Mamiya 6 Flash Query

[Dave Son]

Hi all,

I’m struggling to find info relating to safe/suitable on-camera flash options for a Mamiya 6 (the more modern ‘new’ Mamiya 6, that is).

I’ve had this camera for a couple of years now but have yet to shoot flash with it and upon doing some research, noticed that there isn’t any info in the camera’s manual regarding what the voltage capacity is. Odd. And having read through threads on various forums I’ve come across very mixed messages about how likely high powered flashes are to damage the camera’s electronics. Currently I have an old Vivitar 285hv and on this flash alone, I’ve read both good and bad things re how safe it is for use with a Mamiya 6/7 - so I’m too nervous to risk trying this setup but, as there’s no official guidance out there on this, I’m not sure what kind of flash to get to use with this camera. Ideally, I’d love something smaller than the 285 but that still has the tilting head for bounce, if possible. But the safety of the cam is the main thing - any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[MattKing]

If you are concerned, it is always a good idea to incorporate something like a Wein Safe Synch.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html

 

[Oren Grad]

What Matt said.

https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/480435-flash-for-mamiya-6/#comment-5084865

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/node/62131#post1328651

 

[reddesert]

I don't know the safe trigger voltage for a Mamiya 6. You can measure the trigger voltage of a flash easily with a voltmeter. There's a list of measured voltages here: https://www.botzilla.com/page/strobeVolts.html

Given the relative expense of the camera and that on-camera flashes from the AF film era are pretty cheap now, I would get a late model flash that is known to have a trigger voltage around 5V or so. Something like a Nikon SB-24, 25, 26, or 28 - these are all very capable, and work fine on non-Nikon cameras in manual or auto non-TTL mode (IOW they have basically the same functionality as the Vivitar 285).