Fotomatic 500AZ

[thegrump]

I just picked up a flash from the local OP shop, Still sealed in box. As I do not have an external flash and the built in is limited, Is this flash any good.

[ameerat42]

Let's hope it's got the instruction and specifications manual. ($9.95 on-line.)
How are you going to fire it? Do you have a PC plug on your camera? If so,
are the voltages the same for camera and flash? You may have to trigger it
with a slave unit. I read it's about 1980 vintage.

[thegrump]

am .. It is a hot shoe and it does have a manual

[ameerat42]

Same. Camera hotshoe/flash voltage...

[thegrump]

what should I be looking for

[ameerat42]

Trigger voltages for flash and camera. I'd say to be sure you don't fry your (from all reports)
lower camera voltages with the (traditionally higher) ones from the flash, use a flash slave/trigger
unit.

[thegrump]

am ... how does that work. If it uses the inbuilt flash to trigger the second flash, how do you compensate / dispense with the built in flash.

[ameerat42]

You do not use the flash by triggering it (ie, directly) from the camera. You would do it remotely.

This is the 1st article I found: http://improvephotography.com/10126/what-is-slave-mode-on-a-flash/

[thegrump]

It appears that the voltage of the flash is 6v and the camera battery is 7.5v. or is there some other element that I am not aware of. I read that article yesterday, it is a little boggling.

[ameerat42]

The trigger voltage required at the hot shoe (and attendant circuitry) might be less than 6V and
may cause damage. I don't know where you'd find the that voltage figure.