SpeedLite 300TL and Rebel XTi Problems.

[MSIGuy]

I am trying to use a Canon SpeedLite 300TL on my XTi, but can't seem to get it to work, can someone let me know if for some reason the two aren't comparable or if I have to be in a certain mode to use them? I've tried under full manual, full auto, P, everything, and I can't get the flash to trigger.

Am I missing something obvious?

EDIT: It works fine on my dad's D60...

EDIT2: I found this....

The 300TL is not compatible with the flash metering systems on EOS digital cameras (assuming that's what you want to use it on).
Is that correct?

[Curtis N]

They aren't compatible.

For your XTi, you need an EX series Canon Speedlite, or an aftermarket unit that is E-TTL compatible.

More info here:
http://photonotes.org/lookup

[MSIGuy]

Bummer... Thanks for the quick reply though! Looks like I'll have to buy a flash rather than borrow one.

[MSIGuy]

Come to think of it though, why was it working on my dad's D60?

[Curtis N]

It's a dedicated flash. The camera does the metering and tells the flash when to turn off. Digital cameras use a completely different system than their film predecessors. More info in The EOS Flash Bible (link in my sig).

[PacAce]

Come to think of it though, why was it working on my dad's D60?

The 300TL does have a limited Manual mode. It can fire at full power or 1/16 power in manual mode. Maybe that's how it was being used on the D60.