PC sync socket

Chan Tran · Apr 16, 2022

Do people use the PC sync socket often? I don't hear people use it a lot. For off camera flash I always heard people use radio or optical remote trigger via the hot shoe. But if people don't use the the PC socket why on most used equipment the cap that cover the socket is missing. I am one that use the PC socket often but I never lost the cap.

Duceman · Apr 16, 2022

I've got a Metz 45 CL-4 set up on its "L"-bracket that I use with a variety of cameras, all of which connect via the PC sync. I also have a strobe system that I use with a variety of cameras, and as such also connects via the PC sync. I have looked into getting a wireless trigger system, but came to the conclusion that directly connecting via the PC sync still works for me.

DWThomas · Apr 16, 2022

I don't use it often because I don't use flash often, but I do use a PC connector and have a nifty little adapter that slides into a cold shoe and uses a short cable to the PC to create a hot shoe. I have used it on my old folders -- Perkeo II, etc. As an ancient technical type I see wireless triggers as needless complexity -- unless maybe one is getting into multiple flash hook-ups (which I don't do).

As to the cover, I've seen more without than with. I'm not even sure early cameras had a cover on the PC connector when new.

benjiboy · Apr 16, 2022

Although I have a wireless flash trigger system with several sensors, I find it much more convenient when using my Metz 45 CT5 hammerhead flash to use the camera sync socket with it.

Chan Tran · Apr 16, 2022

I asked because when I look for used cameras very few have the cap yet I didn't lose any of my cap. I had to buy caps to put on used cameras I bought that didn't have them.

BrianShaw · Apr 16, 2022

Chan Tran said:
I asked because when I look for used cameras very few have the cap yet I didn't lose any of my cap. I had to buy caps to put on used cameras I bought that didn't have them.

You seem to be unusually lucky. They loosen up through handling and sometimes fall off before it is noticed.

MattKing · Apr 16, 2022

I've lost the caps on every camera I've ever owned (that had them when I got them).
My cameras aren't usually overly worn - but the caps are never safe.

wiltw · Apr 16, 2022

My pattern of use is, for non-TTL flash cameras

on-camera flash (no remote flash) plugged into PC sync, and/or
off-camera flash controlled by radio transmitter plugged into sync socket

My pattern of use for studio lights

primarly flash plugged into rPC sync
secondary flash units optically slaved to primary flash units

...and sometimes all flash units triggered via radio remote if primary is located where cable connection is inconvenient/not possible.

Cap for the PC terminal...never really bothered to keep them around...they are a nuisance to have if you use the PC terminal a lot.

Sirius Glass · Apr 16, 2022

Like DWThomas I do not use the PC sync socket because I do not use flash very often, even though I have a Nikon SB800 strobe.

VinceInMT · Apr 16, 2022

I just used mine on my RolleiCord VB because I needed the flash lots lower than the camera.

radiant · Apr 16, 2022

I use PC sync always when shooting with my studio flashes. Maybe it is because the distances are very short (camera->flash and flash<->subject).

I only have one TTL flash for Dynax series. Even on digital I use manual flash (FlashQ).

CMoore · Apr 16, 2022

Chan Tran said:
Do people use the PC sync socket often? I don't hear people use it a lot. For off camera flash I always heard people use radio or optical remote trigger via the hot shoe. But if people don't use the the PC socket why on most used equipment the cap that cover the socket is missing. I am one that use the PC socket often but I never lost the cap.

This is funny.
I have often wondered the same thing for the same reason.

I suppose when these cameras were contemporary, the socket was used A LOT More Often and many people lost the things or just never cared to put them back on.?

All of my 35mm SLR have them installed. They seem to fit rather tight, but if used.....taken on and off a lot.....perhaps (as some of our members suggested) they did get loose and fall off easily.?

If these little guys could only talk.......

AgX · Apr 16, 2022

Chan Tran said:
I asked because when I look for used cameras very few have the cap yet I didn't lose any of my cap. I had to buy caps to put on used cameras I bought that didn't have them.

All fellows hoarding cameras make this experience. And I guess few bother about this. I myself got maybe 3 or 4 caps.

Moreover, more PC sockets left the factory without a cap than with.
A cap only makes sense if the camera got a hot-shoe in use and the same time chance is one touches the PC socket.

benveniste · Apr 17, 2022

I try to avoid using sync cords, so I think I last lost a cap about 15 years ago. When I do use them, I hang them off of a Wein Safe sync, which didn't come with a cap.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 17, 2022

Chan Tran said:
Do people use the PC sync socket often? I don't hear people use it a lot. For off camera flash I always heard people use radio or optical remote trigger via the hot shoe. But if people don't use the the PC socket why on most used equipment the cap that cover the socket is missing. I am one that use the PC socket often but I never lost the cap.

I ,almost always, use a remote radio trigger from the hot shoe

Chan Tran · Apr 17, 2022

RalphLambrecht said:
I ,almost always, use a remote radio trigger from the hot shoe

And do you lose any of your PC sync caps?

benjiboy · Apr 17, 2022

I've lost many sync socket plastic caps from my cameras in my more than sixty years of photography Chan, but I've learned not to worry about it.

Sirius Glass · Apr 17, 2022

The cameras that I have owned over the years never came with a PC socket cap. I never missed the caps.

bluechromis · Apr 17, 2022

I use a PC cable with Mamiya 330 f with a strobe on the side grip and Minolta XD-11 with a strobe on a bracket. With the Mamiya it seems one would have to use a PC cable for flash if only to connect to a remote flash controller. Except for the PC connectors with a locking feature, it seems like it was a flawed design that could come off too easily. It irritates me that my modern Canon strobes lack a socket to connect a cable.

xkaes · Apr 17, 2022

Chan Tran said:
I am one that use the PC socket often but I never lost the cap.

Something tells me you don't check the tire pressure in your car tires too often.

The PC covers on cameras are not too important, but you don't want stuff, especially liquids, to get in there.

Lots of cameras, especially new ones, have caps that are flaps and can't get lost.

Chan Tran · Apr 17, 2022

xkaes said:
Something tells me you don't check the tire pressure in your car tires too often.

The PC covers on cameras are not too important, but you don't want stuff, especially liquids, to get in there.

Lots of cameras, especially new ones, have caps that are flaps and can't get lost.

There wouldn't any liquid near my camera.

AgX · Apr 17, 2022

Seen all these replies you might now tell us why want such caps on your cameras.
Is it about completeness of a camera? As in still having the JCII sticker.

Sirius Glass · Apr 17, 2022

AgX said:
Seen all these replies you might now tell us why want such caps on your cameras.
Is it about completeness of a camera? As in still having the JCII sticker.

I do not know about caps on cameras, but I wear a hat in the sun. Does that count?

Chan Tran · Apr 17, 2022

AgX said:
Seen all these replies you might now tell us why want such caps on your cameras.
Is it about completeness of a camera? As in still having the JCII sticker.

I want caps on cameras that came with the caps.

benjiboy · Apr 17, 2022

Chan Tran said:
I want caps on cameras that came with the caps.

The JCII sticker was a marketing ploy the organisation didn't test every camera but only 1 in a very large batch, but the stickers were put on all of them. The main reason they did it was to confirm it wasn't a "knock off" of a German product and didn't infringe copyright law.

PC sync socket

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