Flashgun compatability

jake · 07-06-2008, 15:17

Anyone know whether a Cobra flashgun dedicated for a Minolta 700si will be ok on a Sony Alpha 350? It fits ok and the contacts are exactly the same as on the Minolta.
All Minolta Dynax lenses ect. are compatable but I would hate to add a big flash and a bang to its range of features.

**Sonsey** · 10-06-2008, 16:41

I think your safest bet would be to try and Google for the technical specs of both cameras and the flash to see if you can find the stated voltages, I think you'd want to be sure the info is completely correct on this one!

**Dabhand16** · 10-06-2008, 17:08

I've got a link at home to a site that quotes trigger voltages for flashguns. I'll try to remember to post it tomorrow. (Won't be home before midnight - and the link is on my desktop in the spare bedroom).

**Markulous** · 10-06-2008, 17:31

Here's a list of trigger voltages - don't know if it's the same as Graham's
Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

silkstone · 10-06-2008, 17:32

The trigger voltages of several Cobra flashguns are listed here...

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

I don't know what the tolerance of the Alpha 350 is, but Canon DSLRs need a trigger voltage of less than 6V.

That doesn't guarantee it will work properly, but if your Cobra is <6V it shouldn't damage anything!

EDIT/ Mark beat me. Too fit.

**Dabhand16** · 10-06-2008, 17:46

Or you can use a cheap radio trigger and be 100% safe. Around £20 on e-bay.

jake · 11-06-2008, 22:53

Thanks for the information guys. It will be very useful if it does work. Now my next problem is to find a circuit for a noise triggered flash. I had one years ago that I found in practical electronics. Used it in the dark to shot darts bursting balloons and stuff like that.

**Dabhand16** · 12-06-2008, 10:25

Here is the link to the site for the trigger voltages.

Here is another article.

Here is a device that enables safe use of any combination of camera and flash.

HTH.

jake · 12-06-2008, 17:10

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to find me the info.

silkstone · 12-06-2008, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake

Now my next problem is to find a circuit for a noise triggered flash. I had one years ago that I found in practical electronics. Used it in the dark to shot darts bursting balloons and stuff like that.

Get someone of a nervous disposition to hold the flash with their finger over the 'Test' button....

jake · 12-06-2008, 18:08

***Steve*** · 13-06-2008, 10:39

Have you checked Maplin and RS for suitable gismos or ready designed circuits. I would think that RS would have something maybe, even if Maplin doesn't.

jake · 13-06-2008, 13:59

Thanks Steve - thought RS was trade only?

silkstone · 13-06-2008, 14:58

Don't think so, but if you find something at RS and they won't sell to you, let me know and I'll get it for you. They keep pestering me to buy more!

jake · 13-06-2008, 18:03

Thanks

07-06-2008, 15:17	#1 (permalink)
jake Been here a while Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: yorkshire Posts: 390	Flashgun compatability Anyone know whether a Cobra flashgun dedicated for a Minolta 700si will be ok on a Sony Alpha 350? It fits ok and the contacts are exactly the same as on the Minolta. All Minolta Dynax lenses ect. are compatable but I would hate to add a big flash and a bang to its range of features.

10-06-2008, 16:41	#2 (permalink)
Sonsey Pixalo Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: N. Ireland Posts: 7,257	Re: Flashgun compatability I think your safest bet would be to try and Google for the technical specs of both cameras and the flash to see if you can find the stated voltages, I think you'd want to be sure the info is completely correct on this one!

10-06-2008, 17:08	#3 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,751	Re: Flashgun compatability I've got a link at home to a site that quotes trigger voltages for flashguns. I'll try to remember to post it tomorrow. (Won't be home before midnight - and the link is on my desktop in the spare bedroom).

10-06-2008, 17:31	#4 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 10,144	Re: Flashgun compatability Here's a list of trigger voltages - don't know if it's the same as Graham's Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

10-06-2008, 17:32	#5 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,742	Re: Flashgun compatability The trigger voltages of several Cobra flashguns are listed here... Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages I don't know what the tolerance of the Alpha 350 is, but Canon DSLRs need a trigger voltage of less than 6V. That doesn't guarantee it will work properly, but if your Cobra is <6V it shouldn't damage anything! EDIT/ Mark beat me. Too fit.

10-06-2008, 17:46	#6 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,751	Re: Flashgun compatability Or you can use a cheap radio trigger and be 100% safe. Around £20 on e-bay.

11-06-2008, 22:53	#7 (permalink)
jake Been here a while Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: yorkshire Posts: 390	Re: Flashgun compatability Thanks for the information guys. It will be very useful if it does work. Now my next problem is to find a circuit for a noise triggered flash. I had one years ago that I found in practical electronics. Used it in the dark to shot darts bursting balloons and stuff like that.

12-06-2008, 10:25	#8 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,751	Re: Flashgun compatability Here is the link to the site for the trigger voltages. Here is another article. Here is a device that enables safe use of any combination of camera and flash. HTH.

12-06-2008, 17:10	#9 (permalink)
jake Been here a while Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: yorkshire Posts: 390	Re: Flashgun compatability Thanks for taking the time and trouble to find me the info.

12-06-2008, 18:08	#11 (permalink)
jake Been here a while Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: yorkshire Posts: 390	Re: Flashgun compatability

13-06-2008, 10:39	#12 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,451	Re: Flashgun compatability Have you checked Maplin and RS for suitable gismos or ready designed circuits. I would think that RS would have something maybe, even if Maplin doesn't.

13-06-2008, 13:59	#13 (permalink)
jake Been here a while Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: yorkshire Posts: 390	Re: Flashgun compatability Thanks Steve - thought RS was trade only?

13-06-2008, 14:58	#14 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,742	Re: Flashgun compatability Don't think so, but if you find something at RS and they won't sell to you, let me know and I'll get it for you. They keep pestering me to buy more!

13-06-2008, 18:03	#15 (permalink)
jake Been here a while Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: yorkshire Posts: 390	Re: Flashgun compatability Thanks

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