Second hand flashgun compatibility?

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

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Ive been reading the strobist blog in preparation for a shoot ive got coming up, and ive started to consider the idea of getting together a basic remote flash setup. So the question I have; What do I need to look for in order for it to be compatible? If I find and old second hand flash that has a pc conection and manual controls will it be compatible? Do hotshoe connections vary? Also what flashes are compatible with Nikons creative lighting system, ie can be triggered by my cameras preflash? Is it just the SB600 and SB800?
 
as far as i know, there is a small amount of compatability between nearly all flashguns, nameley, the triggering contact is the same for canon/olympus/pentax (don't know about nikon)

other than that, things for automation like TTL and stuff are not compatable between the makes.

Lastly, the hotshoes for minoltas are very wierd, completeley different shape to others
 
Aod said:
as far as i know, there is a small amount of compatability between nearly all flashguns, nameley, the triggering contact is the same for canon/olympus/pentax (don't know about nikon)

other than that, things for automation like TTL and stuff are not compatable between the makes.

Lastly, the hotshoes for minoltas are very wierd, completeley different shape to others
Click to expand...

This is not true, different brands of flash require / use different voltages to fire which , if used on an incompatible system can damage the camera.

Here's a complete list for you.

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

As i stated in the thread over at TP MK, your best bet is to save £400 and buy a SB800 and an SB600, then you can expand on that in the future.
 
wez130 said:
This is not true, different brands of flash require / use different voltages to fire which , if used on an incompatible system can damage the camera.

Here's a complete list for you.

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

As i stated in the thread over at TP MK, your best bet is to save £400 and buy a SB800 and an SB600, then you can expand on that in the future.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your suggestion Wez, but I have no need for the SB800. The only reason I would need a SB 800 is to act as a commander, but my D300 is taking care of that. With my D300 I can control 3 groups + the onboard flash which is plenty enough. so at the moment im thinking 2 x SB600, 2X lightstands and clamps, 2x silver brollies, black backdrop, maybe a backdrop stand (Might use one from work for now), and a 5 in 1 reflector. That should keep me going for a while and should be enough for the photoshoot coming up. :)
 
you can use the OB flash on a D200 as a commander, too - should save you some pennies, wez.

very very very ot, did you get your free month from Be yet?
 
i wouldn't go for the D200, i chose my 30D becasue i've always bought canon, it's just the D300 is such a highly regarded, almost pro dslr and the price puts it just into affordable territory for me and i cannot tell you how tempted i am to sell all my canon gear just to fund the body and a lens for it :D

and what's Be?
 
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