Anyone know the safe trigger voltage for FD Canons?

[james_mullineaux]

Hey! I just acquired a Canon A-1 (my first "pro" camera) and wanted

to know if anyone knows it's safe flash trigger voltage. My Vivitar

283 puts out 11-10 volts and my Speedlite 155 8-7v. I know EOSs only

tolerate up to 6v but there's nothing on the web about AE-1/A-1 etc

trigger voltages. The A-1's user manual only mentions that using off

brand flashes can damage the camera so I assume it uses electrical and

not mechanical sync. And as a side note, it is a good idea to check

your flashes trigger voltage, I just discovered my little Yashica

CS-10 single AA battery flash triggers at 290v. YIKES! That little

guy stays on the Holga! If anyone has any information on this it

would be greatly appreciated, I have looked elsewhere for this

information and only turn to this forum as a last resort before buying

a safe shoe. Thanks!

[david_goldfarb]

Buy the Safe-Sync. Why take chances with an electronic camera like the A-1?

 

That said, I do use my Norman studio and portable lights with the F-1N, plugged directly into the PC socket, and I've never had a problem, but presumably the F-1N is designed to handle studio lights.

[lee_brand]

I have also tried to get a definitive answer to this question for my AE1-P and T90. I have come to the conclusion that anything under 20 volts s/b OK, BUT preferably under 10 volts and that is what I work to. My Canon Speedlights all conform to this - as does my Metz 45 and studio flash. I do not use any flash without measuring the voltage first. I am pretty sure that the A1 and T90 use a solid state switch (electronic) but I am not sure about the AE1-P. The others - AL, F1,FTb etc are mechanical.

[Rob_L1664876404]

I've used a Vivitar 283 on my A-1 for 20 years with no problem at all.

[hans_van_hal]

I have blown up the electronics of 2 A1's so far by 2 different flash guns.

The A1's are beyond repair. At least Canon will not maintain them and an independant repair facility couldn't.

I still have 2 other A1's which I will not use with flash.

 

I now use more and more Leica gear.

[james_mullineaux]

Thanks fo all the great responses so far. I think I'm going to go with the Safe-Sync simply because I can see my setup migrating to the t90/EOS. I looked up the Wein Safe-Sync and was surprised it was over $50! A little more research turn up <a href="http://www.mitraphoto.com/SafeSync.jsp">this schematic</a> which I also posted on <a href="http://www.jmxphoto.com/toy/index.shtml">my website.</a> It looks like a $10+30 minute project, and I'll probably build one into my pc cable. I haven't tested this circuit yet, but I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

[aki_dick]

Hello James.

 

Here's a link to a website that shows triggervoltages of most available flashes. You'll be surprised about the output of your 283.

 

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

[timothy_scriven1]

Get a safe sync.

 

Alternatively, that schematic looks electrically sound... I don't imagine you'd have any trouble if you used that.