Non-Canon Flashes

[Digital Prophet]

So this weekend I was out at my favorite camera haunt in Houston (Camera Co-Op) and I was looking at flashes. And I was look at a 550. And there was a huge Vivitar sitting right next to it. Now my plan is to use whatever flash I buy off the camera on a bracket. But the question I had to ask myself, and now all of you, is:

Can you use a non-Canon flash on a 300D or 20D?

Maybe a simple question to some of the more experienced shooters, but for a schmuch like me that is still on that camera store high it is a daunting query.

- Digital Prophet -

[Eric DeCastro]

yes you can.
sigma 500 super
promaster dx7500 (not on a 20D just the 300D and 10D)
sunpak PZ5000AF

there are other brands you can use, but won't have ttl or auto. it will just be triggered buy the canon.

[nosquare2003]

Having got both Metz and Canon flash, I'd prefer to use a Metz on a 300D (ETTL camera). It's easier for me to get consistent flash exposure with my Metz 54MZ3. Well, it also has auto, ETTL (and TTL), manual modes...

I suppose that the choice will be different for a ETTL II camera...

[Eric DeCastro]

Having got both Metz and Canon flash, I'd prefer to use a Metz on a 300D (ETTL camera). It's easier for me to get consistent flash exposure with my Metz 54MZ3. Well, it also has auto, ETTL (and TTL), manual modes...

I suppose that the choice will be different for a ETTL II camera...
forgot about this flash too. excellent flash.

[vcutag]

yes you can.
sigma 500 super
promaster dx7500 (not on a 20D just the 300D and 10D)
sunpak PZ5000AF

there are other brands you can use, but won't have ttl or auto. it will just be triggered buy the canon.

For someone just getting started trying to learn the black magic that is proper flash usage, would the Sigma EF500 be a good place to start? My price ceiling is right around $200. I'm selling my iPod for this, so I hope it'll be worth it...

[Eric DeCastro]

yes the 500 super is a great flash. it is almost identical to the 550EX

[Digital Prophet]

Actually I was thinking about flashes (maybe older ones) that were not specifically designed to be used with the Canon hotshoe. I guess what I am thinking is a flash that uses a PC chord. Can something like that be used with a 20D or a 300D and a bracket?

- Digital Prophet -

[DaveG]

Actually I was thinking about flashes (maybe older ones) that were not specifically designed to be used with the Canon hotshoe. I guess what I am thinking is a flash that uses a PC chord. Can something like that be used with a 20D or a 300D and a bracket?

- Digital Prophet -

Look hard at the Vivitar 283/285. They are inexpensive, tought and reliable. You won't get any TTL out of them but a glance at your histogram will tell you to open up or close down.

[ootsk]

as usual, you will check to be sure the flash synch voltage is less that 6 volts, right?