External Flash

[RoyEngland]

I own a Canon Powershot G9. I recently got hold of an Olympus OM10 and with it came 2 external flashes, one is a Vivitar 2500 and the other is a Nissin 360TW. What my question is will these flashes work OK on the G9? I've read about flash units having trigger voltages which can damage a camera if it's to high. I have to admit, although I have used external flashes in the past, I have no idea how they are actually triggered. Any advice please, both of these units only make contact via the central pin and the side of the hotshoe slide. With regards to the G9 I've read conflicting opinions some say they can damage the camera whereas others say they are safe if the camera is in it's manual mode.

[greenwing]

Both are listed as "Your Call" on the Strobe Trigger Voltages page. That means that they might be a bit high-voltage for Canon cameras.

The flash is triggered by the camera making a short-circuit between the side & centre pin. The flashgun might simply have the two ends of its charge capacitor on those pins, in which case there's some hundreds of volts. Most have some circuitry in the flashgun which presents a much lower voltage on the pins, but still apparently over spec for modern Canons. Can't see that manual mode on the camera will protect it any better.

Not sure how much use a manual gun on the G9 would be.

Chris

[RoyEngland]

Originally Posted by greenwing

Not sure how much use a manual gun on the G9 would be.

Thanks for the reply, the only real benefits I can personally see are firstly the flash can be bounced and secondly distance the flash will travel. Both have a telephoto facilities one of which can throw the flash up to 40 feet and the other up to 60 feet. A function I used quite a lot when I used film which incidentally I plan on doing so again. I fancy turning the clock back a bit because I feel digital photography has lost some of the skills in understanding how to take a good photo first time round and to be honest I think digital photography has made me lazy if you know what I mean.

[craigmason71]

I am also after a flashgun for my 550d been told to get this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TT520-Flash-...=IYHBCOSXC47LW

[greenwing]

Originally Posted by craigmason71

I am also after a flashgun for my 550d been told to get this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TT520-Flash-...=IYHBCOSXC47LW

It's cheap, and it might even work. I'm not going to say any more, other than "welcome to the forum, Craig"

Chris

[wave01]

hi if you want a good cheapish flash gun look at the nissin range di622 or di866

[LaPistola]

Have you been told to get a TT520 or a speedlite. That one in the link isn't an official speedlite. It has a very low guide number and seems limited in its functions.

Im with wave. The nissin flashgun I have is excellent ( di866 ) and compared to proper canon speedlite the nissins are cheaper.