10D and Vivitar flash

[Vince_Z]

Hi All,
I finally got my 10D today. I have a Vivitar Series 1 flash (model 840AFC) that works with my Rebel 2000 and my girlfriend's EOS 3000. Now it doesn't fire with the 10D. I've tried setting the custom functions to no avail.

Am I missing something or is this just not going to work? Does anyone have any experience with 3rd party flashes on a 10D?

Thanks.
Vince

[teddynet]

Are you trying to use TTL, coz the 10D doesn't work in that mode, it has to be ETTL.

Try setting it to AUTO if your flash doesn't do ETTL, but check the trigger voltage too, it's not recommended to exceed 6 volts.

Rich.

[Vince_Z]

Thanks for the response. The flash has 3 settings: TTL, MH, and ML. The latter two are for manual high and low. Those don't work, either. Does this mean that I gotta buy a 420EX? :(.

[bluebomberx]

Canon digital cameras lack the ability to meter TTL flash. They require E-TTL flashes for automatic exposure. You have a few choices. You can learn to use manual flash or use an auto-thyristor flash. If you are seeking auto exposure from the camera, then you have to buy a Canon E-TTL flash, or Sigmas EF 500 DG Super/ST flashes.

To answer your question in a condensed form, yes, you need to buy a 420EX.