Using Nikon speedlight with cold shoe?

[Moopheus]

I have a Nikon SB-24 speedlight, and I would like to be able to use it with a couple of older rangefinder cameras that only have cold shoes for flash, not a hot shoe. If I insert the flash in the shoe, it does not fire when the shutter is triggered. Off-camera, works fine, but on-camera, nothing. (Yes, with sync cord.) Is there a way to get them to work together, or am I going to have to get a different kind of flash?

[Brian Legge]

Initial thoughts, your cold shoe probably is making an electrical connection if it is metal.

You could try putting tape down on it to prevent the connection or buy a cold shoe adapter.

[BetterSense]

I use my SB-28 on several different cold shoes. I put down a layer of clear packing tape so that the contacts don't get shorted. I hook the flash up to the camera with a common PC sync cord.

[CGW]

Cruddy or busted camera-side sync terminal?

[Moopheus]

buy a cold shoe adapter.

Of course I did not know there was such a thing, but it seems obvious in retrospect. I may try the tape solution first, as it sounds cheaper. And, of course, I already have some!

[John_Nikon_F]

If the tape doesn't work, just get a hot shoe adapter and leave that attached to whichever camera you're using. Certain Nikon flashes won't work right on cold shoes, like the SB-16. Nikon recommended using a piece of electrical tape on the Nikomat accessory shoes with that flash.

-J

[Moopheus]

The clear packing tape worked perfectly for both cameras. Thanks!