Canon's 420EZ w/ 10D...

[dshootist]

just inherited a Canon 420EZ and am wondering what problems/shortfalls will arise when used with my 10D. i've heard a few things, but want to hear more. going to be shooting a wedding in the early afternoon to evening this weekend and would appreciate whether or not i should lug this thing on top of an already hefty chunk of metal. also, are there any workarounds should there be any easy-to-work-with issues.

a quick answer would be great!

[robertwgross]

dshootist wrote:
just inherited a Canon 420EZ and am wondering what problems/shortfalls will arise when used with my 10D. i've heard a few things, but want to hear more. going to be shooting a wedding in the early afternoon to evening this weekend and would appreciate whether or not i should lug this thing on top of an already hefty chunk of metal. also, are there any workarounds should there be any easy-to-work-with issues.

a quick answer would be great!

A quick answer: You might want to check on the model number of that Canon flash unit. The rest is in the manual.

---Bob Gross---

[scottbergerphoto]

dshootist wrote:
just inherited a Canon 420EZ and am wondering what problems/shortfalls will arise when used with my 10D. i've heard a few things, but want to hear more. going to be shooting a wedding in the early afternoon to evening this weekend and would appreciate whether or not i should lug this thing on top of an already hefty chunk of metal. also, are there any workarounds should there be any easy-to-work-with issues.

a quick answer would be great!

The 420EZ is an older model Canon flash and is not E-TTL compatible. Only flashes from Canon that end in EX are E-TTL compatible. You can only use this flash with the 10D in manual flash mode if the 420EZ has one. The 420EX would be fine. See page 106 of the 10D Manual.

[Motorsports Photo]

EZ flashes are only good with film cameras. I found out the hard way.

Spend some $$ on an EX or just find an old flash and shoot it manual.

-Pete

[scottbergerphoto]

Motorsports Photo wrote:
EZ flashes are only good with film cameras. I found out the hard way.

Spend some $$ on an EX or just find an old flash and shoot it manual.

-Pete


There is another option then manual if you get a flash that has "auto" mode. This is available on third party flashes like Quantum, Vivitar, Metz, Sunpak and also on Nikon flashes. This can be a cheaper alternative (Sunpak, Vivatar)then a dedicated Canon flash. The flash is triggerred by a PC cord. In this mode the flash uses its own thyristor to regulate the flash by measuring the light reflected back from the subject. No balancing with ambient light by the camera automatically. No TTL or A-TTL. You can adjust the ratio of flash to background manually with flash exposure compensation on the flash.
Many professional photographers prefer this way of using flash. If you work from the same distance, and use the same f-stop for each shot you don't have to change the flash setting. I use it on my Quantum Q Flash T2D and it gives consistent results.
Just another option,
Scott