Nikon flash SB-15 and LX3

[Photure]

Hi,

I would like to ask if it is possible to use my old Nikon flash SB-15 safely on my LX3
and if so, which settings must be used on the camera and the flash.
It's a nice small flash with bounce and hope to use it on my new LX3.

Thanks!

 

[Gregm61]

You should be able to use it in either A(Auto) or M(Manual) modes. These are the settings on the flash, not the camera. The TTL feature won't work with the LX3.

You'll need to use only the modes on the LX3 where you can control the aperture, meaning Aperture Priority or Manual exposure modes. You have to be sure you set the ISO settings on the camera and flash the same, as well as setting the f-stop being used on the flash to match the aperture set on the camera, or your exposures will be off.

If you know how non-TTL auto or fully manual flash exposure works, the SB15 should work, but the flash tube on the 25-30 year old SB15 today probably will not put out it's original rated power, so it'd probably be a good idea to test it with a flash meter to see what the true guide number for your unit is today. I have no idea as to the voltage put out by the SB15, but it's fair to say it won't pack the same punch an early Vivitar 283 would. There was a time in my life when I used an SB17, which was the F3 version of the SB15. Cute little flash with a neat bounce head, but if you bounce the flash, your working distance will be severely curtailed.

 

[Photure]

Thanks for your reply, it's fine to know this flash will work on the LX3.
Just forgot to ask if the contacts on camera or flash must be modified?
Thanks again!

 

[Bostjan Pulko]

Even the hudge SB-900 does a perfect job on LX-3.

 

[AmanitaM]

The contacts you need to fire the flash will line up. The others aren't going to work (TTL contacts).

--



Pan. Eff-Zee Thirty, some Olys, macrolenses, etc.

 

[kb2zuz]

The flash will work on the LX-3, however I would recommend picking up a "Safe Sync" hot shoe to hotshoe adaptor. It basically acts as a surge protector incase the flash throws a little too much juice back through the hot shoe.

Most modern flashes designed to work with digital cameras are well insulated and made for low voltage use. Many of the older flashes used higher voltage through the sync and could potentially damage the LX-3 if something gets screwy inside the flash.
--
Kurt

 

[Photure]

Thanks for your warning, but my English is not that good so I don't know what this means: a "Safe Sync" hot shoe to hotshoe adaptor.
Could you please tell me more about this in a simple way?
Greetings from the Netherlands

 

[Russell Ervin]

Check this site.
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
--



http://www.flickr.com/photos/quietrvr/
Gear=A camera with a lens.

 

[AmanitaM]

The chart in the link above shows a voltage under 5V for the SB-15.

--



Pan. Eff-Zee Thirty, some Olys, macrolenses, etc.

 

[Escaping]

I like the SB23 on the LX3 because it is a low profile and small flash... but the SB-23 only has a manual setting so I have to set a table for myself to use the SB-23 with its GN of 20 (for ISO 100 in meters)... For simpler ease of use, the larger SB-20 is more convenient because it has the A (Auto) settings and this one has also the bounce feature which I use a lot. To make summarize, Nikon flashes work fine with the LX3... It just a matter of getting the manual setting right.

Enjoy.

--
Escaping (CT, USA) http://www.pbase.com/cvanlang
DSLR's: D100 / D2H / *istDS / D50 / D200 / K10D / D80 / D700

 

[kb2zuz]

I was referring to a product by Wein: http://www.weinproducts.com/safesyncs.htm

If using older flash equipment that has a higher voltage contact, you definately should use a Safe Sync.

Fortunately according to the chart that Russel Ervin posted, the SB-15 has a low voltage contact. So you probably don't need to use a Safe Sync for that particular flash, just hook it, put it to manual mode, and happy shooting.
--
Kurt

 

[Photure]

Well, I'm very pleased to know that I can use the Nikon SB-15 flash safely on my LX3 and I would like to thank you all for your support!

 

[Escaping]

I have several Nikon flashes and after trying all different ones, I conclude that the best one to carry with me is the Nikon SB-E. It is small and its size does not overwhelm the LX3. It has an Auto setting so I just set the LX3 in Manual mode with ISO 80 and the aperture at 5.6. The 24mm of the LX3 is too wide for this flash but zooming in at around 30mm (estimate equivalent) and the flash coverage is sufficient. I just wish the SB-E uses a pair of AA instead of 4 AAA.

---
Escaping (CT, USA) http://www.pbase.com/cvanlang
DSLR's: D100 / D2H / *istDS / D50 / D200 / K10D / D80 / D700