My reasoning for thinking this flash voltage stuff is mainly mythology:
The in camera circuit component which will fire the flash will most likely be an SCR which will be rated to at least 250v, more likely 400v (they are not available rated lower than this). The other option would be a transistor which would probably be fine in excess of 30v despite the 6v, 12v, etc. warnings. The actual cost of fitting an SCR or a transistor would be just about the same so there is no advantage in fitting the lower voltage rated transistor in terms of profit on the sale price of the camera.
The camera designers are not idiots and would understand totally the difference between a transistor and an SCR as I have outlined above.
This leaves two scenarios:
1. They designed in a transistor because they were told to.
2. They designed in an SCR because they knew it would be the better, more robust option.
If scenario 1 were true then the fact that they were told to fit an inferior component against their better judgement is outrageous.
If scenario 2 were true then there is some mis-information being put about. Also outrageous.
The only way of knowing the truth is to get one of the alleged 6v only cameras (a broken one) and pull it apart to see what is connected to the flash contacts. Any volunteers?!!!
Steve.
The in camera circuit component which will fire the flash will most likely be an SCR which will be rated to at least 250v, more likely 400v (they are not available rated lower than this). The other option would be a transistor which would probably be fine in excess of 30v despite the 6v, 12v, etc. warnings. The actual cost of fitting an SCR or a transistor would be just about the same so there is no advantage in fitting the lower voltage rated transistor in terms of profit on the sale price of the camera.
The camera designers are not idiots and would understand totally the difference between a transistor and an SCR as I have outlined above.
This leaves two scenarios:
1. They designed in a transistor because they were told to.
2. They designed in an SCR because they knew it would be the better, more robust option.
If scenario 1 were true then the fact that they were told to fit an inferior component against their better judgement is outrageous.
If scenario 2 were true then there is some mis-information being put about. Also outrageous.
The only way of knowing the truth is to get one of the alleged 6v only cameras (a broken one) and pull it apart to see what is connected to the flash contacts. Any volunteers?!!!
Steve.