canon L3 using flash?

[DonaldJ.]

i have a canon L3, i have searched alot about the camera and have found its a L2 with out a xsync setting and without the 1/1000th shutter speed. i have found that the camera is said to have a covered pc sync? but mine does not, the PC port is visible from the side and will set off a flash. i have tried this, having the back open and looking through the lens i can see the flash go off, i have guessed that shooting a slow shutter speed will possibly "sync" at like 1/30th possibly?

anyone have experience or anything? i love the camera, i got it for a low price so i couldn't complain, i just am trying to figure out it its possible to use a flash with it at all.

 

[Papa Smurf]

Hi, Congratulations on your acquisition. I have an L2 and it has a red colored number 30-1 to indicate the sync speed. According to info that I downloaded, the L2 sync delay is only for FP bulbs .

"The L2 is a simpler version of the Canon VT. It was the first Canon with a lever to advance the film. Unlike the VT, it does not have a self-timer. Flash synchronization is provided (FP only)."

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"The L3 is similar to the Canon L1, but does not have flash synchronization, or the 1/1000 top speed.[/FONT]"

There is a web site that has archival information about Canon Rangefinder Cameras < http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica_copies/index_c.htm >

Sorry about the lack of flash capability, but the L series were quality cameras that Canon left off some features in order to push the cost down to reach a broader market share.

As an after thought, check your serial number. My L2 has a L1 baseplate and metal shutter curtains. It is either a hybrid that someone piece together or Canon was using up parts.

 

[DonaldJ.]

mine does also have the 1/30th in the red. i checked the serial number and it falls within the range of the L3, but looking at the picture it does not have a PC port on the side that i could see. where mine does have one. mine has a the cloth shutter curtains and everything else that it should, it just seems to have a PC port when it shouldn't.

 

[payasam]

A cloth focal plane shutter will be like that on a Leica, and you should be able to use flash at 1/30 sec. As you have already looked through the open back and, er, seen the light, there's little to worry about.

 

[DonaldJ.]

thank you, that was kind of what i was thinking. i shot a few frames with flash to test it out. i imagine the "sync" is between 1/60th and 1/30th, so ill just have to go with 1/30th.

 

[John Shriver]

The sync may be too early for electronic flash even at 1/30. It may be a flashbulb-only camera.