External Flash Help/Info

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  • 01-06-2005, 06:18 PM
    dgrits
    External Flash Help/Info
    I'm a casual photographer, mostly family and the occasional wildlife photo. I use a Nikon 8700, and recently picked up a Sunpak PZ 4000AF external flash. After I got it (really inxpensively...) I noticed it was a CA model (for Canon Cameras). It seems to work on my camera with a bit of overexposure, which is probably just my inexperience with the new flash. Is there any problem continuing to use this flash on my camera? Does anyone know where I might find a users manual for the Nikon version? (the Sunpak manufacturer's website doesn't offer anything like that)

    Thank you all for your assistance!

    Dan
  • 01-07-2005, 12:48 PM
    another view
    Re: External Flash Help/Info
    The Canon version means that it is "dedicated" for Canon. It will still work with any camera because the main contact is always in the same place, but you'll lose the automation. It will work on manual mode or "A" auto mode, not TTL. On the hot shoe of the camera, you'll see one big contact which is the main contact to fire the flash. The other three (for Nikon) can communicate things like camera settings, focal length, film speed and if the flash is ready to fire.

    Actually, I have a Coolpix 5000 and SB 28 flashes which don't support hardly any automation even though they are both Nikon. For one thing, zoom won't work because the actual focal length of the camera is about 7-21mm and the flash starts at 24mm. Newer camera/flash combinations may be better though.
  • 01-08-2005, 09:35 PM
    dgrits
    Re: External Flash Help/Info
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by another view
    The Canon version means that it is "dedicated" for Canon. It will still work with any camera because the main contact is always in the same place, but you'll lose the automation. It will work on manual mode or "A" auto mode, not TTL. On the hot shoe of the camera, you'll see one big contact which is the main contact to fire the flash. The other three (for Nikon) can communicate things like camera settings, focal length, film speed and if the flash is ready to fire.

    Actually, I have a Coolpix 5000 and SB 28 flashes which don't support hardly any automation even though they are both Nikon. For one thing, zoom won't work because the actual focal length of the camera is about 7-21mm and the flash starts at 24mm. Newer camera/flash combinations may be better though.
    That explains the overexposures... Thanks alot for the help!