Vivitar Flash with my 300D

[tony873004]

I have a Vivitar flash that I purchased 5 years ago for my Nikon film camera. It is a 836AFNi Auto-Focus Zoom Flash. It works with my Canon Digital Rebel, but it seems to fire at full brightness all the time, which completely washes out the picture. Also, the flash's ability to automatically adjust its focus based on my focal length doesn't work. Is this because I have a flash designed for a Nikon, or is this stuff universal, and I'm doing something wrong?

[PhotosGuy]

You may have another problem. According to this site,
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index2.html#trigger
The flash may not be in the right range for trigger voltage. It lists the Series 1-836AFC as "your call" as to being safe. I'm not why sure because the 300D should be OK with a voltage up to 5v. Your flash in the "series" may be different. Maybe some else can address this.

More general info here:
How to Check the Trigger Voltage
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/G1strobe.html
Flash Photography with Canon EOS Cameras - Part II.
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index2.html#trigger

[Ballen Photo]

I have a Vivitar flash that I purchased 5 years ago for my Nikon film camera. It is a 836AFNi Auto-Focus Zoom Flash. It works with my Canon Digital Rebel, but it seems to fire at full brightness all the time, which completely washes out the picture.

Hmm, Lets see, you want to use a Nikon dedicated flash on a Canon Digital Rebel?
OK, Assuming the trigger voltage is safe for your D Rebel, You're going to have to set both camera and flash(Assuming this flash has manual full power) to the manual mode, and you have to know the flash's gain to make this work. The way you control the gain is via manual f stops on the camera. Get John Hedecoe's "Photographers Handbook", or a like book, or even off the net, learn how to control your flash by using F stops and make a cheat sheet to carry with this combo.
Good luck,
Bruce

[scottbergerphoto]

In order for a flash to work in ETTL with a Canon camera, it has to be a Canon EX series flash or a 3rd party flash dedicated to Canon ETTL, like the Sigma 500 Super DG or a Quantum Q Flash with ETTL module. For any other kind of flash you are limited to Manual Flash or Auto Flash with a flash that has its own thyristor to control flash output. You also need to remember that the Canon Hot Shoe - PC circuit is limited to 6volts. Many third party flashes are much higher then this and require voltage protection, like a Wein Safe Sync. High voltage will fry your shutter over time. The excess voltage is converted to heat.
regards,
Scott

[Belmondo]

In the grand scheme of things, dedicated flash units are far from being the most expensive accessories in the photography arena. In light of the engineering that's built into modern cameras, it seems almost penny-wise/pound-foolish to try to save a few dollars by using a non-dedicated flash that:
a. does not take advantage of all the capabilities built into a modern flash metering system (E-TTL, etc.)
b. will possibly damage one's camera
c. distracts the photographer by giving him/her one more variable that impinges on the creative process.

IMHO, bite the bullet and buy the 420EX or 550EX, or find one of the discontinued EX units that show up used from time to time. There are other areas where it's possible to save money that don't so directly impact the EOS photographic experience.

Tom