Pc sync question...

Hello! I'm interested in feedback regarding the function of the Pc sync cord terminal on the S2. I've been a professional photographer for 11 years now, and have been researching digital SLR camera's for about a year, and am close to "making the plunge" into the digital world for much of my work. One specific feature that I've been looking for is a flash sync terminal, just like I have on my Nikon F100, old FM's and medium format cameras, so that I can sync with my studio lights for portait and product work. I'm excited about the prospect of being able to not only shoot digitally in studio (as well as location jobs), but being able to use the LCD monitor on the back of the camera to check (roughly) on my lighting balance, etc. instead of pulling multiple polaroids! This could save a whole lot of dollars in the long run! I see that unlike the D100, the S2 does come with a Pc sync terminal. My concern/question to you all is from comments made to me by tech personnel at Calumet Photo in Chicago, and at a trusted Photo shop in Minneapolis, regarding the usage of this sync terminal. They have told me that no digital camera should have that terminal sync feature, as you run the risk of "burning out your camera" from potential voltage spikes that return to the camera from the studio flashes. And that in addition to this, the warranty on the camera would not cover you if this happened. They are recommending not using the direct terminal, and instead, using something called a "Wein" connector or a remote sync, both of which function from the hot shoe. Have any of you heard of this, agree, disagree, etc.? I am leaning strongly toward purchasing the S2 instead of the D100 at this point. Any other general comments or encouragement toward purchasing one or the other would be appreciated. Thanks for bearing with this long note.

Brad Leavelle

Brad,

I'm not aware of this, and I am also interested in finding out if there is some damage being done to the camera by using the PC terminal. So far I've shot over 1000 exposures using my PC terminal and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Adrian

I have used a in-line sync voltage regulator (Wein, Inc, USA) with my Vivitar 283 flash on Coolpix 990 and with my Fuji S2 pro.

Most old flash units have high sync voltages that can damage current digital camera circuits, this may be the case with some studio flash systems.

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artsep01/vrcoolpix2.html

Please see the details of attachment the images at the end of the article.

Vishnu Reddy

Brad PT said:

Hello! I'm interested in feedback regarding the function of the Pc
sync cord terminal on the S2. I've been a professional
photographer for 11 years now, and have been researching digital
SLR camera's for about a year, and am close to "making the plunge"
into the digital world for much of my work. One specific feature
that I've been looking for is a flash sync terminal, just like I
have on my Nikon F100, old FM's and medium format cameras, so that
I can sync with my studio lights for portait and product work. I'm
excited about the prospect of being able to not only shoot
digitally in studio (as well as location jobs), but being able to
use the LCD monitor on the back of the camera to check (roughly) on
my lighting balance, etc. instead of pulling multiple polaroids!
This could save a whole lot of dollars in the long run! I see that
unlike the D100, the S2 does come with a Pc sync terminal. My
concern/question to you all is from comments made to me by tech
personnel at Calumet Photo in Chicago, and at a trusted Photo shop
in Minneapolis, regarding the usage of this sync terminal. They
have told me that no digital camera should have that terminal sync
feature, as you run the risk of "burning out your camera" from
potential voltage spikes that return to the camera from the studio
flashes. And that in addition to this, the warranty on the camera
would not cover you if this happened. They are recommending not
using the direct terminal, and instead, using something called a
"Wein" connector or a remote sync, both of which function from the
hot shoe. Have any of you heard of this, agree, disagree, etc.? I
am leaning strongly toward purchasing the S2 instead of the D100 at
this point. Any other general comments or encouragement toward
purchasing one or the other would be appreciated. Thanks for
bearing with this long note.

Brad Leavelle

Click to expand...

Hi Guys

This is an old wives tale and totally incorrect and I will explain why and the some reasons why you should not be concerned.

Firstly the current and voltage used by the flash units is very low and is limited by the internal electronic for two reasons one is risk of shock (personel injury) and the other is to remove risk of damage to the camera trigger components.

I have run a studio for local photograhers for over 10 years and never had any incidents or concerns at all,and this has been using (if not most) types of camera, some do not have pcsockets and needed to use hot shoe adaptors (shoe to PC adaptor)

The only issue I have encountered is Polarity sensivity with some camaras, this is due to the internal electronics using semiconductor components eg Diodes, Gates and transistors to actvate the flash and these are polarity dependant eg like battery and need to be reversed. we have over come this make an inline switch to reverse the leads.

