EOS Digital Rebel/300D and a non-Canon (Cullmann) Flash - Please Help

Hi All

I got my hands on a Digital Rebel/EOS300D yesterday - my only problem so far is that my Cullmann 40AF Flash doesn't fire on it. When I mount it on the hotshoe it auto-zooms when I zoom the lens, so there is obviously some communication, but I cannot get the flash to fire when I release the shutter.

I have tried all combinations of the flash's settings (manual full power and TTL) and the camera's various modes and haven't been able to fire the flash once. This flash, which is dedicated to Canon cameras, works fine on my EOS 50 (Elan II). I am not surprised the TTL flash mode doesn't work because the Digital Rebel manual says TTL operation is only available with EX-series Speedlites, not other Speedlites, but I hoped manual mode at least would work.

I would really appreciate any hints on how to get this flash firing. I couldn't find an answer to this on the web or in this forum - if it has been addressed already I would appreciate the link.

Thanks
Peter

Hello,

Have you tryied using the 300D in manual mode (M)?

I have an old Canon 430EZ flash that on works im M.

Regards

Chavesl

peterwragg wrote:

Hi All

I got my hands on a Digital Rebel/EOS300D yesterday - my only
problem so far is that my Cullmann 40AF Flash doesn't fire on it.
When I mount it on the hotshoe it auto-zooms when I zoom the lens,
so there is obviously some communication, but I cannot get the
flash to fire when I release the shutter.

I have tried all combinations of the flash's settings (manual full
power and TTL) and the camera's various modes and haven't been able
to fire the flash once. This flash, which is dedicated to Canon
cameras, works fine on my EOS 50 (Elan II). I am not surprised the
TTL flash mode doesn't work because the Digital Rebel manual says
TTL operation is only available with EX-series Speedlites, not
other Speedlites, but I hoped manual mode at least would work.

I would really appreciate any hints on how to get this flash
firing. I couldn't find an answer to this on the web or in this
forum - if it has been addressed already I would appreciate the
link.

Thanks
Peter

Thanks Chavesl,

Manual mode (both camera and flash) was the first mode I tried - I do most of my shooting in manual. I have just double-checked again now - no luck. I checked the shutter speed was below the sync speed.

Best Wishes
Peter

chavesl wrote:
Hello,

Have you tryied using the 300D in manual mode (M)?

I have an old Canon 430EZ flash that on works im M.

Regards

Chavesl

peterwragg wrote:

Hi All

I got my hands on a Digital Rebel/EOS300D yesterday - my only
problem so far is that my Cullmann 40AF Flash doesn't fire on it.
When I mount it on the hotshoe it auto-zooms when I zoom the lens,
so there is obviously some communication, but I cannot get the
flash to fire when I release the shutter.

peterwragg wrote:
Thanks Chavesl,

Manual mode (both camera and flash) was the first mode I tried - I
do most of my shooting in manual. I have just double-checked again
now - no luck. I checked the shutter speed was below the sync speed.

Best Wishes
Peter

chavesl wrote:
Hello,

Have you tryied using the 300D in manual mode (M)?

I have an old Canon 430EZ flash that on works im M.

Regards

Chavesl

peterwragg wrote:

Hi All

I got my hands on a Digital Rebel/EOS300D yesterday - my only
problem so far is that my Cullmann 40AF Flash doesn't fire on it.
When I mount it on the hotshoe it auto-zooms when I zoom the lens,
so there is obviously some communication, but I cannot get the
flash to fire when I release the shutter.

I saw something somewhere - it may have been another forum = about this problem with Wien Safesync.

Apparently the centre contact on thre DR is in a slightly non standard position and is slightly smaller than standard, so the contacts don't always mate to fire the flash.

Canon's comment was that only Canon flash equipment should be used, and aything else would invalidate the guarantee!

Thanks Bill, You've cracked it - I now find that if I don't push the flash all the way into the hotshoe (maybe half a mm less than all the way in) then the flash fires but I lose the auto-zoom (useless anyway due to the 1.6X magnification factor) and there is no TTL metering - it is a pure manual blast, but better than nothing. Presumably doing this makes the center X-sync contacts connect but breaks the contact of the other 4 contacts which carry the additional information. Good to have the problem sorted out - I hoped I might be missing something simple and that TTL operation might still be possible. I guess it might be but it would require some way to make all the contacts meet - when I get time I'll put my mind to it. At least I know what the problem is now.

Best Wishes
Peter

Bill McKelvie wrote:

peterwragg wrote:

Hi All

I got my hands on a Digital Rebel/EOS300D yesterday - my only
problem so far is that my Cullmann 40AF Flash doesn't fire on it.
When I mount it on the hotshoe it auto-zooms when I zoom the lens,
so there is obviously some communication, but I cannot get the
flash to fire when I release the shutter.

I saw something somewhere - it may have been another forum = about
this problem with Wien Safesync.
Apparently the centre contact on thre DR is in a slightly non
standard position and is slightly smaller than standard, so the
contacts don't always mate to fire the flash.
Canon's comment was that only Canon flash equipment should be used,
and aything else would invalidate the guarantee!

Bill,

I went to a camera store about 2 months and I was told that the hot shoe
apd. would work if you reverse the plug...in other words turn it around.
This had to do with using Ailen Bee...but same concept....I think.
let me know if this works.
Stephen

azroin wrote:

Bill,

I went to a camera store about 2 months and I was told that the hot
shoe
apd. would work if you reverse the plug...in other words turn it
around.
This had to do with using Ailen Bee...but same concept....I think.
let me know if this works.
Stephen

Yes, I've heard (and tried) that with a hot shoe adaptor, but it is a bit difficult with a camera top flashgun when the camera points backwards!
An off Camera extension cord might do the trick.
--
Bill.