2026-05-19 Braun F34R Flash

The Flash

This Braun F34R flash came with an unrelated camera outfit. It is unusual because it also came with a charger. At least I assume the two are related, as both the flash and charger are labelled as F34R.

The Power Supply

Battery Compartment

The problem comes in that the charger is supposed to put out 6-VDC. The flash has a compartment for two AA cells. Since they are 1.5 VDC each, feeding the batteries 6-VDC would be a very bad idea.

AC/B Switch

Then there is the matter the flash has an on/off switch that moves from an “AC” (in red) position—that also blocks the two-pin AC connector with a small piece of plastic—to a “B” (also in red). I am so confused…
I was trying to convince myself the AC 6-VDC power supply was to charge two Ni-Cad AA batteries—maybe while the flash was powered by the power supply—so both processes were somehow splitting the 6-VDC.

Power Supply
Connection

Then I had the nightmare thought maybe what I was assuming was a jack on the flash that took the end of the power supply was maybe unrelated entirely to charging. What if it was for a sync cord or slave trigger?

Power Supply Jack

So I would be feeding 6-VDC into a flash firing circuit powered on its own. There could be high voltage snapping around just under the hood.

I tried plugging the flash in with no batteries in the compartment. I tried both switch positions. Nothing happened, so I tried switching the AC/B switch. Nothing. I tried my volt meter on every connection in the battery compartment with the power supply plugged in and couldn’t get a reading of even 1-VDC. Switching the AC/B switch with every possible combination of meter probes and again nothing.

   Finally I gave in and gave the flash two AA batteries. Switching to “B” the ready light eventually lit. Then the flash wouldn’t fire with the red button on the hot shoe. So I tried mounting the flash on the hotshoe of a Nikon. After several firings of the Nikon the flash fired. After removing the flash from the hotshoe I could get the flash to fire with its red button.
   So what we have here is a small two AA battery electronic flash that works fine with two alkaline AA batteries. Maybe I can find another use for the power supply…which puts out 7.57 VDC. I even tried testing the output voltage on that jack on the flash when it is charged. When charged the flash’s jack seems to have less than 1 V of AC present.
   Any idea what is happening? Anyone…
For those still reading, the F34R on its calculator has a guide number of 34 (feet) at ASA 25. The calculator dial has click stops at most of the popular film ratings from ASA 25-1600 and only has distances marked in feet.

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