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...

-- 
Phil.
piclist@philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/
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