DIGITAL SLR & FLASHGUNS

[THE BEAST]

Hi I am looking for a flashgun for my 300D but don't use it enough to warrant buying a canon EX flash.

People tell me that only the EX range will work but i am getting confused because i know 2 people 1 has a 10D & says his cobra 700af dedicated flash works with it & another person who has a D30 who has a sigma flash that works so what the heck is going on , Does anyone really know the answer. HELP !!!!!

Thanks in advance.

Willie

[robertwgross]

Willie, the answer is that there are many, but not all, flash units that will function on the 300D. However, most of those would not be good choices.

Obviously, the Canon EX flash units are fully compatible. Some offer more features, and some offer fewer.

There are a few non-Canon flash units that will allow E-TTL operation, but most non-Canon flash units will only allow you to use manual flash operation. That means, you have to either calculate or guess the settings. In contrast, E-TTL tends to do more things completely automatically (even though it is not perfect).

If you have chosen the 300D as a camera, then that already makes a statement. I would suggest to purchase a flash that is fully compatible with E-TTL and no other.

If you need some long range light, then get a flash unit with the larger Guide Number. If you don't need long range, then a unit with a moderate Guide Number should be adequate. The Guide Number of the internal flash is small, so its effective range is quite limited, even with ISO maxed high.

Some non-Canon flash units have a high trigger voltage, and if you use those on your 300D, then you stand a very good chance of frapping the 300D's innards. The Canon EX series will all have low trigger voltages of 5 or 6 volts, which is what the 300D tolerates.

---Bob Gross---

[Jim_T]

There are a limited number of flashes that will work with EOS cameras.

The EX line is made for EOS cameras. ( 220EX, 430EX and 550EX ). The 220EX is a budget flash that's brigher than the built-in flash, but it isn't as bright as the other EX models and it doesn't have a swivel head. There is a discontinued 380EX, but they are getting very hard to find.

There are two third-party flashes that work as well. One is the Sigma EF-500 and the other is the Metz 54MZ-3. There may be more, but I know of no others.

These flashes are more than just a bright bulb.

They actually communicate with the camera. There is a motor driven reflector behind the bulb that moves in and out as you zoom the lens. This concentrates the light at the proper angle and makes sure the scene gets maximum light. They also take their metering info from the camera itself so they now how bright the flash has to be. These flashes also have a focus assist beam that shines a pattern on your subject allowing rapid autofocus in low light.

A lot of non EOS flashes will flash when you trip the shutter, but they will fire at full power. This will leave you to set the exposure manually on every flash shot you take.

[scottbergerphoto]

If you can find a third party flash that uses an AUTO mode, in which the flash has its own thyristor to control flash output. You adjust the flash output via the Aperture setting on the camera and staying within the distance indicated on the flash. Many photographers find more consistent results with this mode of shooting then ETTL or TTL.
Scott