^ Have you scanned http://www.gphoto.org/ ? AGSC ^ On 2006-Sep 05, at 04:50hrs AM, Russell McMahon wrote: At some unknown future date I hope to attempt to decode the protocol used by the top family of Minolta flashes which are used by the two Minolta digital SLRs (5D, 7D) and the preceding family of prosumer cameras (7, 7i, 7Hi, A1, A2, A200) plus the later Maxxum/Dynax film cameras. These flashes include the 2500(D) 3600(HS)D 5600(HS)D Same language is spoken by two macro ring flashes. There are a few 3rd party flashes which also do this. All share the common feature of being far far far more expensive than one would expect for their capabilities. Also, the top flashes get dearer with flash capacity rather than with features. Other non compliant flashes of similar overall capabilities cost far less. While I think this project may have commercial worth, it would be a satisfying project in its own right if time was available. Publishing the spec would make one several powerful enemies and many many individually less powerful friends. Obviously some 3rd parties have done this and they now sell flashes using the information. There is a significant after market for such flashes and all the new Sony Alpha cameras can use them. What I envisaged was an adaptor that talked the talk and allowed much simpler cheaper "thyristor" flashes to implement the core functions. While the 3600/5600 do a number of things that would take some effort to emulate, many users would be everlastingly grateful for an adaptor at a moderate price which simply allowed them to use a basic external flash on a 5D/7D/Alpha and get normal results. Users are currently held to ransom by this lack of capability. If anyone is interested in the *possibility* of cooperating on such a project in future please advise. Whether it ever happens is to be seen. Russell -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AGSC Augustus Gustavius Salvatore Calabrese 4337 Raleigh Street Denver, CO 720 222 1309 303 908 7716 cell adding " spam2006 " bypasses my spam blocker. Please place in the text or at the END of the subject line. ( i am hard to reach by phone ) All ideas, text, drawings and audio , that are originated by me, and included with this signature text are to be deemed to be released to the public domain as of the date of this communication . AGSC ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist