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12/14/2005 06:38:26 AM · #1 |
Hi,
I want to get a cheap flashgun (probably on ebay) to play about with on my 350D. The flashguns that canon say are compatible are the EX range of speedlights (which cost the earth).
Will other flashes actually work, such as the Cobra 440AF for example (Lots of Cobra Flashguns about on Ebay in the UK)?
If so, what will I lose out on by not having full E-TTL functionality?
What do you guys use? Any help or comments will be appreciated!
AL. |
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12/14/2005 07:18:25 AM · #2 |
I use a sigma EF-500 DG ST which works very well and has TTL feature.
see here. |
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12/14/2005 08:20:49 AM · #3 |
Sheesh - Even that Sigma is £120!
I was looking for a cheap (Used from Ebay) flash to play with that was compatible with the 350D (E-TTL)!
Guess I'll have to save the pennies for a new item then... |
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12/14/2005 01:39:14 PM · #4 |
This is a little cheaper.
edit: you might want to ask the buyer if it supports E-ttl rather than ttl.. Not sure about the wording in there. the 220ex is E-ttl, and it says it's a substitute for the 220ex.....
Message edited by author 2005-12-14 13:41:06. |
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12/14/2005 01:45:59 PM · #5 |
| Does the XT have flash exposure compensation? If so then you have more choice. If it doesn't then you may want to look at a flash that gives you this feature. |
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12/14/2005 02:23:35 PM · #6 |
There are several options...
with eTTL (NOT a-ttl the older EZ model canon flashes) the camera does the thinking and controls the flashgun. Just about point and shoot simplicity, with more bells and whistles if you need them.
The next is Auto mode - there are 2 variations, smart and dumb. My Metz 54 (don't ask the price) has a smart Auto mode - it can read the camera's settings and the flash does the thinking on how much light is enough. For some things (weddings with black tux/white dress) this works better than e-TTL (e-TTL2 is canon's fix). I am not as sure on how dumb Auto works, but many flashguns have this and it seems to work to an extent, but you the user must still think a lot.
A basic flash puts out X amount of light (GN number). You set the camera on ISO 100 and shutter of 1/125 or 1/200 and use the distance form you to the subject and the GN number to pic an aperture. Take a step closer or farther away and you ahve to adjust the aperture. You zoom on your lens will effect the ap setting, as will a myriad of other little things (black/dark subjects need more light than white/light ones, etc). If you bounce the flash off a wall or ceiling or add a diffuser then you have to take test shots as calcultions no longer work.
with eTTL you point and shoot and the exposure is right 95% of the time.
If it is consistently too dark or bright for your tastes, then you use flash exposure compensation to adjust.
One last thing to watch for - some older flashes have too high a voltage for modern camera and can destroy the camera's electonics.
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12/15/2005 03:52:41 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
One last thing to watch for - some older flashes have too high a voltage for modern camera and can destroy the camera's electonics. |
Thanks Prof Fate,
I have read about this too, so must be careful!
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12/15/2005 03:54:09 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
Does the XT have flash exposure compensation? If so then you have more choice. If it doesn't then you may want to look at a flash that gives you this feature. |
Yes it does... I have played with this using the onboard flash where the result is too bright. Works quite well too! |
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