Flash for 35mm Canon Rebel Ti

[Msilushn]

I'm in my 4th semester of studying photography at a community college, and I'm starting to get requests to shoot weddings. My problem is that the only flash I have is the one built into my camera. My father has a Vivitar 2000 that he offered to give me, but I don't know if it will work with my camera (35mm Canon Rebel Ti). My second issue is that I want to go digital, and get either an EOS 10D or 20D. Can someone tell me A.) if the Vivitar 2000 will work with my camera, and B.) What would be a good flash choice since I want to get a 10D/20D Slr?

Thanks!

[mgash]

Don't get the sunpack 5000. It only works in Manual Mode.

[PacAce]

The Vivitar 2000 should work with you Rebel set to manual mode. You'll need to manually set the shutter speed to the sync speed or slower and the aperture to whatever the flash indicates you need, depending on which auto thyristor mode you use. Or, if you're not going to use the flash in auto mode, you'll need to determine the aperture based on the flash to subject distance (usually flashes like this will have a distance/aperture table printed on the back for reference).

If you are going to upgrade to a 10D or a 20D, you might be better off with a Canon EX-series flash (420EX and above) or a compatible one from one of the other manufacturers.

[Msilushn]

Thanks for the replies, it sounds like since it will work I ought to take it for now - and save my money for another Canon flash. Can any of these be used in program mode? I was thinking a 430ex could, is that right?

[PacAce]

Thanks for the replies, it sounds like since it will work I ought to take it for now - and save my money for another Canon flash. Can any of these be used in program mode? I was thinking a 430ex could, is that right?
If you are referring to the EX series flashes, yes they can be used in program mode.

430EX? Did you mean the 430EZ or perhaps the 420EX? I'm not familiar with the 430EX flash.

[Msilushn]

Yes, I meant the 430EZ. Sorry, I'm just really overwhelmed with all of this flash information I've been reading. I've gone over this document: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#eossystemflash many times since its the best I've found for explaining so far. I just want a flash that I'm not going to contiously be changing settings for.

[PacAce]

Yes, I meant the 430EZ. Sorry, I'm just really overwhelmed with all of this flash information I've been reading. I've gone over this document: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#eossystemflash many times since its the best I've found for explaining so far. I just want a flash that I'm not going to contiously be changing settings for.
Although the 430EZ may work in manual mode, it, unfortunately, will not work in ETTL mode for automatic flash photography.