25/02: Flash sync voltages
So you want to use that old/cheap/whatever* flash you found in your attic/ebay/clearance bin at the local camera shop*? Great, but in these digital days, your camera's flash sync in probably electronic, rather than mechanical. Old mechanical circuits don't really care too much about the flash sync voltage (well, that's not strictly true, as you may end up getting sparking and electrical erosion if it's too high...), but your digital camera probably has lots of low voltage silicon chips in it, and stuffing a couple of hundred volts through it is probably not going to do it any good.
So, how do you know whether your old, dusty flash unit is safe? You could stick your tongue across** it like you used to do to check the voltage on 9v PP3 batteries, and if it kills you, then it's probably going to do the same to your camera. Alternatively, you could dig out a multimeter and test the voltage properly. But if you don't have a multimeter, and don't want to die, then check out the Strobe Trigger Voltage page that Kevin Bjorke has put together.
Unfortunately, it doesn't list my Hanimez TZ1. But it lists the TZ2 at 225 volts. And given the shock I got when messing with the sync lead whilst plugged into the charged TZ1, I'd imagine it's pretty similar.
Suppose I ought to stop plugging it into my Nikon D200*** then...
* Delete as appropriate.
** Don't try this at home. And if you do, don't blame me if it hurts, or you die.
*** And don't try this at home either. You'll void the warranty, possibly break the camera, and that's probably worse than dying.
So, how do you know whether your old, dusty flash unit is safe? You could stick your tongue across** it like you used to do to check the voltage on 9v PP3 batteries, and if it kills you, then it's probably going to do the same to your camera. Alternatively, you could dig out a multimeter and test the voltage properly. But if you don't have a multimeter, and don't want to die, then check out the Strobe Trigger Voltage page that Kevin Bjorke has put together.
Unfortunately, it doesn't list my Hanimez TZ1. But it lists the TZ2 at 225 volts. And given the shock I got when messing with the sync lead whilst plugged into the charged TZ1, I'd imagine it's pretty similar.
Suppose I ought to stop plugging it into my Nikon D200*** then...
* Delete as appropriate.
** Don't try this at home. And if you do, don't blame me if it hurts, or you die.
*** And don't try this at home either. You'll void the warranty, possibly break the camera, and that's probably worse than dying.
21/02: Incense Cone
This is the very first shot in a set done late one night after reading the Strobist Lighting 101 today. It's a set of shots that I've been meaning to do for a while now, but never managed to find the time. I didn't have time today either, but hey, who needs sleep really?
There's a whole series of similar (but different) shots from the rest of the shoot in my Flickr Smoke Set, or in the new Strobist Inspired section of the albums on here.
If you're a fellow Strobist, then check the photo on Flickr for details of the lighting setup.
