Could I use an old vivitar 3900 flash with my brand new GF1

malabrosse · #1 July 28th, 2010, 08:31 PM

I just got the GF1. Just in time for the marriage celebration of a nephew. Using my old vivitar 3900 would be great for this occasion but is it possible? I certainly do not want to damage my brand new GF1!

G1 User · #2 July 28th, 2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malabrosse

I just got the GF1. Just in time for the marriage celebration of a nephew. Using my old vivitar 3900 would be great for this occasion but is it possible? I certainly do not want to damage my brand new GF1!

Don't risk it and get a Wein Safe-sync hotshoe to hotshoe, then you can use any older flash, hotshoe or corded....about $50.00 I think...

bilzmale · #3 July 29th, 2010, 12:29 AM

Good advice - flashes for digital typically have a trigger voltage of around 6 volts. Older (film) flashes may be 100s of volts.

This site has lots of info. It lists the Vivitar 3900 at 9.9V but also says the G series use 6V.

malabrosse · #4 July 29th, 2010, 03:19 PM

Hi

Thanks for the reply. Maybe I will use the Wein Safe-sync solution... Do you know if there is a way to connect the EFV over it? It looks like the signal for the screen is going through the connector on the side not through the flash shoes.

bilzmale · #5 July 29th, 2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malabrosse

Do you know if there is a way to connect the EFV over it? It looks like the signal for the screen is going through the connector on the side not through the flash shoes.

I doubt it - the hotshoe provides mechanical stability for the EVF. Any home made adapter would look and be rather clumsy imho. The evf connector seems to be a proprietry pin - probably unobtainable after market except as a mic connector.