Hack: Add a 1/8″ Mini-Phono Sync Port to your 5250 Vivitar flash.

Walt — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 05:21:15 +0000

Ever since David Hobby took up the cause for small strobes, via his website Strobist, there has been a huge surge in flash hacking. Adding sync ports seems to be one of the lesser completed modification yet this hack goes miles in usefulness in practice.

I’ve been using ultra-modern, cutting-edge tech, (circa 1992) Vivitar 5250 (RL Edition) and 5600. The 5250 is a great modern looking flash with nice throw and the modular 5600 is still a workhorse powerhouse in the field. Both use 4 AAs however I am in the process of DIYing a 6volt battery pack for the pair as well, more on that later.

The 5250/5600 use modular dedicated feet in place of selling various dedicated flashes. One non-dedicated flash system and 5 different feet for different camera setups. The large shape of these feet make those with less electronics prime for adding in a sync port. For those stuffed with PC boards, a 1/8″ dongle is the way to go. For those interested, the Olympus/Pentax foot module has the most room that I am aware of and thus make for the cleanest port install.

Let’s get started …

Step 0: Gather tools and buy items. You will need a mono 1/8″ mini-phone plug from Radio Shack. I paid 3.29 for two, VERY PRICEY, but it better than waiting on shipping. You will also need two short (~1.5 inch) lengths of wire. A soldering iron and electronics appropriate solder (rosin core). You will also need a very small #0 screw driver.

Step 1: Open up the foot module.

Step 2: Locate the proper pin sites and solder your leads.

Step 3: Drill the hole for the jack, and install the jack.

BE ADVISED THE FOLLOWING OPTIONAL INSTRUCTIONS WILL “NEUTER” THE TTL OPTIONS ON YOUR FLASH. IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT THIS MEANS YOU SHOULD GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT TO MOVING FORWARD.

Optional Steps:

Three Five Photography » Photography Hacks

Hack: Add a 1/8″ Mini-Phono Sync Port to your 5250 Vivitar flash.