SC-29 use without a flash

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Archive 2012 · SC-29 use without a flash

ISO1600
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p.1 #1 · SC-29 use without a flash

i tried searching, but couldn't get "SC-29" to provide any results, no matter how i entered it.

i've LONG wondered about the SC-29 cable- i know what it's supposed to do- use it for off-camera flash, and have either the flash or the camera-end of the cable emit the AF illum light.

I've been wondering though, if you can use it withough a flash, say- just on my D7000 body, to provide AF-illum.
If that is the case, is there some way this cable could be modified to just be the camera-mounted box, no coiled mess hanging off it?
All i want is the AF illuminator, to aid me in using AF in REALLY bad light haha.

Apr 11, 2012 at 08:45 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #2 · SC-29 use without a flash

Should work...

Apr 11, 2012 at 08:53 PM

mshi
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p.1 #3 · SC-29 use without a flash

It can only work in AF-S mode though for your intended use, and the number of AF points available will have to depend on both the speedlight unit and the lens focal length in use.

Apr 11, 2012 at 09:13 PM

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p.1 #4 · SC-29 use without a flash

I would want to essentially cut off the cord and Not mount a flash on it

Apr 11, 2012 at 09:17 PM

mshi
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p.1 #5 · SC-29 use without a flash

ISO1600 wrote:
I would want to essentially cut off the cord and Not mount a flash on it

AF-assist would NOT work without a speedlight unit mounted on the end of the cable.

Apr 11, 2012 at 09:26 PM

ISO1600
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p.1 #6 · SC-29 use without a flash

I am hoping the unit itself could be modified to function like this

Apr 11, 2012 at 09:29 PM

mshi
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p.1 #7 · SC-29 use without a flash

ISO1600 wrote:
I am hoping the unit itself could be modified to function like this

That's a wishful thinking. The SC-29 simply facilitates AF-Assist of the attached Speedlight. And different speedlight provides different numbers of AF points at a given FL.

Apr 11, 2012 at 09:53 PM

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p.1 #8 · SC-29 use without a flash

I imagine that somebody with some wiring ability could modify it to simply spit out the same af assist beam any time the street is half pressed... The same way that the built in light would work on the camera.

Apr 11, 2012 at 11:16 PM

hjanssen
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p.1 #9 · SC-29 use without a flash

What's wrong with the AF-assist from the camera?

Apr 12, 2012 at 02:07 PM

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p.1 #10 · SC-29 use without a flash

It is a bright and stupid white light

Apr 12, 2012 at 02:10 PM

Steve Beck
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p.1 #11 · SC-29 use without a flash

just buy a $2 pocket flashlight. I keep one in my bag to help with focusing in real low light conditions.

Apr 12, 2012 at 02:22 PM

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p.1 #12 · SC-29 use without a flash

yeah, i have flashlights- but i would like to have a simple, camera-mounted light that for lack of better word, doesn't suck.

I could go buy a used SB600 and get the focus assist that i want, but i will not use flash much.

Apr 12, 2012 at 02:26 PM

mshi
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p.1 #13 · SC-29 use without a flash

Also you may need to understand the fact that AF-assist only works in AF-S focus mode.

Apr 12, 2012 at 03:32 PM

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p.1 #14 · SC-29 use without a flash

Yeah, I know that

Apr 12, 2012 at 03:33 PM

mshi
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p.1 #15 · SC-29 use without a flash

So it's useless at least for me because my cameras always stay in AF-C mode.

Apr 12, 2012 at 03:35 PM

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p.1 #16 · SC-29 use without a flash

I don't care if it is useless for you.
I asked the question for me.
Please move along.

Apr 12, 2012 at 03:37 PM

Adam73
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p.1 #17 · SC-29 use without a flash

Sorry but that is funny. Sorry moving along.

Apr 12, 2012 at 06:03 PM

ISO1600
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p.1 #18 · SC-29 use without a flash

lol glad it made you laugh

Apr 12, 2012 at 06:08 PM

mrgetalife
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p.1 #19 · SC-29 use without a flash

Yeah it doesn't work. I tried it myself years ago. You see at the bottom of the flash there are two exposed metal contacts. The SC-29 has a little switch on it that raises two metal prongs. That's where the power comes from to light up the unit.

Its basically White light vs Red. Red at night is a bit less annoying/doesn't totally kill night vision.

I personally gave up the idea. But if you're that hardcore into it. Might i suggest the SU-800.

Apr 12, 2012 at 09:40 PM

Cpl101
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p.1 #20 · SC-29 use without a flash

Su800 works but it's large pricey and fragile. A modified sc29 should work as the af light is constant and independent of what kind of flash is attached. The trick would be to simulate the resistance between the proper wires as if a flash is attached.

My multimeter skills aren't that hot nor do I have an extra sc29 to butcher.

Imo it's very possible though.

Edit.

It does.seem to draw around 5-6 volts from the flash when af assist is illuminated. It won't however illuminate without a flash when just provided power.

Anybody know if it's simple absence/presence of the flash that the sc-29 is.looking for or if there's some type of more sophisticated communication going on to allow the af assist to fire?

Jan 06, 2013 at 12:19 AM

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