I was given an older flash unit, non-dedicated. While testing its triggering voltage I noticed that it has reversed polarity comparing to my Canon flash. The voltage is 6V=OK, but is the reversed polarity a problem when using the flash directly on hot shoe? I have Canon EOS Elan II. Thanks in advance.

-- Dariusz Szpunar (dszpunar@flash.net), January 31, 1999

Answers

The reversed polarity shouldn't be a problem, but I wouldn't take the chance. A couple of questions though. are you sure you used the same leads on the same contacts with both flashes? Did you use a digital voltmeter? I would assume the answer to both of these is yes, but I like to make sure. If you are not sure, recheck, and pay attention to which lead you put where. Also, I have been told that you can't use analog meters to measure trigger voltage. I don't have an analog meter, so I can't confirm this though. As long as the trigger voltage is in the 6V range any flash should be safe. I still wouldn't risk it if the polarity is reversed, but the X-sync contacts just complete a circuit, so it really shouldn't matter.

The usual disclaimers: Don't try it. Go ahead, but you are on your own. Buy a Wein Safe Sync HS and quit worrying.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), February 03, 1999.

If your flash unit is non-dedicated to your camera, I wouldn't use it. Period. I don't want to risk my expensive camera with such thing ;-)

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (pooh02@earthlink.net), February 02, 1999.