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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon flash on a Canon
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03/30/2005 10:12:31 PM · #1
I have a Nikon Speedlight SB-20. I am about to get a Canon 350xl. Was wondering if it will work like normal, limited functionality or not at all? I am fairly flash retarded, so please help if you can.
03/30/2005 10:17:45 PM · #2
I will probably work. Most likely in the Manual and Auto modes. The flash and camera will not be able to communicate with each other though. You will lose all TTL metering and other things.

You might be better off just using the on-camera flash. Or you could buy a Canon flash. If you are willing to spend the money for the camera, why not just spend a little more on a flash?
03/30/2005 10:28:21 PM · #3
I'm pretty sure it will not work at all. The contacts are lined up differently.
03/30/2005 10:29:04 PM · #4
I was afraid of losing TTL. If that's the case, I may as well sell it and buy a Canon flash.

Thanks for the reply.
03/30/2005 10:33:24 PM · #5
I use a Nikon flash on an older Canon pro90 with marginal results. The flash does function but at full power only. Many of the older flash attachments use a very high trigger voltage, upwards of 200 volts, which can fry the camera flash trigger circuit on modern cameras. You can verify the trigger voltage by measuring the center terminal voltage with respect to the shoe flange. If it is over 15 volts don't use it on your new Canon!
03/30/2005 10:46:35 PM · #6
Interesting! Thanks folks, I appreciate the info. It looks like it would be best to find someone who could use it and get me a new(er) compatible flash.
03/31/2005 04:49:01 AM · #7
Hi-ho,

I dunno about an SB-20, but I used my Nikon SB-24 on the 20D for a few weeks until I got the 580ex..

You have to set 'Auto' mode on the flash, and set the camera to manual or Av mode.

Set the ISO and apeture on the camera & flash and shoot away.. (Shutter speed if in Manual on the camera) You'll also have to set the 'zoom' on the flash if it's the same as the SB-24 and has a zoom head...

This assuming the SB-20 has an 'A' mode like the SB-24 has.

Getting a canon flash with TTL metering (ETTL-II in the case of the 350) will give you much more consistent results, but if the SB-20 has an 'A' mode it'll do for a while..

Also, and possibly more important if you want to use it for fill-flash, the SB-20 will only work up to the sync speed on a non-canon camera, 1/250th on the 20D, and I think the same on the 350? This means you can't really use it in bright sunlight for fill flash without stopping down the camera quite a bit, which isn't ideal for portraits... Portraits being the most common reason to use fill flash.

And.. If the X-sync speed is OK for your fill requirements you'll have to manuall pick the ratio, by setting the flash to a wider (Smaller number) apeture than the camera AV or M setting.. This will make the flash less bright than the backlight/sunlight so it's not obviously a flash photo. I worked with 1-1.5 stops difference with the sb-24 & 20D pair, and got OK results..

With the 580ex (Or other canon dedicated ex series flash) for fill flash it just works. The camera figures out you want fill flash if you turn it on and there's lots of ambient light. High-speed sync means you can use fill flash at the faster shutter speeds, allowing wide apeture filled shots in full sunlight conditions. And you'll get more consistent results as the flash 'talks' to the camera..

As always, just my 2c worth...
03/31/2005 10:09:07 AM · #8
Wow, good info there. Thank you again.
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