Fill Flash for R-D1s

[kena]

I know some people think flash is taboo in rangfinder photography but..... every once in a while a little fill is needed. My question is this what flash can I safely use w/ the R-d1s. I have this little Sears model 33080170 which is real small and hardly ? noticeable but I dont know the voltage. pix are attached. According to the epson website-

Please note when using flashes that they do not use high voltage, since the flash shoe of the R-D1s is not equipped for it. Furthermore, TTL is not supported by the R-D1s for design reasons. The flash can either be connected via the flash shoe (ISO512) or with a cable over the X-Synchro contact. An exposure time of 1/125 seconds or less is required for flash synchronization.

I also have an old Vivitar auto thyristor 550FD and a Nikon SB-24. Will the Lieca flash work as I may be looking for one for my M6. I'm assuming any of these will work, but I hate to assume. If anyone can confirm anything it would be appreciated. thanks, ken

 

[Dan Lazin]

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html provides measured flash voltages for all manner of old and new flashes. According to the site, most modern electronic cameras don't like more than 5V or 6V, and I'm not sure precisely what the R-D1 can handle.

I have used my R-D1 with an old Canon Speedlight 199A (4.99V, apparently) and a newer Nikon SB-80DX (4.29V). I *think* I've used it with my old Konica Hexar HX-14 (5.89V), but I don't remember precisely.

Unfortunately, your Sears flash isn't on the list. It's probably a rebranded version of some other flash -- if you can figure out what it's supposed to be, you'll know whether it's safe. Because it's an older flash, I would assume that it is *not* safe until you know better.

Meanwhile, your Vivitar seems to be iffy -- voltages vary considerably -- while the Nikon should be fine to use.

Might be best to pick up a small, known-to-be-safe flash from your local camera store or that auction site. Good luck.

 

[Jim Watts]

You could use the Wein SafeSync in the hotshoe to safely reduce the flash voltage: http://www.weinproducts.com/safesyncs.htm