BUT VERY OLD FLASHES should not be used Im talking > > 20 years belive me these are still around and working !!!!

If your still unsure use the wein unit or even better use infra red Transmitter and a reciver these are available and cost is reasonable it frees you from THE LEAD and doggy pc plugs which become loose.

I was a full time electronics engineer and still repair flash units and have been using my E10 with many types of Flash units for over 2 years.
Hope this helps.

Take a look at my work at OMP dont look if you are offend by female nudity !!!
http://www.onemodelplace.com/photographer_list.cfm/P_ID/5313

Adrian Hood said:

Brad,

I'm not aware of this, and I am also interested in finding out if
there is some damage being done to the camera by using the PC
terminal. So far I've shot over 1000 exposures using my PC
terminal and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Adrian

Click to expand...

--
Paul

I used the pc connector for studio, vivitar 285, sunpack, and metz's flashes with no problem. I have shot over 3000 pictures

Jayjay

--
Jayjay

Re: Wein Pro-Sync

I own the Wein Pro-Sync LX, a two-channel cordless IR transmitter that can be used to trigger both a local flash via a PC connection on the unit, and remote flashes, set to one of two channels. The unit goes on the hot shoe of the camera.

This is the most frustrating and temperamental piece of "pro" equipment I own. I would not recommend it to anyone who has to get the picture right on the first shot. It works when it feels like it, and if you buy one and have trouble with it and call Tiffen tech support, they'll tell you as much. Indeed, the technician agreed with me that it is a temperamental beast and suggested carrying an optical slave with me for those times it decides not to work (that's real handy when the bride and groom are coming down the aisle).

The really frustrating thing about this expensive piece of junk ($250) is that not only does the remote transmitter/receiver fail to work properly, even the sync connection works when it feels like it. And the switches are poorly designed, easy to bump and shut off or turn to the wrong channel. The whole thing is made out of cheap, easy-to-crack plastic, and it looks like something an inventor made as a prototype and sold it.

I've used it on a digital camera to isolate the studio strobe from the circuit, and it might be O.K. in a studio where you can get the shot again if it fails. But for weddings and other one-shot events, forget it. Get a wireless radio transmitter.

--
Carl Feather
Photographer/Writer
Wish I was in West Virginia

Paul,

I am confused about the sync voltages and vulnerability of digital cameras, this has been discussed previously and many posters cautioned about high voltage. Are you stating that there is no risk at all ?

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?frum=1014&message=3374645

Thanks,

Vishnu Reddy

Paul McLachlan said:

This is an old wives tale and totally incorrect and I will explain
why and the some reasons why you should not be concerned.

Firstly the current and voltage used by the flash units is very low
and is limited by the internal electronic for two reasons one is
risk of shock (personel injury) and the other is to remove risk of
damage to the camera trigger components.

I have run a studio for local photograhers for over 10 years and
never had any incidents or concerns at all,and this has been using
(if not most) types of camera, some do not have pcsockets and
needed to use hot shoe adaptors (shoe to PC adaptor)

The only issue I have encountered is Polarity sensivity with some
camaras, this is due to the internal electronics using
semiconductor components eg Diodes, Gates and transistors to
actvate the flash and these are polarity dependant eg like battery
and need to be reversed. we have over come this make an inline
switch to reverse the leads.

BUT VERY OLD FLASHES should not be used Im talking > > 20 years
belive me these are still around and working !!!!

If your still unsure use the wein unit or even better use infra red
Transmitter and a reciver these are available and cost is
reasonable it frees you from THE LEAD and doggy pc plugs which
become loose.

I was a full time electronics engineer and still repair flash units
and have been using my E10 with many types of Flash units for over
2 years.
Hope this helps.

Take a look at my work at OMP dont look if you are offend by female
nudity !!!
http://www.onemodelplace.com/photographer_list.cfm/P_ID/5313

Adrian Hood said:

Brad,

I'm not aware of this, and I am also interested in finding out if
there is some damage being done to the camera by using the PC
terminal. So far I've shot over 1000 exposures using my PC
terminal and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Adrian

Click to expand...

--
Paul

Click to expand...

Carl Feather said:

I own the Wein Pro-Sync LX, a two-channel cordless IR transmitter
that can be used to trigger both a local flash via a PC connection
on the unit, and remote flashes, set to one of two channels. The
unit goes on the hot shoe of the camera.

