older speedlite 177A Flash

[techmech]

I just aquired a Speedlite 177A flash unit, and am wonder if it work on my digital Rebel, any info would be greatful. Thanks in advance.

[slin100]

I have a 177A from my old days with a Canon A-1. The 177A is auto-thyristor (self-regulating) flash. Surprisingly, it will probably work on your Digital Rebel. You will have to manually set the aperture to match the aperture setting on the flash, but that's about it. If the exposure is a bit off, you can compensate by adjusting the aperture on the camera. For example, I have an old Promaster flash from the same era that I used to use on my 10D before I got a 550EX. Flash exposures tended to come out about 1 stop underexposed, so I just opened up the lens one stop and exposures were bang on.