such as a Safe Sync or a remote trigger. You guys are the best!

Tony in Virginia

User ID

THAT ... is the ONLY sensible reply in the whole
thread and it directly answers the OP question
about an "isolater" for protection. Yes, they do
exist, are cheap. Call B&H or Adorama and tell
them what you need, and "done deal". The rest
of this thread has a very poor s:n ratio. All else
is pointless puffery by "online experts" :-(

.