Flash for Ancient Canonet

I have an old Canonet. They used to use a flash called Canolite D. I don’t have that item anymore. I was going to purchase an alternate flash unit, if I can find something that’s compatible but I don’t know what to use. Apparently the camera has some automatic features available with the original flash and I’d like to use those if possible. Maybe that’s not possible.

I would mostly use this camera for impromptu events, parties etc.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Michael

 

Welcome to the forum, Michael. I have 2 of these cameras, I do not have or use flash on them. May I suggest you contact Old Film Bloke. He is very knowledgeable on old film gear, has his own Youtube channel , Peter Elgar. It may be worth a try.

 

Ok will do. Thanks.

By the way, what do you use for batteries for yours? I guess they don’t make those mercury batteries anymore.

 

You can get replacements for the batteries but they cost more and do not last as long.

 

Well I found a brand new Canolite D flash. It flashes. But there are problems.

Supposedly when you use that flash the meter needle shows you the aperture that the camera is going to set itself too. That’s a function of distance.

Sometimes you can see the aperture changing as you move the focus ring. That’s expected.

But sometimes the needle doesn’t doesn’t move in response to the focus ring. It’s almost like the camera doesn’t see the flash sometimes.

All batteries are new.

Any idea what is wrong?

Thanks.

 

Would like to advise you of something that I learned this week about the batteries which you mentioned.

They do run out fairly quickly. However, I found one important reason why mine ran out within mere days.

There are three guide numbers that you can use for non-Canon flashes. If you use one of the guide numbers and leave it on one of those settings, even if you put the lens cap on, you’ll notice that the meter continues to work to show the correct shooting distance for that guide number. They even mention in the camera instructions that this is a definite battery killer.

So the lesson is to leave the camera on “A” whenever you’re not using it. Sure, the batteries will still be short-lived because of their chemistry, but the guide numbers exacerbate the drainage.

I’ve actually experienced this rapid battery drain because I have a Vivitar flash and I keep leaving the camera on one of those guide numbers when storing the camera.

Just thought you might want to know.

Michael