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02/24/2006 09:01:30 AM · #1 |
So I'm saving up to get a speedlite flash, but in the mean time I saw my mom(who used to do photography with this weird plastic thing called "film") has an old Vivitar 2800 external flash she's not using anymore.
She used to use it with an older Canon body, so I'm curious if I put it on my 20D? Will the 20D sync up with it if so? I'm assuming some communication occurs between the 20D and speedlite units that tell it to sync with the hotshoe flash. What might I run into as problems if I put the older flash unit on it? I'm wondering if the camera can still do the exposure and shutter speed right if I use Av mode?
thanks! |
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02/24/2006 09:49:27 AM · #2 |
| I think it'll work just not in E-TTL mode. You'll just have to do everything manually. |
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02/24/2006 09:58:52 AM · #3 |
| Another thing to be careful about is voltage. Make sure the flash is not using a high trigger voltage, or you'll fry your camera. |
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02/24/2006 01:09:23 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by cresus:
I think it'll work just not in E-TTL mode. You'll just have to do everything manually. |
Ok manually meaning it won't be able to correctly set the shutter speed right if I used Aperture priority? So how do I figure out what shutter speed to use? trial and error? Or everything at 250?
Thanks!
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02/24/2006 04:52:00 PM · #5 |
The 20D will not fire TTL-only flashes properly. If you are lucky, the flash will just always fire at full power (which can be pretty damn bright with old flashes). The thing to be really careful of is the hotshoe voltage... some older flashes really can fry the 20D with its low maximum safe trigger voltage. If in doubt, use a PC cord/hotshoe adapter to trigger the flash, the 20D has a much higher safe voltage on the PC socket.
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02/24/2006 04:53:55 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by colema19:
Originally posted by cresus:
I think it'll work just not in E-TTL mode. You'll just have to do everything manually. |
Ok manually meaning it won't be able to correctly set the shutter speed right if I used Aperture priority? So how do I figure out what shutter speed to use? trial and error? Or everything at 250?
Thanks! |
As for the shutter speed, your flash will always be very brief - if you are using the flash as your sole lightsource, it makes sense to set your shutterspeed to your x-sync speed, which is 1/250 on the 20D. If you want ambient light in the exposure as well, set the aperture to expose correctly for the flash, and change how much of the ambient light gets through by modifying the shutter speed.
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02/24/2006 06:09:03 PM · #7 |
I've used an old Vivitar 283 on a 20D before. Basically it has an auto eye that determines the exposure. go into manual, set the shutter speed to sync (or slower, to be safe or if youre dragging the shutter). then use the guide on the vivitar to see what ISO and aperture combination you should be at.
I find the auto eye more reliable than ETTL at times, especially in tricky situations. Another thing I like about it is that it can give very consistent results from shot to shot in a scene, so if it is wrong, you can adjust to taste fairly easily.
One thing you MUST be careful of is that the flash has a low voltage, anything with a higher than spec voltage will basically fry the innards of your digital camera. two ways around this: get a flash that's guaranteed ok on digital, or get a wein safesync, it takes the hit for you and can work with any flash
Max |
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02/24/2006 10:27:14 PM · #8 |
Ok thanks for the advice everyone. My tax refunds came in so I think I'll just get a speedlite instead. :)
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02/24/2006 10:58:08 PM · #9 |
| I have to recommend this every time someone's buying a flash...check out the Sigma EF 500 DG Super. |
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02/24/2006 11:15:33 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by cresus:
I have to recommend this every time someone's buying a flash...check out the Sigma EF 500 DG Super. |
The OP of the thread certainly didn't ask for flash recommendations... however, i would indeed second the 500DG Super. It's extremely versatile, and the extra money makes it worth a dozen vivitars from the 80s.
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