SB400 flash on an RD1S...?

[dan denmark]

i know this has been covered before but a search turned nothing up, so here goes again. i have several RF cameras, most of the more recent Bessas, an M3 (thanks, Hung), and small handfull of III's, an RD1S and a mix of others. i often loan one out to a friend who is debating getting a film camera and trying his hand at film over digital so i will loan him my RD as well as a Bessa this weekend so he can play over the school break. but then he asked a question about flash guns. he has a Nikon SB400 that he uses for the film cameras he borrows and wanted to know if he could use it on the RD... i rarely use a flash and never on the RD and i seem to remember someone saying some flash attachments could "fry" the electronics in a digital cam. i have an older SB-28 i use for film work occasionally but, as i said, never on the RD as yet.

any thought about the SB400 on the RD? thanks in advance.

-dd

 

[mwooten]

Dan,
Refer to Rich C's site (LINK) for more detailed info on RD1's and flash units.
I use an SB-28 on my RD1s (in fact will be using it tomorrow), and I have tried my SB-600 on the camera. Both work, but the '28 is worlds better. It allows for quick and easy adjustments that the 600 doesn't.

One thing to keep in mind is the relative heavy weight of the flash unit upon the "hood" of the camera. Some member of the forum have expressed concern that the flash unit might distort that part of the camera. I've had no trouble, but haven't been sloppy with the camera while a flash is attached.

 

[dan denmark]

thanks, that's the article i was looking for. says all i need to know, too, for this occasion. i think the 400 is safe on the rd.

cheers,

-dd

 

[nksyoon]

Isn't the SB-400 controllable only by Nikon cameras? No auto or manual settings.

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/speedlights/sb-400/index.htm

"Note: SB-400 cannot be used with cameras not compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System. SB-400 is not compatible with Advanced Wireless Lighting. "

"Flash mode: i-TTL, M (manual, only with the D40)"

 

[Tuolumne]

Try the SB-27. It's great and its "L" shape makes it balance well on any rangefinder camera.

/T

 

[dan denmark]

oops, close call. we did some homework but obviously the horse's mouth revealed all..who'da thought to go to the Nikon site...?!?. will recommend the SB-27, perfect for the job needs. thanks Tuolumne... too bad the 400 is so restricted in its application...perfect flash for fill and short distances which is what it is wanted for.

cheers, -dd

 

[dan denmark]

out of interest, i got an SB27 via ebay, good price, new and cheap. after a few nights testing it out with a couple of settings i finally settled on f8 for the CV20 and f11 on the 40 Nokton. set the SB27 on manual and full flash 1/1 and the RD on ISO 200 and used DOF focusing to 5 metres on the lens barrels. i made a diffuser out of two folds of white plastic shopping bag and a layer of 6mm bubble wrap and a strip of gaffer tape to hold it all on. very prof! made a broad soft illumination at up to 3 metres and used it friday night for a job at a melbourne disco dance party. nice light and it pushed out three hundred pics with the RD and two sets of batteries in the RD as well as the 27. the promoter was happy with the job and i got paid. yay.

thanks for all the help, folks. as for my friend who originally started this so he could have a freebie at my expense...he gets it next weekend.

cheers,

-dd