Reading mode: Light Dark

nx10 flash trigger voltage

Go to last post
V

v12nut

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
293
Reaction score
41
Location
ES
Hi all,

Does anyone here know what the safe flash trigger voltage is for this camera?

I have written to Samsung 6 times requesting this info! and still not had the answer!

If anyone has the dedicated flashgun perhaps you could measure the voltage across the pins and post it here? that would at least be a start point.

I have a number of old guns laying around, a ring flash in particular that I would love to press back into service with the nx if possible.

regards

Tom
 
I can test it for you but most modern cameras use less than 6v. I think you will find the legacy stuff is considerably higher.

Try using the Wein save slave, that is a workaround I used to use with my 1st gen rebel so that I could plug it into my studio rig...
 
Hi,

I would appreciate it if you would test the gun and post the voltage, always good to know.

I have looked at other modern cameras and you are correct, 6v or less seems to be the norm, however there are exceptions! have a look here
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

I already tested a few of my guns, 3 are around 6-7v just a wee bit nervous of actually trying them on my NX till I know for sure! but I will look at the Wein as a possible solution, Thanks.

Regards

Tom
 
v12nut said:
Hi all,

Does anyone here know what the safe flash trigger voltage is for this camera?

I have written to Samsung 6 times requesting this info! and still not had the answer!
Click to expand...
I think it's not just Samsung which fails to respond on this topic. Other camera makers are equally silent on the matter. It appears they think it will work to their advantage by persuading users that the only safe course is to buy the maker's own dedicated flash.
v12nut said:
If anyone has the dedicated flashgun perhaps you could measure the voltage across the pins and post it here? that would at least be a start point.

I have a number of old guns laying around, a ring flash in particular that I would love to press back into service with the nx if possible.
Click to expand...
There is an ISO Standard (ISO 10330) which recent cameras may adhere to, which means the safe trigger voltage is up to around 24 volts. However, I understand that some makers have stated a much lower limit.

You can measure the trigger voltage of the flash guns in your possession by using an ordinary digital multimeter. This is an inexpensive item and could be useful for many other purposes.

To measure the voltage, connect the probes to the centre pin and the side contact at the base of the flash (where it fits into the hotshoe).

It's important to not use an old analogue type meter as these have a low input resistance and can completely change the voltage being measured. It's also a good idea to set the meter to a high DC volts range, such as the 300V range - this will also help to avoid the meter's own resistance from causing an erroneous result.

One other point, I've owned two different versions of a Vivitar 283 flash, which was in production for many years. The old one measured at somewhere in the region of 200 volts, while the modern one measures around 8 or 9 volts. So it's best to measure the equipment which you own, to be sure of what it is that you are dealing with.

Regards,
Peter
 
Hi Peter,

Thanks for your reply. I am aware of the ISO, however if you look here

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html you will find a few manufacturers

who dont/wont adhere to it, so at the moment I am not sure which camp Samsung is in! ie 3-6v or anything up to 250v! or like Fuji 400v!

As for testing the guns your method is spot on and I have in fact tested mine this way, most of them are between 6-7v, they should be safe but..........

I would still rather have it from the horses mouth.

regards

Tom
 
I got the NX100 over the weekend, and I also have the Canon G9 and G11. I use the Canon 430EX II on both my Canon cameras. How would I setup an NX100(or NX10) to use the 430EX II in a manual configuration? I have forgotten the "old" ways from my film SLR times of using a flash. I would guess the 430EX II would be "safe" to use on the NX100?

thanks,
Dennis
 
I have a 420, but I believe the same is true for the 430 in that it doesn't actually have manual settings...

At any rate the Wein safe sync should hook you up. The camera may fire the flash at a fixed output (either full or pre-flash). A 550/580 would give you more options but then again so would the Samsung piece.
 
Hi,

I just tested my NX100 with my Olympus FL36R and then my Pentax AF-540FGZ flash units.

I used M (manual mode) on the NX and set the aperture to f5.6 and the shutter speed to 1/80th second. I tried various settings on each flash.

Both these flashes offer ttl mode as well as Auto and Manual modes. Of course, you can't use the ttl mode with the NX100 but in the case of the Pentax it is available and seems to work the same as Auto. I found that the fastest speed either flash will fire is at 1/200th of a second. Any faster shutter speed neither flash will fire. This must be the camera's fastest sync speed (I haven't checked the manual though). Using Auto mode on either flash allows selection of ISO and aperture on the flash so it's easy enough to match the camera settings.
There are 2 issues.

The first being that in low light the display is not visible until the shutter is half pressed and then only momentarily visible until focus is achieved (or otherwise).

The second is that the NX100 does not recognise that a flash is attached so you can't use aperture priority because it tries to determine the correct exposure as if no flash is attached. As a result it sets the shutter speed to a slow enough speed to get the correct exposure without the flash. Which means when the flash fires, the shot is over exposed (and possibly blurry in low light). The workaround is to shoot in manual (or possibly shutter priority but you have no control over aperture) as described abobe.

In M mode on the NX100 you can adjust shutter and aperture as you wish as long as you dont exceed 1/200th of a second.

The final issue (ok 3 issues!) is that you may not be able to use a flash outdoor as a fill flash unless you keep the shutter speed below 1/200th of a second. This could be achieved by closing the aperture right down but if you were trying to get some background seperation it might make this difficult. Neutral density filters perhaps or use a Samsung dedicated flash?

The FL36R is about half the size of the Pentax unit therefore is less cumbersome than the Pentax so probably better suited. Both flash units are designed for digital cameras.

Just to clarify, I was only trying one flash at a time and it was attached to the cameras hot shoe.

Regards,
Paul
 
Hi Paul,

Glad you had some success with your guns, M mode was the only mode I ever wanted to use my old guns in and with the nx10 there is a built in flash which I can use for fill if required, so I am quite happy!

The start of this thread was to determine the 'safe flash trigger' voltage on the nx10, pretty sure it will be the same for the nx100, the answer to which no one on the list knows! and Samsung are not for passing on the data to us mere mortals! the guess is it will be around 3-6v.

Did you measure the voltage of your guns? the reason I ask is I know that some older Pentax and Olympus models had voltages in excess of 6v so it may be wise to check them.

regards

Tom
 
Paul Panetta said:
The first being that in low light the display is not visible until the shutter is half pressed and then only momentarily visible until focus is achieved (or otherwise).
Click to expand...
Try using frame mode...
 
I have used Nikon Speedlight SB 28 on NX100;

Manual mode 1/30 to 1/160, but at 1/200 not fire. white balance/tone moved;not as good as normal, sensor overflow experience at short distance. No test on kit lens.
I dont like flash.

--
hpchan
 
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the reply.
Whoops, I saw the nx10 as nx100 :-). At least you are ok for fill flash.

Regarding the trigger voltage, I didn't measure it as I wouldn't know where to start, but I am sure it woudl involve a multi-meter which I don't possess. I was failry confident my newer flashes would be safe as most of the newer ones seems to use or need the lower trigger voltage.
I guess I jumped in the deep end but so far seem to have got away with it.

I also have an older Sunpak 2000 manual flash which I had purchased for an old k-mount film camera. I had used that with success on my Ricoh GX-100 and my Pentax KX as well. I do recall checking the Strobe list at the time (refferenced in an earlier posting on this thread) and it was 3V which was safe so I dare say that it would also be fine on my NX100.

But for the time being my preference is for the Oly FL36R because of size.

Hmm, come to think of it I also have a very old Ricoh flash lying about but from memory I think this was not a safe option. However, it was small but had no tilt/swivel option.

Regards,
Paul
 
Cool, thanks for that. I will try it.

Regards,
Paul
 
Hi hpchan,
hpchan said:
I have used Nikon Speedlight SB 28 on NX100;
Manual mode 1/30 to 1/160, but at 1/200 not fire.
Click to expand...
Well that is strange isnt it? Wonder if some setting on my nx100 made a difference as I was able to fire the flash (Pentax and Oly units) at 1/200 but not beyond and of course, I had the kit lens attached. Perhaps you could try with the kit and see if it different?

Not sure about the other effects you mentioned.

Regards,
Paul
 
Paul,

When the sensor trigger by overflow, the highlight is not in white but yellow and white color, I have one time burn the sensor and replaced an brand new camera on protection; so I would not give further test on flash. There are no fun by adding so much weight on the top of nx and every the light letting the pic become flat. By the way, the NX I treat it as (Master-piece of Photography), I push it to iso 3200 with saturation +4 on Prakticar lens with russian coating for resemble Nikon D200 color tone. Also on old coating lens saturation +3 plus contrast +1 wonderful on old Nikkor 35mm f2.8.
No need Flash.b

--
hpchan
 
Coldamus said:
I measured the trigger voltage of my Samsung SEF20A flash as 5.5 volts.
Click to expand...
so I think it is safe to use the Samsung flash on Sony A99. Neither carmera nor flash will be damaged?
 
It's safe from the voltage aspect, but it will work as a fully manual flash.
 
otto k said:
It's safe from the voltage aspect, but it will work as a fully manual flash.
Click to expand...
Thank you.

I tried the combo tonight. It flashes and I think it is at full output regardless of the EV setting on the SEF20A.

So for a small room, I don't need to bring up the Sony 58 flash. I am OK with the M mode of the camera.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top