Courtenay Solaflash 600 - Help new owner!

[Steve Mills]

Took a chance at Focus on Imaging (UK) on Sunday and bought a pair of Courtenay Solflash 600's with umbrellas and stands (all leads included - bought from The Disabled Photographers Charity). I did not intend buying lights but the whole kit was MINT, they looked as though they had not be used at all, and at £270 I could not leave them there! Someone tell me I did not make a mistake, I have not even tried to fire them yet!!
Anyway, heres the questions -:

1. Can I get a wireless/infra red system to fire these lights from my Canon 10D (I've heard that its possible to damage the camera by using the sync lead). If so, where?

2. Does anyone know where I can get new flash tubes from?

3. Does anyone know where I can get a manual from?

4. Did I make a huge mistake, if so can anyone suggest a plausible excuse I can use on my Wife?!

--
Thanks, Steve

 

[Peter Berressem]

Someone tell me I did not make a mistake, I have not
even tried to fire them yet!!

So how could anyone know...;-) Set them to the lowest power, switch on, pop some flashes, increase the power step by step, firing flashes and let them stay 'on' for some hours - all to strenghten the likely weakened capacitors.

Anyway, heres the questions -:
1. Can I get a wireless/infra red system to fire these lights from
my Canon 10D (I've heard that its possible to damage the camera by
using the sync lead). If so, where?

You may use any system on the marked, it gets plugged into the 6.35mm sync socket. At best, use a voltmeter to verify the sync voltage, being

In case the voltage is too high (and you don't have a wireless trigger) there are voltage limiters availible (Wein safe sync, Paramount safe sync cord).

2. Does anyone know where I can get new flash tubes from?

Try Bowens (or Calumet) or an independant flash service. If you don't find help in the UK, I know someone in Germany who still offers those.
http://www.ccs-licht.de/?V_e_r_k_a_u_f:Blitzr%F6hren (sorry, site is in German only)

3. Does anyone know where I can get a manual from?

You won't need a manual, I suppose. (self explaining ;-)

4. Did I make a huge mistake, if so can anyone suggest a plausible
excuse I can use on my Wife?!

You'll be more sure after firing some flashes....

--
cheers, Peter

Germany

 

[Steve Mills]

Peter, many thanks for your reply. I did plug them in and they work fine. I will look into obtaining the flash tubes in the UK and will keep ane eye out for some infra red triggers on Ebay. At least I will not have to make up a story for my wife!!
--
Thanks, Steve

 

[Peter Berressem]

Steve, I'd prefer a radio trigger instead of an IR. The price is rather low, so you wouldn't have to make a story for this, too ;-)
http://www.studioflash.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=TXRX03

--
cheers, Peter

Germany

 

[Steve Mills]

Peter, I agree that radio is the way to go. I'm going to post this link to see if anyone has any experience with this product/supplier.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170085441148&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RUPX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=170084635226&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=UpSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

--
Thanks, Steve

 

[Peter Del]

I have not looked at my Solar flash for twenty years, (is in the loft), but it can be fired remotely by being triggered by the cameras' built-in flash.
The receiver is a small, clear plastic dome on the rear of the unit.
Peter Del
http://www.peterdelehar.com

 

[Peter Berressem]

The RD616 is (amongst all Chinese triggers) reported as reliable working.

A remark to the Courteneys: if you need other reflectors or a speedring, they are compatible with the (older) Bowens L type.

--
cheers, Peter

Germany

 

[Barrie Davis]

Peter, many thanks for your reply. I did plug them in and they work
fine. I will look into obtaining the flash tubes in the UK.

Steve,

I'll stick my neck out here and say don't panic about the flash tubes. They don't go very often... and they are unlikely to fail for many years, if ever, in the reduced usage of an amateur.

Just don't sit there for days at a time, making them go -pOp- for nothing more than the sheer hell of it, okay? ;-)

It is power capacitors that need nursing, and they are best conditioned by NOT neglecting them for months or years. Power up the units once a month, and discharge a few flashes too, unless you have done some live shooting with them in that month.
(this is good practise with any flashgun, inc. the minis built into cameras)

Sola 600s are not bad. I hope you enjoy them.
--
Regards,
Baz