Vivitar Ring as Primary Light?

[rbuttrum]

I just bought a second hand Vivitar 6000 AFC Ring Flash to do small product photography with my Canon 20D.

I am suprised because it seems to behave as a fill flash only, the camera settings don't recognize the presence of the Ring Flash as it it does with the 420EX. I expect this in Av mode but not in P or * modes.
This seems to preclude hand holding in low light.

Have I got this hooked up right? Are things as they should be?

Appreciate any thoughts.
Ralph

[Bruce Watson]

Hi Ralph,

The Vivitar will work with camera in manual mode only, it is not ETTl-2 compatible.

Check the EOS flash sticky for some info on this.

I am just around the corner (so to speak) from you, if you need the auto functions, I have a Sigma ring flash that is Canon auto compatible, send me a PM.

[rbuttrum]

Thanks for the offer Bruce.
I'm going to try and get the results I want with this unit first. It is advertised as TTL compatible with Canon and seems to work well, but only as a fill flash, not a primary flash wherein lies my puzzlement.
Did you enjoy todays snowfall?
Ralph

[scottbergerphoto]

There are many versions of TTL (ETTL, ETTL2, ATTL, TTL).Only ETTL and ETTL2 compatible units like Canon's EX Series will work in modes other then Manual. Your TTL unit will only work in Manual on a Canon digital camera.
Scott

[Bruce Watson]

Thanks for the offer Bruce.
I'm going to try and get the results I want with this unit first. It is advertised as TTL compatible with Canon and seems to work well, but only as a fill flash, not a primary flash wherein lies my puzzlement.
Did you enjoy todays snowfall?
Ralph

As Scott has pointed out, the current crop (pun intended!) of digital EOS cameras require an ETTL or ETTL-2 compatible flash to work on auto.

For the weather, well I was able to walk down to the LCBO and stock up on nice Aussie reds, so let old man winter have his last fling............

Seriously, if you need the loan of my Sigma, I am in Perth on business regularly. As a matter of fact, one of my stores on Gore St. is under renovations, so I was there several times last week with my white hard hat on............plus my Mom lives at PCC.