Working the Bronica ETR like it's 1982

[Steve Smith]

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.

 

[filmamigo]

Just thought I'd mention that I shoot almost 100% of my sessions / jobs with a Bronica ETRS, 75mm 2.8 lens, 120 back, and a handheld light meter. And that's it. No fill flash, almost never change lenses, no winders, no gizmos, no reflectors or other modifiers, nada. Oh, and a roll of Scotch tape. lol.

You only need what you need. Some people need more gear to suit their chosen methods than others; as long as it works for you, you're fine.

- CJ

Thanks for the perspective Cheryl. I love your work, it really backs up what you are saying.

 

[haplo602]

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.

I do not know the exact details, but I had a Nikon F100 with a metz 36-af3N flash. everything worked fine. however when I tried to install the flash on a D300s, the camera played all sorts of wierd stuff. also I got my hands on a Sakar flash with only the center contact and my F100 was in same trouble as the D300s, metering modes switched at random, display went on and off, viewfinder displayed weird things.

So from personal experience, there is more to the hotshoe contacts than just the trigger contact.

neither camera took any damage, but it was enough to keep me cautios about flash compatibility.

 

[Steve Smith]

neither camera took any damage, but it was enough to keep me cautios about flash compatibility.

That's a reasonable cautious approach to take but I don't recall any worries or scare stories (true or otherwise) before digital arrived.

It was just assumed that you plugged the flash into the camera and got on with it.


Steve.