Re: [Leica] Flash Cord Thread

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

The mechanical flash circuits are not damaged by the higher sync voltage of
older flash units. Certainly the higher voltage may require the points be
cleaned sooner than with a lower sync voltage but the lower sync voltage
will stop working with only slightly corroded contacts. It probably comes
out even in the end. The TTL cameras, which have electronic switching for
the flash, can be damaged by the older high sync voltage flashes. An M4-2
has two separate flash circuits for the pc socket and the hot shoe. You
could easily use a hot shoe adapter with a pc terminal and then use the
other set of switching points (and another five years MTBF).

> From: Henry Ambrose <digphoto@telalink.net>
> 
>> My M42, in the years I have had it has been averaging around one service
>> visit every five years, only this time it is earlier than normal.  While
>> shooting a flash job with the camera awhile back, I damaged the X synch
>> connection with with the new paramount cord that I use.
>> 
>> So the renowned DAG will be working over the camera.  Have any of you had
>> problem with Paramount cords causing a problem with your M leica?  I use the
>> old but yet reliable 285 and 283 vivitar flash units.
> 
> Its not the cords.
> If your flash puts out more than 5 volts it will damage the sync contacts
> in the camera. Older flash units in particular are trouble. I suggest you
> use a "Safe Sync" when you're using any flash that you are not absoultely
> sure puts less than 5 volts into the sync circuitry.
> 
> Henry