Canon Flash v Nikon Flash Question

[Mum2J&M]

I've often wondered why often times Nikon gets better reviews for their flash units than Canon. Is it because there is more integrated into the Nikon bodies? I have no gear at the moment, so this is a non-bias thread. ;)

[40Dude6aedyk]

Are you telling me that the reviews don't tell you why the Nikon is better? Or have you not read the reviews and you are asking us to read the reviews for you and tell you why? Just curious.

[Mike McCusker]

Are you telling me that the reviews don't tell you why the Nikon is better? Or have you not read the reviews and you are asking us to read the reviews for you and tell you why? Just curious.

Sounds like she is merely asking our opinions as to why Nikon seems to get better reviews, and from her question it I would assume she HAS read them.

[Mum2J&M]

What Mike said. ^^^

[viet]

Nikon has a good foundation of cameras to build its flashes on, that's one reason I could think of as to why it's better.

Canon was fairly green in this area pre-digital, and only recently excels at making better camera bodies in respect to iso, and other technologies. Their built-in metering system still sucks regardless of the fancy names. With a solid metering system, it's easier for the flash to crank out the correct output.

[40Dude6aedyk]

More features. Better value. Better evaluative flash system as expressed directly in the reviews.

[Titus213]

I think one of the main items is the Nikon ability to control a remote flash from the body without adding a transmitter. As I understand it this function is not available on all Nikon DSLR bodies.

[PacAce]

Another very useful feature on the Nikon camera with a built-in flash (other than on the D40) is the ability to use the built-in flash in manual mode. This allows it to trigger an optically slaved strobe or flash without needing to resort to sync cables or relatively expensive wireless RF units or having the preflash prematurely fire the slave. Nikon even sells an IR shield which can be placed in front of the built-in flash so that the flash does not contribute any lighting to the picture is so desired.

[FlyingPhotog]

Nikon has a good foundation of cameras to build its flashes on, that's one reason I could think of as to why it's better.

Canon was fairly green in this area pre-digital, and only recently excels at making better camera bodies in respect to iso, and other technologies. Their built-in metering system still sucks regardless of the fancy names. With a solid metering system, it's easier for the flash to crank out the correct output.

It's funny you would say this because my Canon T90 (manual focus film body .. for those who may not know) married to its dedicated Speedlight and the old TTL or A-TTL was totally foolproof.

I don't think I got a klunker using fill flash but maybe one in 1000 images.

[Lotto]

I read some Nikon user posts in other forums, and seeing the the same complaints: wireless control doesn't work in bright outdoors, inconsistent flash metering, even the same 'my lens front focus and I have to exchange 10 copies to get the right one ':) Most of those subjects are users related.

[tkbslc]

The biggest problem with Canon is that you have to spend big bucks to go full ETTL off camera. You need either a transmitter or the highest end flash. Nikon adds off camera features to more low end flashes and cameras to make it easier and cheaper. I don't think it honestly works better, though.

Canon needs to rethink this and start adding wireless master control to the pop up flash and all speedlites, not just the 5xx series.

[PacAce]

The biggest problem with Canon is that you have to spend big bucks to go full ETTL off camera. You need either a transmitter or the highest end flash. Nikon adds off camera features to more low end flashes and cameras to make it easier and cheaper. I don't think it honestly works better, though.

Canon needs to rethink this and start adding wireless master control to the pop up flash and all speedlites, not just the 5xx series.
If you're referring to ETTL, then I agree. I think Canon's ETTL works just as well as Nikon's iTTL.

Canon does needs to upgrade the ST-E2 to the ST-E3, though, and give it manual mode capabilities along with the ability to control the different groups independently of each other, for example, the ability to work Group A in ETTL mode, and Group B and C in manual mode.

But the one thing I like about the Canon wireless flash system is the ability to specify ratio very easily and relative to the overall exposure. With the Nikon system, you have to specify the group output levels independently and work out the group ratio yourself.