[Manic78]

The title kind of says it.

Basically I've been asked to help a friend who is doing a charity fashion show.

I have no flash gun, only onboard flash which isn't going to cover the distance.

Now, as happens to me all too often, I have no time to sort through ebay as I need this for Wednesday.

Now, here's the problem.....

I need to find one.... Quick..... and cheap as humanly possible.

Also any advice on shooting this kind of thing? Models on catwalk in smallish room / pub. (It is a charity thing!)

Thanks in advance

[leaky5]

I think the main problem is going to be the Sony hotshoe. I recently picked up a Sunpak PZ40 (nikon electronics) with standard shoe and a Sony to Standard hotshoe adaptor.

It only works in manual, but it only takes a few shots to get the correct settings. I paid £30 for the flash and here I think might be your biggest problem, the adaptor was only a few £ but from HK.

I also realised as I typed this I have a spare adaptor, it might even be one with the circuitry that allows you to use older flash guns with higher trigger voltages. I can't check at the moment as Ebay seems to be down. if it does not have the circuity, then you would need a newer digital compatable flash, hopefully I can check Ebay later on and let you know.

If you want this, PM me your address and I will send it over. You will then need to try and get hold of a standard hotshoe flash, it will need to be able to be operated manually and ideally have adjustable power.

Edit.

It does say it has circuity to protect the camera, but I have no way of proving that it works. You would have to accept the risk if it was used with an older flash gun. Here is the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170260041516

[lads2000]

I have a similar dilema. I would love to get a flash for my A200.
I have looked at the sony ones and even the old minolta versions which all seem very expensive

I'm a little confused how these work and what the protection thingy is for and how it all works. Would somebody please help by explaining it in 5 year old terms please

Lads

[leaky5]

Older flash guns can transmit a high voltage back through the hotshoe and into the camera, which for digital cameras can cause a problem. modern digital compatible flashes transmit a much smaller voltage. The adapter I listed says it has circuitry to protect the camera.

If you are looking for an old Minolta one you need to look for ones that have HSD in the name.
Dyxum lists them, for example.
http://www.dyxum.com/flashes/detail.asp?IDFlash=176

[Manic78]

Leaky, thanks for the offer and the help.

I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and trundle to Jessops tomorrow as I probably need to pick it then so I can have a play and try and get used to it!

Thanks again.