External power for flash guns

[Jonathan K]

That's good to hear, because visually the sockets are significantly different (but also neither of them match exactly the recessed shown in your photo of the plug). I was worried in case Sony had changed the size of a septum to prevent using a Minolta part for some reason, but apparently not.

The only mains adaptor I have is the old X-series one - which worked with the (nearly useless) old 1200 AF macro flash, that I sold. The Quantum unit I have is over 25 years old and still going strong.

David

Hi all,

that is excellent news... I actually use a Minolta 5600 combined with one or two Sony 58 when I can borrow it from my father and/or brother, or otherwise I use the antique Minolta 5400... (which is a pain, since it does not work on WL)...

So it would be ideal if I could use the same cable for Sony and Minolta flashguns...

I believe I have to start to charge a few € for the portrait work in order to be able to purchase this battery.... Especially the quick recycle time would be a great help. I will see what they offer at Photokina.

Thanks to all for your input!

Jonathan

[InTheSky]

I use the antique Minolta 5400... (which is a pain, since it does not work on WL)...

Here is a inexpensive solution to transform you hold 5400 to support wireless. You need at least small skill in electronic soldering, but is is very not complicated : http://www.voitzsch.net/index.php/en/fl ... nverter/55


(image from http://www.voitzsch.net/ website)

I have two PCB at home ... but never found the time to installed it on my old 5400HS (like many other project ).

Regards,

Frank

[Dr. Harout]

I use the antique Minolta 5400... (which is a pain, since it does not work on WL)...

Here is a inexpensive solution to transform you hold 5400 to support wireless. You need at least small skill in electronic soldering, but is is very not complicated : http://www.voitzsch.net/index.php/en/fl ... nverter/55


(image from http://www.voitzsch.net/ website)

I have two PCB at home ... but never found the time to installed it on my old 5400HS (like many other project ).

Regards,

Frank

Frank, is there something similar for the Minolta Program 5200i flash?

[Greg Beetham]

Doc have a look at this page http://www.voitzsch.net/index.php/en/fl ... -converter the 5200i is mentioned there.
Greg

[Dr. Harout]

Doc have a look at this page http://www.voitzsch.net/index.php/en/fl ... -converter the 5200i is mentioned there.
Greg

It doesn't work with A700

Anyway I have a slave flash trigger which I'm using with it.

[Jonathan K]

I use the antique Minolta 5400... (which is a pain, since it does not work on WL)...

Here is a inexpensive solution to transform you hold 5400 to support wireless. You need at least small skill in electronic soldering, but is is very not complicated : http://www.voitzsch.net/index.php/en/fl ... nverter/55


(image from http://www.voitzsch.net/ website)

I have two PCB at home ... but never found the time to installed it on my old 5400HS (like many other project ).

Regards,

Frank

Hi Frank,

thanks for sharing this... Looks like a job for a rainy sunday evening?
Did you try it? does it really work that way?

I remember having tried a trigger, probably comparable to the one Dr. Harout described, but it didn't work.. at least not reliably.
And that way there were too many factors causing failure during shooting so I decided that, until I find something better or feel like spending a lot of money on two 58's, I will do it with cable...

I would appreciate if you could share your experience, if you tried it!

Cheers
Jonathan

[Greg Beetham]

My solution so far has been too use a couple of Metz 45's triggered by Morris slaves, the Morris slave trigger doesn't appear sensitive enough too trigger the Metz's on any preflash, only on the 'real' flash. The Metz 45 has miles more power than the F56 and F58 (if you need it, for reflectors etc.), and has reliable and consistant performance over much longer duration, just on the six AA duracells in the grip. An even better solution based on the Metz would be a big capacity power source, like a quantum battery for example. You should be able to pick up a couple of old Metz 45 CT's or CL's for cheap, and toss out and replace (or not) the old corroded battery boxes, doesn't matter, the battery connectors in the Metz that DO matter are isolated from any harm anyway.
The only thing you have to do is get a couple of long X sync cords so you can sneak the slave trigger out in front somewhere, where the on camera flash (at 1/4 power or such) can illuminate it...once you have sync the world is your oyster, you can rig up any type of lighting you like, direct or indirect, reflectors, soft boxes, snoots, at fractional values with the exposure sensor on the Metz, and M full, 1/2, 1/4 and W output as well.
A slight variation of the above (because I'm lazy and always looking for an easier way), is to just mount the slave trigger on the Metz camera plate and swivel the on camera flash to point at it, and the other Metz over on the opposite side of the room has it's trigger looking at the first Metz so they both go off simultaneously.
Greg

ps. Sorry to bore you with Metz stuff, but I thought I'd include it as an option anyway, seeing as how you wanted more reliability and duration.