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alan sh
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 12:57
I have just (today) purchased a 20d. I have the Sigma 18-125d lens.

I have an old canon-compatable (has the name Jessops 320 on it) flash gun. This works fine on a 300v and 3000 film camera. But the 20d does not recognise it.

Is this normal ? Or is my 20d dead in some way ?

thanks for any info

Alan
Cadwell
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 13:06
The 20D needs a Canon EX series speedlite or something compatible with that standard. I'm guessing that your old Jessops flash is an EZ series compatible or something like that.
alan sh
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 13:08
ahah. Someone with some knowledge. So, whats the difference between EX and EZ ? [or where to I go to find out ?]

Yes, the flashgun is old - I originally bought it for use with a Fuji 6900 (the canon mount was a co-incidence]

Alan
Cadwell
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 13:17
The gospel on EOS flash photography

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
scottbergerphoto
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 13:27
You need an EX series Canon flash or "Canon ETTL dedicated" flash from another vendor(Sigma, Quantum) to use ETTL. You always have the option of using Manual Flash or Automatic(thyristor controlled) Flash and a PC Cord with flashes from any vendor and non EX series Canon flashes.
Scott
alan sh
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 13:28
Sorry to be ignorant - what is 'manual flash' ? What settings do I need on my 20d ?
alan sh
15th of October 2004 (Fri), 13:38
OK - I set the 20d to 'm' mode. Set it to 1/60th at F3.5 and took a picture. The flash fired but the output was really weak. The flash gun didn't go 'pop' like it does on the 300v.

I guess I need a proper flash gun.....
alan sh
16th of October 2004 (Sat), 06:02
I just bought a 420EX - lets see how I get on.....
scottbergerphoto
16th of October 2004 (Sat), 07:49
Manual Flash Mode means you put the Flash on Manual Mode by setting that on the Flash. You adjust the power output of the flash on the flash. The camera can be in any mode be it M, Av, Tv, P etc.
Setting M on the camera puts the camera in Manual Mode and does nothing to the flash.
To use your flash in Manual Mode, you need to adjust your flash output and camera aperture using a Flash Meter.
I usually shoot flash with my camera in Manual Mode and my flash(es) in ETTL/II. I adjust the flash up/down with FEC(flash exposure compensation).
Scott
alan sh
16th of October 2004 (Sat), 09:21
Thanks for that. The old flash has no controls at all. It relies on the camera to tell it when to stop. Which the 20d cannot do because it doesn't see it.

So, I am going with a proper Canon one for safety..... The 420EX seems to do what I want and works fine with my Sigma 18-125.

Thanks for all the advice.

Alan