Flash Compatibility

Both I and my daughter have ZX-M's (SLR manual focus). I also have a couple of flash units bought in the 1980's - a Toshiba 316 manual unit and a Vivitar 285. The triggering voltage on the Toshiba is 190 volts, have not measured it on the Vivitar yet. How much voltage is enough to damage the ZX-M electronics?

Hi,
This question keeps coming up and I don't think you will get a straight answer! There was a thread a week or so ago asking about the *istD and Vivitar flashguns. The manufacturer's will always tell you to use their guns (I suspect so they can't be done and to make more money). I think the general concensus is that it is probably OK to use a general purpose gun. As George said in the earlier thread, the independants would not stay in business if they fried the cameras!. The only thing to avoid is using dedicated guns on a different make ie don't use a Vivitar flashgun designed for say a Canon on a Pentax. If it were me, I would certainly try the Vivitar but at the end of the day it's your camera not mine.