Read if you use external flash on digital camera

[Grandpaw]

I have three Vivitar 285 flashes and was going to try hooking one up to my digital camera. I found out that digital cameras have a sync voltage of 6volts and two of my flashes have a sync voltage of over 200 volts. I could have fried the sync card in my digital camera. The third flash I have is the newer version of the 285 and it is called the 285HV that has a sync voltage of 6 volts like the digital cameras are made for.

Many of you are probably already aware of this when connecting older flashes to the newer digital cameras. I didn't know and I feel sure that there are others out there that don't know either. Just thought I would share the information and maybe save someone a serious problem, Jeff

[another view]

Excellent point, and I didn't think to mention it. There is no problem with using an optical or radio slave - basically anything wireless - because there's no voltage going directly from flash to camera. A few years ago, Nikon told me that all of their cameras could handle 250v, but I don't know if that still applies (this was pre-D40, D50, etc). Best to check with the manufacturer before trying.

Thanks for bringing that up - you may have saved someone a nasty repair bill!

[Grandpaw]

I called Kodak to see what my Kodak P880 will except and it will take anything up to 500 volts as a sync from a external flash. I just wanted to be sure before making a fatal mistake, Jeff