how to connect a metz 45ct-4 flash to a cannon eos 350d/400d camera

willbur

hi every one ., can any one help , i have 25 year old metz 45ct-4 still works with my nikon film slr, would like to use it with the digital cannon eos 350d and 400d camera any ideas please , , ps wont be back at my laptop till 10pm , thanks again ,

Pete67

Be very careful, most older flashguns use a high trigger voltage which can cause damage to digital cameras.

Even if this is OK (unlikely) you will be limited to manual flash only - eTTL metering will not work.

If the Metz gun has a slave mode, you could use the DSLRs inbuilt flash to trigger the Metz without mounting it on the camera - just hand hold it above and to one side of the camera.

dubtom

You could possible need a dedicated lead for the flash to work with the canon, called a SCA adapter and lead, if your flash is a sca model. Should be plenty of info online concerning it. I have used an old Hanimex with a sync lead on a 20D and 60D but using manual settings,basically changing settings until I get the shot, It never occurred to me it might damage the camera.:o

Dan Jaman

I've just bought a Metz 45 CT-4 for Canon and Pentax use. The trigger voltage presented at the sync cord by the CT-4 is 25 to 30 Volts. Earlier digital canon models can't tolerate a voltage above 6V, but the situation eased with later models (from the 400D onwards, I think), but you need to check more carefully than just some bloke on the internet saying so.
To use this on my old 10D I'll have to use a Wein Safe-Sync or one of the Metz adapters, which apparently drop the voltage to a safe level for the Canon.
On my Pentax, reputedly the K10D will tolerate 30V, but I'd rather not take the chance and will be obtaining either a Safe-Sync or a Metz adapter anyway.
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html