Flash Question

[joebas]

I have seen some posts where people say that a regular flash will give you better flash exposures than a Canon E-TTL flash. Why is this, and which non-Canon flash will work with the 300D/Rebel ?

Joe[/b]

[scottbergerphoto]

In Canon's ETTL, the CAMERA makes alot of decisions for you with regards to flash exposure based on its interpretation of light reflected off a subject after a camera directed Pre-flash. When you depress the shutter release all the way down, the flash fires a pre-flash, the light reflected off the subject is read by the camera meter and the camera tells the flash how much to fire when the shutter opens. There is no feedback on the actual flash. The camera has proprietary algorithms to determine the flash output. Some people feel that ETTL is inconsistent and are not happy with the results.
The two other options are : 1. using a flash with Manual settings: you set the flash unit to manual, set the power level and f stop using a Flash Meter. The flash is attached to the camera via a PC cord or hotshoe if compatible. 2. using a flash with its own Thyristor which shuts off the flash when it decides it has produced enough light based on a measurement of reflected light off the subject. This is known as Auto Flash. You set your f stop based on your distance from the subject and the flash takes care of the rest. In both these methods, the camera is only telling the flash when to fire. It doesn't control the amount of flash. Many pros like the consistency of manual or Auto flash.
If you go the third party flash route, make sure that you know the flash trigger voltage is less then 6 volts or use a Wein Safe Sync. Otherwise you could fry your shutter(very expensive).
There are various brands and prices of third party flashes: Sunpak, Vivitar, Quantum and others. Some third pary flashes are available with dedicated Canon Modules that allow you to use ETTL as well. Before you toss ETTL, try to get to know it. You can find alot of information here: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
Good Luck,
Scott

[robertwgross]

With some cameras and flashes, you can only use it in one mode of operation, like Auto, or maybe Manual.

Granted, a big one like a 550EX is expensive, but it will do Manual, or E-TTL, as well as some advanced modes that we touched on the other day. Multi-flash is kind of cute, but not terribly useful for standard wedding photos.

---Bob Gross---