In sci.electronics.basics BeeJ wrote:
I have two Nikon camera flash units that are old but working fine.
SB-24
SB-20

Need help with

1) flash shoe pinout functions?
i.e. how to trigger manually through the falsh shoe?

to fire the flash short the ground terminal of your hotshoe to the center
pin, or use the pc sync terminal if they have them. The SB-24 does have a
3 pin terminal for sure on the side.

2) how to open the units without damage to clean interior dust?

they're a real pain to to open and put back together again. It's not going
to be worth the effort. You said they work fine, leave them alone.

3) compatibility with Canon EOS Rebel series cameras?

no, if you just attach it to a canon.

i.e. will not damage either if attached/used?

no damage

will flash on camera shutter release. say in M or A mode?

This is questionable. With a plastic shim that insulates the other pins on
the flash, you'll be OK in manual modes.

will provide TTL capability?

no. Canon digital bodies don't speak old-day nikon flash language. Those
flashes won't work on most nikon digital camera either.

If not compatible with Canon, then I will do the math and use a
wireless radio trigger to trip.

just use a stupid pc sync cable, or get a hot shoe to pcsync cable. this
will bypass the nonsense pins that will not communicate between a century
old nikon flash and a canon body. If you're comfortable with guide numbers
fiddling with settings, they'll still work fine.

Speculations do not help.

I could not find newsgroups that are more specific. If you know of
any, please let me know.

Thanks!



manual for the sb-20

http://www.lensinc.net/manuals/Nikon_SB-20.pdf

Thanks for the info. I was able to clean without opening and the unts
are fully functional.

Is there a commercial shoe isolator that will provide the center
terminal only for connection? Or do I have to build one?

Any suggestions on wireless? Cowboy?