Sunpak dedicated modules question

xkaes · Jan 13, 2023

Perhaps I can find this out on-line somewhere, but perhaps someone on here already knows -- and perhaps some viewers would be interested.

I have a Sunpak Auto DX 12R Ring Light which, like several other Sunpak flashes has a removable flash shoe module to fit a wide variety of cameras.

Since I use Minolta gear, I have an STD-1D module for a universal one-contact hot shoe (or cold shoe with a PC cord), an MX-1D module with two contacts for Minolta XG cameras, and an MX-2D module with three contacts for Minolta cameras with TTL flash capability including the EARLY MAXXUM cameras.

However, none of these will work with the newer MAXXUM (and early SONY) cameras that have the FOUR pin contacts. In fact, I can only get the STD-1D module to work on these cameras -- with a ISO to iISO flash adapter.

Does anyone know if Sunpak made a module for the newer MAXXUM (and early SONY) cameras that have the FOUR pin contacts???? I can get along without it, but it would be nice if they did!!!

xkaes · Jan 13, 2023

I just discovered that they did -- the MX-1AF module. It is designed for the newer MAXXUM/SONY four contact iISO flash shoe -- and it adds focus assist, like the MAXXUM/SONY flashes.

There was one on EBAY, so I nabbed it.

xkaes · Jan 24, 2023

I've received my Sunpak MX-1AF module for my Sunpak Auto DX 12R Ring Light. It's NEW, in the box, and plugs in fine. It has the second generation of MAXXUM flash shoes -- so called, iISO shoe -- so it won't fit on my MAXXUM 7000 or 5. I first used it on my Konica Minolta A2, and it works fine. Just what you would expect a ring flash to do -- basically no shadow. Here is a sample shot -- Aperture priority mode on camera, and Auto-TTL mode on flash.

I next tried it on my Sony a850 -- with the same settings -- and end up with a strange magenta color.

I've tried the ring flash on another a850 with the same results. I've tried it in manual exposure mode with the same result. I've tried other flashes on the a850 and the results are perfectly normal. And since I have ANOTHER 12DXR ring flash, I tried that, and got the same results.

Any ideas on what may be causing this odd phenomenon?

xkaes · Jan 26, 2023

Any ideas on what may be causing this odd phenomenon?

xkaes · Jan 28, 2023

None?

Kino · Jan 28, 2023

Perhaps the voltage of the strobe trigger is too high for your Sony. Do you have or can get access to a Wien Safe-Sync Hot Shoe Adapter?

You may be on the verge of cooking your camera!

According to the webpage Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages : https://www.botzilla.com/page/strobeVolts.html

the Sunpack 522 can have up to a 190 volt trigger current.

xkaes · Jan 28, 2023

I've got a SAFE-SYNCH adapter but it converts an older ISO hot shoe flash (one, two, or three pin flash) for use on the newer Minolta/Sony iISO four-pin flash shoe. The SUNPAK 12R ring light flash that I have has the Minolta/Sony iISO four pin shoe, so I assume the flash will not cook the camera -- because it was designed with these iISO cameras in mind.

bdial · Jan 29, 2023

Have you looked at the Sony’s color balance settings?

Kino · Jan 29, 2023

xkaes said:
I've got a SAFE-SYNCH adapter but it converts an older ISO hot shoe flash (one, two, or three pin flash) for use on the newer Minolta/Sony iISO four-pin flash shoe. The SUNPAK 12R ring light flash that I have has the Minolta/Sony iISO four pin shoe, so I assume the flash will not cook the camera -- because it was designed with these iISO cameras in mind.

But it remains that the only constant is Sony camera not operating properly with this interface; it doesn't "like" something about these flashes and I'd be really leery of continuing to use them as such.

xkaes · Jan 29, 2023

bdial said:
Have you looked at the Sony’s color balance settings?

BOTH a850 cameras show the same pink results whether the camera is set for AUTO or FLASH color balance -- AND both cameras work fine with any other flash.

xkaes · Jan 29, 2023

Kino said:
But it remains that the only constant is Sony camera not operating properly with this interface; it doesn't "like" something about these flashes and I'd be really leery of continuing to use them as such.

Thanks, but the camera works fine with other flashes, and the flashes work fine with other cameras, so I'm looking for ideas on what's going on -- other than "don't use them together".

xkaes · Feb 26, 2023

I still have no idea why my Sunpak ring flashES (Auto DX12 R) creates pink results on my Sony a850 cameraS -- either in AWB or FLASH color mode. The ring flashes work fine on my Minolta A2 cameras in AWB or FLASH color mode.

Anyway, I've used the Sony in the CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE setup -- exposing a white card & saving the setting. It works fine, but I still have no idea why.

The SUNPAK Auto DX12 R appears to create electronic flash light with a pinkish tone with Sony a850 cameras -- but can be corrected with the CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE feature.

I guess, sometimes, ignorance is bliss after all.

Jude the Obscure · Feb 27, 2023

Kino said:
According to the webpage Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages : https://www.botzilla.com/page/strobeVolts.html

the Sunpack 522 can have up to a 190 volt trigger current.

The 522 is an ancient design, the DX12R is much newer by which time trigger voltages were being reduced. I have a DX12R and it measures 7.0 volts with the STD-1D module which has pass-through wiring, and some camera dedicated modules happen to reduce it even from that.

The botzilla website has not been updated for years, possible not even since the DX12R was made, although it does give 6.85 volts for a vague Sunpak "ringflash", but Sunpak have made many ring flash units over the years. Here is Sunpak on a more updated website : http://www.lucan.org.uk/Vintage/Hotshoes/volt_table.html#sunpak

xkaes said:
The SUNPAK 12R ring light flash that I have has the Minolta/Sony iISO four pin shoe

As you say, the module on the DX12R can be changed. But if you are using it with the Safesync that might be the problem, perhaps firing the flash a bit late or early so you are not getting the full whiteness as it is only warming up for example.

xkaes · Feb 27, 2023

I'm not using the Sunpak DX12R with a SAFESYNCH. I have the SUNPAK MX-1AF module/adapter for the four-pin iISO flash shoe of the later Minolta Maxxum cameras -- including my Minolta A2 cameras and my Sony a850 cameras.

With the A2 the color is fine with the DX12R -- or any other flash, for that matter. With the a850, the color is pink with the DX12R -- but not with any other flash. But using the CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE feature the color is corrected.

Like I said, makes no sense to me -- but problem solved by going in through the back door!

Sunpak dedicated modules question

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