Aftermarket flashes for S5is

[jack55]

I don't feel like paying Canons high prices for their flashes for my S5is.
Won't some aftermarket flashes work with my Canon?
$50 is a LOT better than paying $200+ :rolleyes:

[Jon]

Most non-dedicated hot shoe flashes will work with the S5, as long as you're willing to forego most automation, including all flash-camera interaction. I doubt you'll do much better than $100 for a dedicated non-Canon flash though, and you may find unexpected "gotchas" with the lower-priced ones of those.

[I_Pereira]

Be carefull with trigger voltages when looking for a flash, you may find this usefull

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

I have an old Suntax 115M flash, I used it a couple times in my S5 but luckily I came across with this subject and stoped using before it made any damage. When I mailed the manufacturer it confirmed the trigger voltage was way beyond acceptable for this cam. Now I only use it as an external flash, using the trigger button on the flash itself (dark room, 1" exposure, and manual triggering from the angle I want:cool:)

[jack55]

Be carefull with trigger voltages when looking for a flash, you may find this usefull

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

I have an old Suntax 115M flash, I used it a couple times in my S5 but luckily I came across with this subject and stoped using before it made any damage. When I mailed the manufacturer it confirmed the trigger voltage was way beyond acceptable for this cam. Now I only use it as an external flash, using the trigger button on the flash itself (dark room, 1" exposure, and manual triggering from the angle I want:cool:)
Good info, thanks. I think I'll go the slave route until I can afford the expensive canan flashes...

[jack55]

Most non-dedicated hot shoe flashes will work with the S5, as long as you're willing to forego most automation, including all flash-camera interaction. I doubt you'll do much better than $100 for a dedicated non-Canon flash though, and you may find unexpected "gotchas" with the lower-priced ones of those.
Some of these will work and they are all under $100
http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?storeId=10001&keyword=Quantaray&searchRefinement=true&identifier=flashes&gclid=CPCYrLyOhpACFQqZggodo3bwsw&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&N=4294967280+4294966687+4294967037+4&Ne=3

And this one is only $50:
Quantaray QB-6550D Bounce Flash for Digital AF or Manual
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/531660967.htm

[Jon]

Some of these will work and they are all under $100
http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?storeId=10001&keyword=Quantaray&searchRefinement=true&identifier=flashes&gclid=CPCYrLyOhpACFQqZggodo3bwsw&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&N=4294967280+4294966687+4294967037+4&Ne=3

And this one is only $50:
Quantaray QB-6550D Bounce Flash for Digital AF or Manual
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/531660967.htm
Quantaray, however, has something less than a stellar reputation for quality. Caveat Emptor.

[jack55]

Quantaray, however, has something less than a stellar reputation for quality. Caveat Emptor.
Isn't Quantaray owned by Sunpac?
Just curious...

[Jon]

Quantaray's Ritz Camera's house brand. The Quantaray label is slapped on items made to Ritz' specifications, possibly by Sunpak, Sigma, Tiffen, Tokina, . . . depending on who had capacity, capability and the low bid. Filters, for instance, are generally believed to be Tiffen-produced, as Canon filters are.

[jack55]

Quantaray's Ritz Camera's house brand. The Quantaray label is slapped on items made to Ritz' specifications, possibly by Sunpak, Sigma, Tiffen, Tokina, . . . depending on who had capacity, capability and the low bid. Filters, for instance, are generally believed to be Tiffen-produced, as Canon filters are.
Okay... thanks for the info.

[odin7]

I have an S5IS and an old 188A Speedlite. The 188A has a proper voltage as shown in the post mentioned above. The Speedlite is triggered by the S5IS, but I suspect it's a full power uncontrolled flash. What do I need to do to make some use of this Speedlite with S5IS? I'm not ready to make any more $$$ Canon investments yet. Thanks

[Jon]

Set the flash to Aper, set the ISO on the flash, then choose either the red or green zone. Set the camera to that aperture and a shutter speed within the X-sync range. That should give you a form of auto-flash. See, if you have it still, pp. 26-27 of the 188A manual.

[msowsun]

You could use an older 430ez or 540ez, but only in manual. These 2 units can be found on ebay much cheaper than the newer ex units.

These flashes have variable manual output so you just set your aperture, and then vary the flash power ( 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, etc) until you get the results you want. This is OK for static or controlled subjects, but will be challenging when conditions are constantly changing. Bouncing the flash off the ceiling will give great looking results and make for a more constant exposure.

A bonus is that the flash head will zoom to match your lens, and the flash coupling distance will be displayed as well. (not sure if this will work on an S5)

I used my 430ez this way with both my 10D and 40D before I got my 580ex II.