Old flashgun for new Canon Camera

[Andrew Bichard]

I have a new Canon G9 point & shoot camera, which is compatible with the current range of Canon flashguns.

I already own a Canon 300TL flashgun which I bought for my film camera, a T90. It isn't on the list of approved flashguns, possibly because it is no longer manufactured.

The flash has the same five contact pin arrangement as the G9, but it isn't on the list of approved flash guns.

I asked the Canon technical helpdesk if I could use my flashgun. They avoided giving a direct answer. No doubt, they would like to sell a new flash.

I could just try it and see, but I don't want to blow up the electronics in the G9.

Has anyone tried a 300TL on a G9?

Is there any danger of damaging the G9 if I try it out?

Andrew

 

[Experiment_626]

I doubt but do not know about any possibility of actual damage from the use of such a flash with your camera. I know that most, if not all, flashes designed for use with film SLRs either work only in full manual mode or not at all with digital SLRs. The reason is that these flashes were designed to work based on the reflectivity of film. The digital sensor in a new camera doesn't reflect the same way as film, so the flash would be confused. Therefore, the flash is largely or completely disabled. I don't know if the same situation applies with your equipment, but it wouldn't surprise me.

SSB

 

[bob100]

know for sure by searching
http://photography-on-the.net/forum
there's a list of what old Canon external flashes work with cameras

 

[klmall]

And Andrew, congrats on the G9! I got mine last spring (moved up from G5 which my son now uses) and took it out west this summer; got some great shots and from what I've read so far, haven't seen any reason to move up to the G10. I am getting ready to shoot entirely in raw.

Here's a link I use with my G9 - dpreview.com - for research and info:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1010

 

[Code]

Very old flashes have much higher trigger voltages than modern stuff and will fry newer digital cameras, but according to this page, the 300TL is safe. But as Experiment_626 said, it will only work in manual mode.