Promaster 7500DX

[ctribble]

I was looking at the Promaster 7500DX Flash Unit. I believe it compares to the Canon models but a lot cheaper. What are your thoughts and ideas on this?
here is the website here:

http://www.promaster.com/products/products.asp?CatID=150&CatSM=&SubCatID=3&CatName=Electronic%20Flash&SubCatName=Digital%20TTL%20&sm=sm2_1503&dir=&page=PROD&product=7500DX

Thanks

[Curtis N]

The Promaster 7500DX is a very nice and capable flash unit, with power similar to the 430EX Speedlite. A few things worthy of note:

Promaster had to redesign their E-TTL compatible flashes when Canon came out with E-TTL II. Versions made prior to this will work with E-TTL cameras like your 10D but not with E-TTL II cameras (1D Mk II, 20D and later models). So you could probably pickup a used older version quite cheaply, but understand that if you upgrade to a newer body, it won't work. If you buy a new unit today, make sure it's the updated version.

One feature notably lacking on the Promaster units is high speed sync (FP Flash). If you want to do wide aperture shots outdoors during the day, it's not the flash for you.

The Promaster 7500DX has a built-in optical slave, which the Canon Speedlites don't have. This can come in handy for off-camera use. However, I have not been able to make mine fire with a garden variety (non-E-TTL) hotshoe adapter. So as far as I know, it can't be used with a PC cord or radio slave system.

The secondary lamp on the front of the Promaster unit has little value in my opinion and tends to create redeye issues. It can be turned off so it's not a detriment.

The Sigma EF-500 DG Super goes for about the same money, has high speed sync and a built-in optical slave, works with generic hotshoe adapters, and does not have the compatibility issues mentioned above.

[SBCmetroguy]

Bringing this thread back up, does anyone know if any changes have been made to the 7500DX? Does it still not have a high-speed sync mode? I was getting ready to spend $200 on one for use while I have my 430EX repaired, but now I'm not sure. If I can't use it for outdoor portraits on a bright, sunny day then it's worthless to me.

Thanks for any help!

[SBCmetroguy]

Surely someone knows the answer to this.

[LightUser]

I have two of them and use them with a Rebel XT..they are great EXCEPT they take spells of not communicating with the camera..they still go off but images are underexposed..the only way around this is to take it off the hot shoe and put it back on..Promaster admits to the problem but they will not fix it as a fix is not in the works...it is a great flash when it work...it fails about 3 out of 11 or 12 times...so I will use them only when a speedlight fails..I have the Promaster 5950 I used for film and it has never failed..I love it to death.

[Curtis N]

No mention of high speed sync with any model on Promaster's website.
But if you think you can't survive without it, then there's probably some concept you don't correctly understand. Sure, it's nice to be able to open the aperture. But you can make nice portraits at f/8, too.

[SBCmetroguy]

No mention of high speed sync with any model on Promaster's website.
But if you think you can't survive without it, then there's probably some concept you don't correctly understand. Sure, it's nice to be able to open the aperture. But you can make nice portraits at f/8, too.

Quite possibly, but as of late I've become very dependent on the flash for fill. For the longest time I avoided flash, thinking I would totally ruin my shots with it... until I started trying it more and more, and then I fell in love with it. Now I don't want to be without it, but since right now I can't afford a new flash and I really don't want a flash that I can't use with fast shutter speeds, I guess I need to experiment with natural light again. My indoor, low-light shots are going to be ruined, however.

Edit: Curtis, did I completely miss the point of your post? I hope not, but now that I've re-read your post I think I might have.

[Curtis N]

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear.

I don't mean go without flash. I mean go without high speed sync.
Just regular old flash at 1/200, even outdoors.

[SBCmetroguy]

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear.

I don't mean go without flash. I mean go without high speed sync.
Just regular old flash at 1/200, even outdoors.

Funny you should post this. Right before I saw your reply I added an edit to my post!!

Thank you, Curtis... in fact, I was so stuck in my ways that I totally didn't even consider this. I think I will be pretty happy with the Promaster afterall, now that you've put it this way.