high trigger voltage flash and om film cameras...

Hi

I've been using film cameras for over twenty years, but have only recently decided to try to teach myself fill flash.

There is a lot of information on the web about being careful with high trigger voltages on digital cameras, but there is also often reference to being careful with 'electronic' cameras in the same way.

Has anyone experienced any problems with om1 and om2 bodies using high trigger voltage flash units?

I have a vivitar 283 which I've tested and found it to be producing 112v.

Thanks.

Jonathan

Too high. Get a more modern flash with a low trigger voltage. Problems can occur over time and contacts can be damaged. Again from hearsay. But why chance it when a decent unit is now so cheap. My Vivitar 285 is way way lower trigger than that oldie. And I would guess it has some color defiencies in its tube. For what it is worth do not be half safe...you could get a Wein safe converter but why bother with that I recommend.

You can use a (link: ) Wein Safe-Sync between your camera and flash, and it will protect your camera.

As wein safe syncs are very expensive (about £50 in the uk), what if I was to fire the flash using a wireless flash trigger?

Maybe fitting the flash on a bracket to the side of the camera.

Back when the Olympus OM-1 and OM-2 were introduced I didn't know there was a danger of high voltage trigger. Basically all the flashes available back then had high trigger voltage.

Best thing in the modern era,,,now over twenty years on is to put that old Vivitar in the trash. Since cameras went to electronic circuits instead of mechanical flash synch there was some concern that solid state devices could be pitted or burnt. So they came up with lower trigger voltages. Even Vivitar in its models for the last 30 years. If one has a 30 year old flash, or older, I say it deserves a proper burial. Many articles have been written on subject. Studio strobes are still in use from days when they also had high voltages. We use them with optical or radio releases to be on the safe side. I have an unused 285HV you can have at no charge if you pay shipping...on the other hand I have not used it for a long time and it is worth maybe 20 dollars. Why be half safe, get a new flash...good luck. Edited February 19, 2017 by GerrySiegel

Where do you live? I am in Texas. Can I have your 285HV?

Where do you live? I am in Texas. Can I have your 285HV?

Sorry, BeBu I only offered to the OP. I am a long way off, doubt he is interested as shipping > cost to buy one on eBay.

The OM1 is a mechanical camera apart from the metering and should be OK.. The first TTL flashgun Olympus made for the OM2 was the Quick Auto 310, and it had a trigger voltage well over 200 volts, suggesting that the OM2 is not too sensitive to high trigger voltages either. However the later T20 and T32 flashguns have very low trigger voltages. It would be good to get hold of a T32, to be on the safe side. It's a very nice piece of kit.