Found My Old Flash

mangorockfish · Feb 18, 2021

Once upon a time I had to shoot a wedding for a good friend of mine. As luck would have it, my flash died and I had to get a new one. I went to the local photo/art store and bought what my budget, stretched a little, could handle. I bought a Sunpack Auto 522. I put some batteries in it, set it on auto and shot the wedding. Every picture turned out great and the whites would knock your eyes out. This was back in the early 80s as I recall. Anyway, I found said flash and think I'm going to use it with my Mamyia 645 as opposed to buying a new flash to the tune of $300+. Is this a viable plan or should I look into something more up to date? I really don't use a flash that much. Thanks in advance for your input and suggestions.

Space Face · Feb 18, 2021

Test it out to see before you splash out. If it gives you the results you're looking for then great. If not, consider a new one.

ac12 · Feb 18, 2021

If it work, go for it. I use older flashes on my dSLRs.
My only concern is the sync voltage.
I don't know what the sync voltage is of the Sunpak 522, nor what the Mamiya 645 can handle.
I "think" the 645 will be OK with the 522.

mangorockfish · Feb 18, 2021

The 522 and 645 were out about the same time, so I would think they would be compatible, but I'll check it out.

Sharpshooterr · Feb 27, 2021

Mango, I had an old Sunpack. Don't remember the model. Pretty expensive in it's day. Had the bracket that screwed into the tripod mount with the tall battery column that took C cells and made a handle.
I don't imagine that old camera has the capability to handle anything like ETTL or HHS? But if it does, I would certainly by a new one that could do all that!!!
SS

mangorockfish · Mar 1, 2021

After reading a lot of posts about flashes having too much voltage I'm scared to use it with my 645. Can any of you more experienced flash folks or 645 users recommend a different flash unit that won't break the bank? I don't do much flash work, but would like to do more eventually using multiple units.

Sharpshooterr · Mar 2, 2021

Mango, about ten years ago on a Forum I was on, someone had posted a link to a site where the author had undertaken a project to make a pretty complete list of older flashes and the voltage each one produced and the voltage used by the cameras as well.
I don't think it would take a lot of searching/googling to find that list or one like it.
You might start by posting or emailing on the Strobist.
Only a guess but most non-digital cameras probably operate on the higher voltages but that's only a hunch! Maybe those here that live to Google could come to the rescue!!! Good luck
SS

mrca · Mar 2, 2021

I had an old Vivitar flash from 1978 I used on film cameras. When I got a nikon d200 in 2005 I did some checking and many of the old flashes had so much voltage back into a digital camera it would toast it. If you plan on off camera flash work and plug in a trigger to the flash and a sender in the hot shoe, you can trigger multiple flashes and not expose your digital camera. Strobist web site might have some info for you.

JBPhotog · Mar 3, 2021

mangorockfish said:
The 522 and 645 were out about the same time, so I would think they would be compatible, but I'll check it out.

I think you would be right, potato masher flashes and film cameras were the status quo of the 1980’s. I don’t think you will have any voltage issues with that combo but OCF is the way to go these days and wireless triggers are pretty cheap so personally I’d go that route. Besides, you would be able to use it with your digital cameras without concern.

smoke665 · Mar 3, 2021

According to this Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages the sync voltage of the 555 is 4.7 to 6.9 volts. Modern electronics are more susceptible to damage from high sync voltage than the older mechanical cameras, but even with them there might be some risk. I've used older speed lights on occasion with no problem, but there's risk involved in the unknown so do your homework.

JBPhotog · Mar 3, 2021

FWIW, I regularly used a Vivitar 283 on my Nikon F2A and F3 without issues with a measured trigger voltage of +300v both hotshot and sync cord. Additionally, my Speedotron Black Line packs were directly connected to the sync socket of my Nikon's Hasselblads and Rodenstock LF lenses back in the film days.

However, once I switched to digital I did use a Wein Safe Sync and Pocket Wizards and no longer directly connected any of that equipment to my cameras which I think is the best practise for protecting equipment and reducing a tripping hazard, lol.

mrca · Mar 4, 2021

JB, my 283 worked fine with my nikon and pentax film cameras. But the risk of turning a $3000 camera into a paper weight isn't worth the gamble for me. I have several SB 80's but used them for OCF as they are easily concealable.

JBPhotog · Mar 4, 2021

mrca said:
JB, my 283 worked fine with my nikon and pentax film cameras. But the risk of turning a $3000 camera into a paper weight isn't worth the gamble for me. I have several SB 80's but used them for OCF as they are easily concealable.

Yes mine too, that's why I never used the Vivitar's with any digital cameras. According to the link smoke665 posted, the SB-80's are fine with digital camera circuitry.

smoke665 · Mar 4, 2021

@JBPhotog . Just be sure to read my disclaimer " there's risk involved in the unknown so do your homework". I might try one based off information from the link on an old K30 body I have, but doubt that I'd take chances on the K1MII. :crushed: