Can I use an old Minolta flash with a slave trigger?

MiqsPix

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25 Aug 2011 - 4:42 PM

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I have an old Minolta 1800 af flash and want to use it with a hot shoe slave trigger as a remote flash within a simple studio set up. I have read that the Minolta flash configuration of hot shoe pins will not be compatible with a selection of triggers. Is this true and is there any way around this problem?

AlanPerkins

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25 Aug 2011 - 8:26 PM

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You do need to take care to find a trigger that's compatible with Minolta/Sony flash mount. I used Minolta film cameras, and the hotshoe on that would not even accept a hotshoe spirit level.

AlanPerkins

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25 Aug 2011 - 10:03 PM

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Quote: You do need to take care to find a trigger that's compatible with Minolta/Sony flash mount

Why? The flash isn't connected to the camera - and the centre contact (with the shoe mount providing the 'earth') is also isolated...????

No idea why. I've never taken one appart. I just know from my experience of Minolta cameras that generic hotshoe attachements don't fit Minolta/Sony hotshoes. I therefore advise caution when purchasing an item which is intended for use with a Minolta flash.

AlanPerkins

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25 Aug 2011 - 10:29 PM

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Quote: Identify the problem.

The OPTICAL 'trigger' still needs to fit onto the MINOLTA kit to be able to fire it. Have you checked that it will? If so, my advice to be cautious it redundant. The OP is aware of possible problems, which was the reason for my original advice.

RogBrown (e2 Member)

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26 Aug 2011 - 9:14 AM

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Quote: The Minolta has a hot shoe so what`s the problem

The Minolta/Sony hotshoe is different to every other make on the planet!

User_Removed

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26 Aug 2011 - 10:36 AM

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My sincere apologies Alan - a close friend uses Minolta 35mm equipment and that is standard in terms of hotshoe...

What and who 'signed-off' on this!!?? -



There's a whole bunch of adapters and stuff here - if it helps.

And they say ignorance is bliss!! My apologies again.

MiqsPix

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26 Aug 2011 - 5:12 PM

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Thanks for all the replies. I went down to my local Jessops camera store and took the Minolta flash with me and sure enough it didn't fit their trigger shoe. I investigated the possibility of using a flash adapter but saw THIS on Ebay including the caveat "Do not use with old (usually more than 10 years old) high sync voltage flashes, as the adapter does not include a voltage matching circuit ..." Would this still apply to me using it as a remote flash trigger and not fixed on the camera? I know that we cannot use old flash guns on new cameras but will this still apply to my intended use as a remote flash trigger?

To Mike Otley:
Checked your example but this was stated …. NOTE: It will not work with Canon EX series SpeedLite (including 580EX II, 580EX, 430EX, 420EX, 380EX) and Sony/Konica Minolta flash units.

kinfatric

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26 Aug 2011 - 7:53 PM

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Sorry Roger, I should have read the post above mine and hadn't noticed you had already tracked the item down that I mention.