Source for PC (Prontor Compur) Flash Sync Connectors

[Brendan Gillatt]

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Hello,
I am looking for a cheap source of PC (Prontor Compur) connectors,
commonly used to synchronise flash guns, in the UK.
I need both the male and female variant, in small quantities (1-5).
I've searched the usual places: Farnell, RS, Maplin & Rapid.
Thank you very much if you can help.

Regards,
Brendan Gillatt
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Brendan Gillatt | GPG Key: 0xBF6A0D94
brendan {a} brendangillatt (dot) co (dot) uk
http://www.brendangillatt.co.uk
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[Philip Pemberton-2]

Brendan Gillatt wrote:
> Hello,
> I am looking for a cheap source of PC (Prontor Compur) connectors,
> commonly used to synchronise flash guns, in the UK.
> I need both the male and female variant, in small quantities (1-5).
> I've searched the usual places: Farnell, RS, Maplin & Rapid.
> Thank you very much if you can help.

Your best bet might be to buy a couple of really cheap "pound shop" /
"dollar store" cameras, then gut them for the PC connector.
Alternatively, buy a couple of flash sync cables (an extension lead will
give you both connectors, adapters will give you one PC connector plus
"something else") and cut them in half. A bit of epoxy putty or
Polymorph should be enough to produce a suitable front-panel mount -- or
just glue the back of the connector to a piece of plastic and drill
suitable mounting holes (assuming the connectors are of the right-angle
variety).

Sources of the cables would be pro-photo shops -- Warehouse Express,
Calumet, Dale Photographic, somewhere like that.

Quite frankly though, the PC connector is quite possibly one of the
worst connectors ever designed (the Belling-Lee aerial plug is a close
second). I've lost count of the number of shots I've had ruined by a
sync cable coming loose at the last minute... If you have to use them,
make or buy an adapter cable to convert the PC plug to (say) a 3.5mm or
1/4-in jack plug, then use the jack plugs wherever possible. At least
the springs inside the sockets tend to stop them spontaneously
disconnecting...

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[Brendan Gillatt]

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Philip Pemberton wrote:

> Brendan Gillatt wrote:
>> Hello,
>> I am looking for a cheap source of PC (Prontor Compur) connectors,
>> commonly used to synchronise flash guns, in the UK.
>> I need both the male and female variant, in small quantities (1-5).
>> I've searched the usual places: Farnell, RS, Maplin & Rapid.
>> Thank you very much if you can help.
>
> Your best bet might be to buy a couple of really cheap "pound shop" /
> "dollar store" cameras, then gut them for the PC connector.
> Alternatively, buy a couple of flash sync cables (an extension lead will
> give you both connectors, adapters will give you one PC connector plus
> "something else") and cut them in half. A bit of epoxy putty or
> Polymorph should be enough to produce a suitable front-panel mount -- or
> just glue the back of the connector to a piece of plastic and drill
> suitable mounting holes (assuming the connectors are of the right-angle
> variety).
>
> Sources of the cables would be pro-photo shops -- Warehouse Express,
> Calumet, Dale Photographic, somewhere like that.
>
> Quite frankly though, the PC connector is quite possibly one of the
> worst connectors ever designed (the Belling-Lee aerial plug is a close
> second). I've lost count of the number of shots I've had ruined by a
> sync cable coming loose at the last minute... If you have to use them,
> make or buy an adapter cable to convert the PC plug to (say) a 3.5mm or
> 1/4-in jack plug, then use the jack plugs wherever possible. At least
> the springs inside the sockets tend to stop them spontaneously
> disconnecting...
>

Okay thanks for your help. I was hoping not to have to go down the route
of scavenging parts.

I agree with you that it is a ridiculous connector and if I could I would
use the hotshoe connection instead.

- --
Brendan Gillatt | GPG Key: 0xBF6A0D94
brendan {a} brendangillatt (dot) co (dot) uk
http://www.brendangillatt.co.uk
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[Alan B. Pearce-2]

>I am looking for a cheap source of PC (Prontor Compur) connectors,
>commonly used to synchronise flash guns, in the UK.
>I need both the male and female variant, in small quantities (1-5).

I may possibly be able to help. I am currently clearing out the remnants of my fathers camera repair business, and there may be some of these in there.

I take it that you are looking to make some extension leads, seeing you want both male and female connectors?

What is your time scale, as this may take a while to sort out.

Alan

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[Brendan Gillatt]

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Pearce, AB, Alan (STFC,RAL,SSTD) wrote:

>> I am looking for a cheap source of PC (Prontor Compur) connectors,
>> commonly used to synchronise flash guns, in the UK.
>> I need both the male and female variant, in small quantities (1-5).
>
> I may possibly be able to help. I am currently clearing out the remnants of my fathers camera repair business, and there may be some of these in there.
>
> I take it that you are looking to make some extension leads, seeing you want both male and female connectors?
>
> What is your time scale, as this may take a while to sort out.
>
> Alan
>
>

Thank you very much for your offer, I'd happily take them off your hands!

No, I'm actually making a light meter that will both fire a flash and be
fired by a camera (I'm trying to make this as versatile as possible).

My time scale is weeks or months--I'm doing this as a project that I may
put on sale in kit form if there is interest--so don't go out of your way.

Thanks again if you can help,
Brendan

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Brendan Gillatt | GPG Key: 0xBF6A0D94
brendan {a} brendangillatt (dot) co (dot) uk
http://www.brendangillatt.co.uk
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[Alan B. Pearce-2]

>I am looking for a cheap source of PC (Prontor Compur) connectors,
>commonly used to synchronise flash guns, in the UK.

Brendan, I am now back in the UK, so drop me a postal address, and I'll send
you a packet of bits. Not sure how useful it will be to you, but they would
go in the bin otherwise.

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