non canon flash units

[gordonw]

I have a Vivitar 728afc flash with all the correct connections for dedication. Yet it only fires on every other shot.
I also tried an EZ flash unit from Canon and that done the same thing, I guess there is no option but to get an EX flash unit, UNLESS someone out there knows better.
Has anyone had the same problem as me?
Does your third party flash unit fire on every secong shot?

[skipwilliams]

Look here for the best info http://www.botzilla.com/photo/G1links.html.

Notes:

- No manufacturer supports perfect E-TTL operations with the Canon G2 right now. You're stuck with Canon flashes for E-TTL.

- Many non-Canon flashes have excessive trigger voltages and may damage the G2's electronics. You have been warned. The link above has TV's for many flashes. Personally, I wouldn't try it, but I'm a bit shy. ;-)

Skip

[gordonw]

Cheers Skip,
I am familiar with the trigger voltage scene.
You may have noticed that I placed another message saying that the camera had bad pixel problems over the weekend and autofocus problems too, the camera has gone back to the shop.
Anyway, thanks for the reply and a Happy New Year to you and your family

Gordon

[warren]

...very nice unit, works beautifully with the G2. flash head zooming, E-TTL and bounce/swivel shots work very well.

EXCEPT:

(1) no rear curtain sync (G2 won't trigger this even though the 420ex supports this feature. DOH)

(2) fastest flash sync speed is 1/250sec. wish there was a faster option.

(3) pretty expensive for what you get (at least in terms of the G2 only supporting some of its in=built features! but then i guess it's an investment for future (canon) cameras that will take advantage of all its features.)

(4) a bit bulky but then i guess most external strobes are. smaller and lighter and half the price of the 550ex, but that has manual controls so you *can* use rear curtain sync etc.

[lc-dc]

This is just an FYI.

I have a Nikon SLR system and my speedlight (SB25) works very nicely with the G2. The photo shop where I purchased the camera said that this is due to the built in light sensor on the SB25.

The speedlight is set to the "A" mode and the G2 must be set to shoot in manual "M" mode. On the G2 I usualy have the shutter at 1/60 or 1/125 and the f-stop to 2.8. The key is to set the speedlight to the same f-stop and ISO as the camera. This way the flash will fire at the correct intensity. You don't have to use f2.8 as you are able to go up to f11 on the speedlight and you can also use this as a way of compensating your exposure.

If you have a Nikon speedlight with the built in light sensor (I think SB24-28) and a G2 this is a great alternative to buying a Canon flash.

Cheers.

Livius

[AndyCr]

I have just bought the Vivitar 728AFC and all seemed fine till I pressed the 'Test' buttun, just above the connector at the base of the back of the flash unit.

Now all it seems to fire is the weak 'test' flashes...obviously the pictures are far too dark. :(

The camera doesn't seem to operate properly when in Auto or P mode (a Canon G2) always hugely over exposing as the shutter speed stays on about 1/8. (This was before the problem I have just encountered above)

Anyone know what I can do to get it to work again?

[lc-dc]

For starters you can't use a non Canon(eTTL) flash correctly with the G2 in A or P mode. Simply because the camera can't communicate with the non Canon flash to automatically set parameters. You have to go semi-auto in Tv or full Manual with a max shutter speed of 1/125.

The only data that non Canon flashes receive from the camera (G2) is a flash trigger signal. The Nikon flashes happen to have a built in light meter. So if you tell the flash (as described in the above posts) what the camera is set to, you get pretty nice flash exposures.

I don't know if you Vivitar has a built in light meter or not. Check your documentation. If it does, you can follow the same type of procedure as described in the previous posts.

For the problems you're having, maybe you put your flash in some kind of a mode. Don't know.

Good luck.

Livius

[AndyCr]

Thanks for your help.

The camera doesn't seem to even acknowledge the flash is even there now. I have tried in all combinations of modes and settings, but I can't even get the little flash symbol on in the LCD display of the camera... :(

Maybe I should just send this one back.

So, would you recommend the Nikon Speedlight as an alternative? I see one of the proper Canon flash's is £270, I don't really want to spend that much, I just want to avoid the overexposure of people close to the camera when it flash's. The Vivitar seemed ideal at only £30...

Any other good 'budget' options?

Thanks.

[lc-dc]

Well, I hope you didn't damage the camera's hot shoe. Might be something to look into.

If you are going to get a new flash you might as well get one of the appropriate Canon eTTL's. If you don't want to spend that much, I would recommend the Nikon sb-25 or 26 as an alternative. You might find them pretty cheap on ebay and they are very feature robust. Even if you don't have a Nikon.

Regards,

Livius

[jm1105]

I use my G2 with the trusty and powerful Vivitar 285 in manual mode.
If auto everything is what you are looking for, then go for the canon ones.

I usually set the dial for 2nd most powerful level, check what my aperature should be for 1/60th. set that on my camera. If the dial calls for an aperature higher than f/8 then I increase the shutter speed of my camera to either 1/125th or 1/250th. I usually shoot in 100 ISO or 50 ISO.
My pictures have turned out beautifully.
I have even used the flash outside as a "fill" flash during a mountain bike race in the bush.

best yet - I get to use one flash for all my cameras that I bring with me (Minolta and Canon).
keep on firing

[jurijs]

Anyone know how to use optical slave of SIGMA EF-500 with G2?


Thanks

[Mark Bennett]

Hi AndyCr

I noticed you quoted a price in pounds which implies your also in the UK.

I finally had to get a flash for my G2 and was discovering the same issues. I ended up with the 420ex and I bought it from B and H Photo in NYC and had it shipped over.

Saved and bundle too and no custom charges either.

Spotted the Micro Drive 1gig model at Jessops today and it's £279, where as you can buy in the US for 225US$. Big difference.

Mark

[AndyCr]

I've ended up just getting a 420EX too, was quite expensive though, got it from Jacobs in the West End.

So did you order yours online? If so, please supply a link.
Thanks :)