High voltage radio trigger

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Archive 2009 · High voltage radio trigger

pixpop
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p.1 #1 · High voltage radio trigger

Hi, I have an old Sunpak 611 that has about 650 Volts trigger voltage. Obviously, this is too much for my Canon 5D (or probably most cameras these days).

I've been thinking of getting a remote trigger (radio, not optical) and was wondering whether anyone knows of one that will tolerate this much voltage. Or maybe there's some better solution.. I haven't used any flash for about 10 years, so there are probably things available now I've never thought of.

It doesn't need to be fancy, as this flash doesn't support TTL or anything else complex. Although, come to think of it, I may well get one that does so I shouldn't rule that out I guess.

Maybe I'm better off just replacing it with something more modern.

Dec 15, 2009 at 05:27 AM

BrianO
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p.1 #2 · High voltage radio trigger

pixpop wrote: ...I've been thinking of getting a remote trigger (radio, not optical) and was wondering whether anyone knows of one that will tolerate this much voltage.

You could check www.flashzebra.com to see if there's a high-voltage-capable radio receiver, but an easy-to-find and possibly less expensive solution would be to run a common variety Pocket Wizard or other receiver through a Wein Safe Sync hot shoe to which the flash is connected. The Safe Sync will step down the Sunpak's voltage to a level that's safe for the radio.

The Safe Sync would also allow direct connection of the Sunpak to the camera for times when you didn't want to use off-camera flash with radios.

Dec 15, 2009 at 05:52 AM

pixpop
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p.1 #3 · High voltage radio trigger

Wein safe sync says they only go to 400 Volts.

Dec 15, 2009 at 06:03 AM

Two23
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p.1 #4 · High voltage radio trigger

+1 to SafeSync.

Kent in SD

Dec 15, 2009 at 06:04 AM

pixpop
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p.1 #5 · High voltage radio trigger

Well, actually this flash has a remote sensor as well as PC contacts. I just measured the voltage on the remote sensor, and it's only 40 Volts, so that would certainly work with the safe sync. The remote sensor has a hot shoe instead of PC.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll pick up a safe sync tomorrow.

Neil

Dec 15, 2009 at 07:08 AM

BrianO
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p.1 #6 · High voltage radio trigger

pixpop wrote: ...this flash has a remote sensor as well as PC contacts. I just measured the voltage on the remote sensor, and it's only 40 Volts, so that would certainly work with the safe sync. The remote sensor has a hot shoe instead of PC.

Oh yeah, you'd want to use the remote sensor in any case; it allows you to tilt the flash for bounce, handhold it, mount it in a soft box, etc. and still have the auto-sensor see the subject from camera position.

Dec 16, 2009 at 12:40 AM

David Fleming
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p.1 #7 · High voltage radio trigger

I think the Cybersyncs (and likely several others) are rated for pretty high voltage. If I am not mistaken, the 5D will also handle higher sync voltage then you might think (but confirm this in your manual before hooking anything up). It seems like the early DSLR's had problems with high sync voltage and so the manufactures addressed it with improved electronics. I can say that my CSRB has fired everything I have tried hooking to it including a friends Promaster speedlight that would not trip with her cactus remotes at all.

Dec 19, 2009 at 05:57 PM


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