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12/25/2005 11:55:26 PM · #1
I have a Canon 20D and an older external flash, which I know the voltage is way too high for use with the 20D's hotshoe. My question is, if I use a cable to connect the flash to my camera, will it still cause damage or will I be safe?
12/25/2005 11:58:16 PM · #2
instead of frying your camera through the hotshoe, you'll fry it through the pc cord.

Get a wein safe sync, or a different flash.

Max
12/25/2005 11:59:30 PM · #3
I'm planning on getting a new flash soon, but the 20D was a christmas present from my parents. I already had the flash, but wasn't sure if I would still end up killing my camera or not. Thanks for the quick reply!
12/25/2005 11:59:49 PM · #4
Originally posted by PShizzy:

instead of frying your camera through the hotshoe, you'll fry it through the pc cord.

Get a wein safe sync, or a different flash.

Max


What Max said. You're in mortal danger here. You can completely toast your camera in the twinkling of an eye. It ain't worth it. Get a modern unit.

R.
12/26/2005 12:21:14 AM · #5
Originally posted by bear_music:

Originally posted by PShizzy:

instead of frying your camera through the hotshoe, you'll fry it through the pc cord.

Get a wein safe sync, or a different flash.

Max


What Max said. You're in mortal danger here. You can completely toast your camera in the twinkling of an eye. It ain't worth it. Get a modern unit.

R.

or a safe sync.
12/26/2005 12:25:49 AM · #6
What do you guys suggest in new flashes? I'm a first quarter photography major, so I definatly want something that is good and will last. I was looking at the 420ex and the 550ex, but a buddy of mine mentioned one made by sigma. I think it was a 500 something, but I don't remember.
12/26/2005 12:26:49 AM · #7
Sigma EF500DG Super.
12/26/2005 01:25:59 AM · #8
Originally posted by coryxmorton:

What do you guys suggest in new flashes? I'm a first quarter photography major, so I definatly want something that is good and will last. I was looking at the 420ex and the 550ex, but a buddy of mine mentioned one made by sigma. I think it was a 500 something, but I don't remember.


I'd get the 430EX rather than the 420EX; it can be used as a slave if you ever get a more powerful unit. I have the 430 and it's proven to be plenty powerful enough for me. I much prefer to use OEM for flash units, but that's just me...

R.
12/26/2005 01:33:50 AM · #9
The 420 (and possible the 430) cannot be used in Manual mode. This may have limitations if the flash is every used to fire other strobes, as it will pre-flash.
12/26/2005 01:53:22 AM · #10
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

The 420 (and possible the 430) cannot be used in Manual mode. This may have limitations if the flash is every used to fire other strobes, as it will pre-flash.


430EX has full manual mode.

R.
12/26/2005 09:09:41 AM · #11
I'm trying to decide between the 550ex and the sigma EF500DG super right now myself... the 550ex is so nice, and VERY small and light... but the EF500DG does almost everything the 550ex does, and at half the price...
12/26/2005 11:05:20 AM · #12
Originally posted by coryxmorton:

What do you guys suggest in new flashes? I'm a first quarter photography major, so I definatly want something that is good and will last. I was looking at the 420ex and the 550ex, but a buddy of mine mentioned one made by sigma. I think it was a 500 something, but I don't remember.


Budget?
12/26/2005 11:16:45 AM · #13
Originally posted by riot:

I'm trying to decide between the 550ex and the sigma EF500DG super right now myself... the 550ex is so nice, and VERY small and light... but the EF500DG does almost everything the 550ex does, and at half the price...


I am wondering the same thing. Just how much difference in performance is there?
12/26/2005 02:01:30 PM · #14
Theres some good information on photo.net and fred miranda in the forums/user reviews doing comparisons etc.

I also found this article very interesting comparing the different canon flashes.

//www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/ex_speedlites.html

... and

//photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

Message edited by author 2005-12-26 14:05:01.
12/26/2005 02:18:32 PM · #15
remeber to keep that old over powered flash to mount on an optical slave shoe as a fill or hair light.

I like my DGSuper, but it has been in for service once already, they are no where near as stout as the 550ex, but at half the price I would probably do the same thing again. The performance is remarkably similar as far as features, but in a bigger more delicate, and less intuitively laid out package.

PS the ominsoft is a must with either of these flashes.
12/28/2005 03:27:25 AM · #16
I would definitely reccomend something that is both compatible with your camera's TTL mode (in this case, ETTL2) as well as offering full manual controls.

ETTL2 offers the flash a way to "view" the scene and expose properly for it. While it may work well enough for most people, I am not a fan of it. It still gets tricked at times, and can provide different results for what you may perceive as exactly the same situation (that is, if you shoot 2 frames consecutively, you may notice 2 wholly different exposures)

Manual mode is what it sounds like, you manually control the light output of the flash. This can be clunky, but under the right circumstances can be very powerful.

the 580ex is canons flagship flash. It's smaller than the 550, recycles faster, sets the flash zoom head to the proper length while taking into account the crop factor of the camera, and allows manual control in third stops. It's also very expensive.

the 550ex was canons flagship. no longer. It's fairly big compared to the 580, it's recycle times are slower, it does not adjust the zoom on the flashhead to the proper focal length when taking crop factor into account, and it only allows manual control in full stops. But it's fairly cheap if bought used.

Sigma makes an ettl compatible flash, the super 500 I believe. I know nothing of it, but my friends who have it say its a lot like the 550, only cheaper (even when the 550 is bought used vs a new Sigma).

Hope I've helped.

Max
12/28/2005 03:37:05 AM · #17
For the reasons outlined by PShizzy I skipped the 550 and went with a (used) Metz 54MZ4 - got i for $300 with a lightsphere 2 and the canon shoe.
It has a killer auto mode, and does the manual thing in 1/3 stops and understands sensor size/zoom.

just another option.
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