mike_sowsun Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 (edited) Is anyone familiar with the Canon Transistor Pack G? I recently acquired a Canon 577G flash, but it came without the Transistor Pack G external battery pack. The power connection has 3 pins and I am thinking the later external battery packs (CP-E2, CP-E3, etc) could also be used if I were to change the connector. Is the TP “G” 300 volts input like the later packs? Edited December 11, 2023 by mike_sowsun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_sowsun Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 I thought I might be able to use a CP-E2 or CP-E4 to power this plug on the 577G … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjoseph7 Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 The voltage might be the same, but its' the current you have to worry about ! Instead of blowing yourself up there are a couple of Transitor Type G packs selling on eBay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwhitegeog Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 I agree. The transistor pack (basically a rechargeable battery pack) is not available and any that you could buy used I am sure would not be functioning. I have a full working 577G kit but not with the battery pack - I use the internal 6 x AA battery cartridge. I agree that the CP-E2 (etc) would deliver too high a current, even if you could adapt it to fit. Remember, the A-series flash era flashguns are at least two generations removed from the EX era. I think it would probably blow up the 577G circuits. Remember, the internal electrics are 40 years' old as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck909 Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 The transistor pack takes 6 "C" cells - it is NOT a rechargeable pack. I use it with rechargeable batteries. but non- rechargeable batteries are fine, too. You should have no trouble finding one. Look for a cheap 577G with the pack and cross your fingers that the pack is OK, or as above, see if you can get just the pack. If the contacts are corroded, they are very easy to clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwhitegeog Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Thanks, but it seems like a modern CP-E2 pack might not sensible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_sowsun Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 (edited) The Transistor Pack E and the Compact Pack E, CP-E2, CP-E, and CP-E4 all share the same 300v connection plug, and are all interchangeable. Canon recommends only the Transistor Pack E for the 480EG, and I assume it is because of the large C size battery magazine. (the others uses 6 AA or 8AA) Edited December 11, 2023 by mike_sowsun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck909 Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 I don't know where the power switches are for the packs that you mention, but the 577g's power switch is on the pack itself - if that makes a difference for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwhitegeog Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 I have the 577G and the CP-E3 - I'll try. Are the connections physically compatible? I don't have the items in front of me at the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck909 Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 (edited) Mike, do you already have the CP-E2, CP-E3, etc? If not, what you are contemplating seems like way more trouble than it's worth and somewhat risky. That, and do you already have the correct plug to the 577G? If not, that's going to be harder to find that than the pack WITH the plug. Ok, IF you do get it all hooked up with the other packs, depending on the camera you will be using, be sure to check the trigger voltage. Otherwise, you could fry your camera. Edited December 11, 2023 by chuck909 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwhitegeog Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Here is the male connector on my CP-E3 pack. Not sure how this will fit the female port on my 577G? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_sowsun Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 (edited) I actually did buy a Transistor Pack G on eBay but it will take another week or so to arrive. I guess I’ll have to be patient…. 🙂 The 533G, 577G, and Transistor Pack G all use a 300v connector that is different from all the later 300v connectors, but I don’t why Canon changed it. Edited December 11, 2023 by mike_sowsun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awahlster Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Canon changed almost everything when they went to EF mount to cause photographers to buy all new stuff. A simple make more money decision. I have 1 or two of the Battery pack G's been a long time since I even looked at them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck909 Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 2 hours ago, gwhitegeog said: Here is the male connector on my CP-E3 pack. Not sure how this will fit the female port on my 577G? It will not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck909 Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Note: the 533G does not use a battery pack. The batteries are in the handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_sowsun Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 19 minutes ago, chuck909 said: Note: the 533G does not use a battery pack. The batteries are in the handle. I have both the 533G and 577G. Yes, the 533G uses 6 internal AA batteries, but is also has an external port so you can use the Transistor Pack G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck909 Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 21 hours ago, mike_sowsun said: I have both the 533G and 577G. Yes, the 533G uses 6 internal AA batteries, but is also has an external port so you can use the Transistor Pack G. Interesting - I did not know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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