380 EX

[PeterHB]

I am thinking of getting Canon Speedlite 380EX for my G3. Does anybody have experience with this flash?

PHB

[dgoodfellow]

It will probably only work in manual mode. Fireing at full power. I have used a 420 EX and that is how it worked.

I am now using a 380 EZ and it works in auto mode.

only the EZ series work with the ETTL light metering on the digital cameras, the EX flashes work with the TTL metering on the older EOS cameras.

[roncor]

dgoodfellow,

I think you have it a bit backwards. The EZ series is the older flash that do not handle ETTL. The EX series has the ETTL capabilities which is what the Canon G3 can use. The 380EX should work fine with the G3.

[rangersvtsplash]

so you saying the 420ex only works in manual setting on the camera? i thought it would work on all setting?

luis

[RajaBhat]

Hi all,

I have a G3 with 380EX combination. You get full E-TTL auto flash exposure with the combo. Works very well. But I'd recommend the new 420EX because of its swivel capability and the ability to use the new remote trigger mechanism using infra red/wireless I forget which mechanism it uses.

Regarding manual: If you set the G3 to the M mode, then the 380EX fires at one of several power ratio settings you can choose on the camera, full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 (and 1/16?). But with the on camera flash you only have full, 2/3, and 1/3 flash power. No E-TTL metering of flash is used.

Raja

[dgoodfellow]

your right. my mistake I got the EX and EZ mixed up.

[dgoodfellow]

I'm using the 380 EX and it works fine in all modes so far. My 420 EZ is the one that only works in manual mode. The only thing I don't like about the 380 is that it doesn't swivel just bounce up. Doesn't work well when I hold the camera for vertical compositions. I guess I need to get the off camera cable to point it in the right direction or splurge for a 420 or 540 EX.

[Scylla]

Hi, I bought a used 380EX a few days ago and have found it makes a huge difference to the quality of the pictures I take with my G5. If funds allowed I would have bought a 420EX, but I'm still very happy with this one.

If you can get it at a good price, I'd say definitely go for it.

[xuxu1]

I bought the G5 about 2 weeks ago and since already having a 380EX that i use(d) with my Canon Rebel 2000 (EOS 300 in Europe) there was no need to fetch a externel flash.

To my delight i noticed that the 380EX works very well on the G5.

[EpHeSuS]

Just make sure you get the latest Firmware update for the G3. It fixes some compatibility problems with the 380ex

[toonv]

Does your G5 use the 380EX's AF assist light instead of the internal one?