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nicsim
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 08:37
Excuse the ignorance as I'm a newbie to digital photography :o - can I use a Canon EOS-dedicated flash gun on (say) a 20D? Or do digital SLR's need "digital flash" guns?
PacAce
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 08:39
Excuse the ignorance as I'm a newbie to digital photography :o - can I use a Canon EOS-dedicated flash gun on (say) a 20D? Or do digital SLR's need "digital flash" guns?
You can use any of the EX series flashes with the 20D.
Andy_T
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 09:27
... or the cheaper Sigma DG 500 Super.

There are also very few dedicated third-party flashes (think the Metz MZ54-3) that work on digital EOS cameras.

Most dedicated flashes for EOS film cameras (e.g. Canon EZ) use TTL metering (reflection of light from the actual film) which does not work on digital because a digital sensor has totally different reflective capabilities than film. So the EX series uses E-TTL that works on digital.

You could use a dedicated flash, however, in full manual mode (no metering by flash, you have to adjust the flash output)

Best regards,
Andy
robertwgross
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 10:29
So... when purchasing a flash unit, be careful with terms like "works with" versus "is completely compatible with." Some units will work, but only in a manual mode. Other units will work completely and compatibly in automatic modes.

---Bob Gross---
slin100
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 10:59
You can also use a self-regulating flash gun (i.e. auto-thyristor type). I have an old Promaster flash I used to use with my Canon A-1. It works fine on my 10D. Many people use Metz flashes in non-ETTL, auto mode, too.
robertwgross
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 18:04
You can also use a self-regulating flash gun (i.e. auto-thyristor type). I have an old Promaster flash I used to use with my Canon A-1. It works fine on my 10D.

Works fine, yes. But it is not compatible with the full capability of the digital camera, since you probably have to use Manual mode only.

---Bob Gross---
nicsim
27th of April 2005 (Wed), 04:45
Thanks for the info guys. For the record, I have a Cobra 440C - dedicated Flash.

Is it likely it will retain proper "dedication" on a 20D or will it be a case of manual only?