Wein 'Safe Sync'?

[Don Simon]

Hello all, hope everyone had a good new year's eve and 2007 is going well for you so far!

A fairly specific question this. I was wondering if anyone has used the 'Safe Sync HS' by Wein. The 'Safe Sync' is a hotshoe voltage limiter which lets you use older flashes on new SLRs/dSLRs without causing a short. I have a couple of Vivitar and Cobra flashes which I used for film work and would also like to use on my dSLR (I'm putting off buying a new dedicated flash as I've already spent way too much on photographic gear lately) so this looks like it could be just what I need. So I guess my questions are, has anyone used one of these, or another product that performs the same job, or have any experience with Wein products in general?

Couple of Google links for reference...
http://www.weinproducts.com/safesyncs.htm
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/wein.html
http://www.theflashcentre.com/wein-safe-sync-hotshoe-to-hotshoe-i358.html


Thanks!

 

[ksmattfish]

I use Vivitar 285HV flashes with my 20D's all the time with no problem. You might check your camera specs for the PC socket voltage. Many are rated 250v (like the 20D) which is safe with older style flashes. The camera that I heard that had a lot of trouble with older flashes is the Canon 10D, with a PC socket voltage rating of 10v, or something small like that.

I've mainly used Wein substitutes for mercury batteries, and a few PC sync cord connectors and adapters. Wein gear has always worked well for me.

 

[Big Mike]

You can look for the trigger voltage of your old flash units on THIS site.
The Safe or Not Safe rating is based on older Canon film SLRs...with a rating of 6-9 volts....so check what your camera is rated for.

 

[burtharrris]

So to kick a dead horse, it is safer to use a lower voltage flash? I'm going to measure my Vivitar 285hv monday. Most lists say it's safe to use on an Eos, but where could I find the limit for a Pentax?

 

[Don Simon]

I believe they are about the same - the lower-end EOS apparently don't like anything over 6V which is pretty low, I can't see it being any lower than that.

And to kick a dead horse it's probably safer to wear a good pair of boots.

Btw thanks guys for your replies to my original question.

 

[burtharrris]

I got a Canon 30D!!

I'm reading in certain places that its max voltage is 250v, anyone know more about it than I do?

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Hello all, hope everyone had a good new year's eve and 2007 is going well for you so far!

A fairly specific question this. I was wondering if anyone has used the 'Safe Sync HS' by Wein. The 'Safe Sync' is a hotshoe voltage limiter which lets you use older flashes on new SLRs/dSLRs without causing a short. I have a couple of Vivitar and Cobra flashes which I used for film work and would also like to use on my dSLR (I'm putting off buying a new dedicated flash as I've already spent way too much on photographic gear lately) so this looks like it could be just what I need. So I guess my questions are, has anyone used one of these, or another product that performs the same job, or have any experience with Wein products in general?

Couple of Google links for reference...
http://www.weinproducts.com/safesyncs.htm
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/wein.html
http://www.theflashcentre.com/wein-safe-sync-hotshoe-to-hotshoe-i358.html


Thanks!

I use it all the time on my D70 when i'm in the studio to keep my camera from going kaboom. The PC terminal works great, but the hot shoe doesn't. My SB-600 is loose on it, misfires, and if it was even secure, i doubt would even work.

 

[Point-N-Shoot]

I got a Canon 30D!!

I'm reading in certain places that its max voltage is 250v, anyone know more about it than I do?

Acording to the literature I've read, the 20, 30 and 40D's can support a flash trigger voltage up to 250v (vs. 6v on the 10D and 300D) due to the use of a semiconductor switch rather than depending on a mechanical contact.

Your safe with pretty much ANY flash.