will a TTL flash work on digital

[saxk]

i have searched everywhere and cant find an answer.

i want a flash to play with, i dont have alot of money so cant afford a E-TTL one yet and not sure if i even need it.

i have found a few nice modern looking TTL flash guns, but not sure if they will work on digital camera, in auto.

any input would be greatly appreciated

thanks

brad

[m3rdpwr]

Might I suggest you list your camera and flash make and model?

-Mario

[PacAce]

TTL flashes that rely on metering the light reflecting off the film for the exposure is not going to work with digital cameras. The only flashes that will work with the Canon digital EOS cameras in "auto" mode are the EX series flashes and compatible after-market flashes.

Of course, flashes that have a self-contained auto mode will work, too, but the shutter speed and ISO of both the camera and the flash will need to be set manually so that both match.

[saxk]

sorry i have a 400d

flash i was looking at is a sunpak 5000 af

but it looks like it wont work.

so only canon flashes work in auto in canon cameras, bit of a jip ?

[msowsun]

No, many 3rd party flashes will work with Canon Digital SLR's. Some are full ETTL.

There are 3 common ways to use a flash with a DSLR.

1) manual mode
2) auto thyristor control (self-contained auto mode )
3) ETTL

I believe that the Sunpak PZ5000 has both manual control and auto thyristor, so you CAN use it with your 400D.

[saxk]

ahh ok thanks.

is manual much more fuss than auto.

i really jsut want it for some bounce for portrait stuff and a cord for macro.

as you can tell im new to all this i dont really expect alot from it, would manual suite my needs ?

[msowsun]

Manual mode is defiantly more fussy than ETTL. You have to adjust the power output until you get the exposure you want. It works much better in a studio setting where your camera and subject are not moving around much.

In your case I would look for an ETTL flash. Sunpak makes a few ETTL flashes as well so just keep shopping around until you find one with the features and price you like.

http://www.sunpak.jp/english/products/pz42x/index.html

http://www.sunpak.jp/english/products/pz42x/img/photo.jpg

[saxk]

ok thanks again, think im best of jsut saving for a while then.

[msowsun]

Don't wait. There are lots of cheap 3rd party ETTL flashes out there. Here is one for only 48 GBP delivered to your door.....

http://cgi.ebay.ca/PRO-ETTL-II-Flash-for-Canon-EOS-Digital-Rebel-XT-350D_W0QQitemZ220284989826QQihZ012QQcategoryZ48515 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or only 35 GBP....

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ETTL-Flash-For-Canon-EOS-Digital-Rebel-XT-XTi-350D-400D_W0QQitemZ360090955163QQihZ023QQcategoryZ48515 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Add a 3rd party OC-E3 for 19 GBP and you are good to go!

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Brand-New-Off-Camera-ETTL-Cord-for-Canon-1Ds-50D-40D_W0QQitemZ120307627142QQihZ002QQcategoryZ64354Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[saxk]

i saw those but that have nothing on the back, no settings etc.

not that id know what to do with them

so a cheap E-ttl is better than a good TTL in practicality terms anyway ?

[saxk]

that first one, the bower looks rather nice tho :D

[msowsun]

You don't need anything on the back of an ETTL flash. Everything is done for you. Even with an expensive Canon 580EX II, most people just shoot it in ETTL. The only really useful thing that I would miss is Flash Exposure Compensation. (FEC)

If you want complete manual control, that is a totally different subject, and I think you will get different opinions on that. It also matters a lot on what you intend to do with the flash.

I think the low-cost ETTL is a great option. You can always sell it later when you decide to upgrade.

A used 380EX or 420EX are 2 other low cost options.

[msowsun]

You may be able to set Flash Exposure Compensation with your camera on one of these simple ETTL flashes.

[Wilt]

Flashes that work in TTL or iTTL or ATTL are all NOT compatible with ETTL mode flash automation. You can used them with ETTL cameras, if the flash unit can be put into Manual power output or into a self contrained Auto mode (which uses a photosensor in the flash unit itself, rather than relying upon one in the camera)