SCA flash adapter compatibility

kavandje · Jan 4, 2009

Back in the day, I owned a Minolta X-300, for which I had an SCA 331 adapter for my Cullmann DC32 flash, in order to use the TTL facility of the camera to control the flash.

I no longer own the Minolta, but I do own a Canon A-1. Looking at the adapter, the pins look like they're in the right place. Will this adapter work, or do need a different one?

Does anyone have a compatibility table?

Thanks!!

Nick Zentena · Jan 4, 2009

If you're asking if the minolta module will work on the canon I doubt it.

Go to the Metz website. The info should be there. At least it used to be. Or after the holidays email Metz tech support.

Lee L · Jan 4, 2009

You need an SCA310 for the Canon A-1. KEH.com has them used for reasonable prices.

My instructions for the SCA 311 list the following models as compatible:

Minolta XG / XD / X-300 / X-370 / X-300 S / X-370 N
X-700 / X-500 / X-570
CLE
Maxxum 5000 / 7000 / 9000

The pins may be in the same place as the Canon, but the pin-outs and voltages are probably not compatible, which raises the possibility of frying the A-1 electronics.

Lee

mudman · Jan 5, 2009

It'll work in manual or on flash auto mode, just no TTL. I don't think you'll fry the camera with the voltage. If people could use the high voltage Vivitar 283s, I don't think the Metz flash will have a problem.

Lee L · Jan 5, 2009

mudman said:
It'll work in manual or on flash auto mode, just no TTL. I don't think you'll fry the camera with the voltage. If people could use the high voltage Vivitar 283s, I don't think the Metz flash will have a problem.

The high voltage from the 283 is between the central pin and ground, not on other pins. Without a schematic and protocol, how can you be sure that the other two Minolta pins won't send reversed polarity, over-voltage, or other "false" or damaging voltages/current to the A-1 that will either throw off the exposure or possibly cause damage to the circuitry in the body?

CORRECTIONS TO MY EARLIER POST:
My instructions for the SCA 311 list the following models as compatible:
should read: "for the SCA 331"

It also appears from the Metz site that the SCA 310 recommended for Canon models including the A-1 (as stated in my old instructions) should now be the
SCA 311.

Lee

Klopstock · Jan 5, 2009

You need the right adapter, and Metz has everything you need to know on the web site:

http://www.metz.de/en/photo-electronics/sca-adapter.html

If you don't find what you need, ask their support, these guys are great and always have a good reply.

mudman · Jan 6, 2009

Lee L said:
The high voltage from the 283 is between the central pin and ground, not on other pins. Without a schematic and protocol, how can you be sure that the other two Minolta pins won't send reversed polarity, over-voltage, or other "false" or damaging voltages/current to the A-1 that will either throw off the exposure or possibly cause damage to the circuitry in the body?

CORRECTIONS TO MY EARLIER POST:
My instructions for the SCA 311 list the following models as compatible:
should read: "for the SCA 331"

It also appears from the Metz site that the SCA 310 recommended for Canon models including the A-1 (as stated in my old instructions) should now be the
SCA 311.

Lee

Can you really be sure of anything in life? I don't know. I do know that the voltage of my Metz SCA 300 series is below 8 volts, which even modern electronics in digital cameras can withstand. I'd think that a well built camera from the 80's should be able to handle it. I use my Metz flash with contacts for Contax/Yashica with Pentax and Nikon cameras. Haven't noticed any ill effects yet, and I don't think I will.

Lee L · Jan 6, 2009

mudman said:
Can you really be sure of anything in life? I don't know.

You can be sure that if you do damage your camera or flash using the wrong adapter that it's your loss and no one will cover the damage. You can be sure that you didn't actually answer the OP's question about real compatibility with the A-1 functions, and supplied unfounded speculation instead.

Using a Metz SCA 300 flash across brands without TTL or automatic body functions would be better with the standard SCA 301 adapter, which is a single pin standard shoe adapter that won't put random voltages through random pins, or throw off your exposure by supplying bad information to the camera body electronics.

Lee

mudman · Jan 6, 2009

Through my experience with Nikon and Pentax and Contax Cameras, there is no ill effects from the SCA adapter being used on the different camera bodies, either in exposure or in the camera itself. Your mileage may vary, but it has not been a problem for me or my cameras. All of them are still going strong, and if I fry one of them because my adapter was wrong and I'm being an idiot then my bad. Would it be best to use the correct adapter? Yes because it will get you all of the program modes. The Minolta adapter end will not. That better? Sorry if I sound testy, I don't mean to.

Vanishing Point Ent. · Apr 25, 2009

Metz 311 vs. 310 Modules.

mudman said:
Can you really be sure of anything in life? I don't know. I do know that the voltage of my Metz SCA 300 series is below 8 volts, which even modern electronics in digital cameras can withstand. I'd think that a well built camera from the 80's should be able to handle it. I use my Metz flash with contacts for Contax/Yashica with Pentax and Nikon cameras. Haven't noticed any ill effects yet, and I don't think I will.

The Metz 311 Module, will work with your Canon A1.
It's meant for a Canon T90's TTL. Since your Canon
has less hot shoe pins, it will work the way you would expect. However, it's rarer & because it costed more
new,it will cost more used. If you plan on upgrading
to the T90, get the 311.

SCA flash adapter compatibility

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