This is the most frustrating and temperamental piece of "pro"
equipment I own. I would not recommend it to anyone who has to get
the picture right on the first shot. It works when it feels like
it, and if you buy one and have trouble with it and call Tiffen
tech support, they'll tell you as much. Indeed, the technician
agreed with me that it is a temperamental beast and suggested
carrying an optical slave with me for those times it decides not to
work (that's real handy when the bride and groom are coming down
the aisle).

--
Carl Feather
Photographer/Writer
Wish I was in West Virginia

Click to expand...

I agree. The Wein Pro-Sync LX is worthless. Do not, Do not buy this item.
--
Jayjay

Nice work. I enjoy this particular style of photography myself and I can only hope to one day be half as good as you! Thanks for sharing.

Anthony

Paul McLachlan said:

Hi Guys
Take a look at my work at OMP dont look if you are offend by female
nudity !!!
http://www.onemodelplace.com/photographer_list.cfm/P_ID/5313

Click to expand...

Brad--
I can only say, "dump your camera store."

There's only one reason to sell you a bill of goods like this: money. They make money selling you equipment you don't need, from cameras that they need to push that aren't selling like they want (read: D100), and from repeat business from you because you think they're doing you a favor.

I myself once worked with a pro glamour photographer shooting with a Fuji S1pro, who couldn't get his expensive Olympus hotshoe to PC adapter to function because of the fuse. I ended up loaning him my cheapy no-fuse hotshoe to PC adapter--which I had been using for a year with my S1pro without problems.

With the S2, I've used it with some very cheap Britek studio flashes and also with other more expensive monolights, using the PC connector. Again, no problems with voltage spikes. Believe me, if there was a problem, I'd have seen it, since you can't get much cheaper than a Britek studio light.

And let's think about this logically: For years now, cameras have had electronic controls for AF, exposure control, shutter timing, etc., and they've had PC connectors. The statement that digital cameras shouldn't have a PC connector because they're somehow more vulnerable doesn't fly in the face of the fact that electronic controls have been in cameras for years. Also, think about this--if voltage spiking is a problem, why put a built-in flash on a camera? Isn't that just asking for trouble?

True, hot shoe flashes from 10+ years ago could generate huge pulses, particularly cheap flashes. But modern hot shoe flashes don't seem to have this problem.

Finally, if you're still concerned, I'd still go with the S2 and get yourself a SB-50DX flash. It comes with an infrared guard to go over the flash head so it will set off studio flashes without adding extra light to the scene and it fits into your hot shoe avoiding any possible issues with the PC connector. But anyone who wants to do you a favor by charging you more money probably isn't doing you a favor.

Anthony

Brad PT said:

Hello! I'm interested in feedback regarding the function of the Pc
sync cord terminal on the S2. I've been a professional
photographer for 11 years now, and have been researching digital
SLR camera's for about a year, and am close to "making the plunge"
into the digital world for much of my work. One specific feature
that I've been looking for is a flash sync terminal, just like I
have on my Nikon F100, old FM's and medium format cameras, so that
I can sync with my studio lights for portait and product work. I'm
excited about the prospect of being able to not only shoot
digitally in studio (as well as location jobs), but being able to
use the LCD monitor on the back of the camera to check (roughly) on
my lighting balance, etc. instead of pulling multiple polaroids!
This could save a whole lot of dollars in the long run! I see that
unlike the D100, the S2 does come with a Pc sync terminal. My
concern/question to you all is from comments made to me by tech
personnel at Calumet Photo in Chicago, and at a trusted Photo shop
in Minneapolis, regarding the usage of this sync terminal. They
have told me that no digital camera should have that terminal sync
feature, as you run the risk of "burning out your camera" from
potential voltage spikes that return to the camera from the studio
flashes. And that in addition to this, the warranty on the camera
would not cover you if this happened. They are recommending not
using the direct terminal, and instead, using something called a
"Wein" connector or a remote sync, both of which function from the
hot shoe. Have any of you heard of this, agree, disagree, etc.? I
am leaning strongly toward purchasing the S2 instead of the D100 at
this point. Any other general comments or encouragement toward
purchasing one or the other would be appreciated. Thanks for
bearing with this long note.

Brad Leavelle

Click to expand...

As I believe was mentioned, you shouldn't be in danger if you use only new flashes or lights, but if there's any chance you might be using an older unit you should get the Wein Safe Sync. It fits into the flash shoe and will protect your camera from the voltage surger some old flash/light units have. About four years ago a shooting partner got a chance to buy a new camera after an old lighting power pack fried his instantly. The Wein only should cost US$40-50, it's good insurance.