I need to connect a PC cord to my Elan IIe, but of course, there's no built-in PC connector in this EOS model. I have gotten three different answers regarding what method is best. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has direct experience with this.

Answer 1) Use only the Wein Saf-Synch, which protects the camera from high voltages or transients from the flash. Costs $40-$52.

Answer 2) Use the Nikon AS-15 PC adapter; this is said to work fine with Canon EOS hot shoes. Costs $18-22

Answer 3) Use any generic hot shoe to PC adapter which contacts the main pin on the hot shoe but does not contact or short out any of the four smaller pins which control the TTL functionality and flash zoom.

I don't want to risk frying the electronics of my nice new camera! Any suggestions based on real experience would be greatly appreciated.

-- David Brodwin (david.r.brodwin@ac.com), August 02, 2000

Answers

David, This really depends on the flash you intend on using along with its it's trigger voltage & polarity. Canon EOS hot shoes are designed for a 6V flash trigger. It's easy to check with a good volt meter, but make sure you have a meter with at least a 20,000 ohms per volt rating. The real cheap meters can show a false low voltage because of the low amperage available on a high voltage flash trigger.

If you don't want to bother checking, use the Safe-Sync or trigger your flash with an optical or radio slave device.

As far as Nikon's AS-15, it's just a good quality version of the cheap generic jobs. There's no electronics in it. But if you are going to have to depend on it, get the better one. It's more reliable.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), August 02, 2000.