What Canon Speedlights need!

[Jannie]

I went nuts when I read this, all I could do is repeat Yes, Yes, Yes as I read on and on, and then had to add my own frustrations to the contribute part of the blog. This gentleman Syl says it so clearly.

http://pixsylated.com/2009/07/syl-arena-canon-speedlite-wishlist/#comment-3360

[Muskydave22]

wow I totally agree with 90% of that because the other 10% was too techy for me. :) But I would love to see radio ettl built in, although it would put a huge dent in PW and Radiopopper sales, and the filter holder would be cool too.

Dave

[strobe monkey]

I totally agree!!! Specially with number 11.
Or if Canon won’t then they must upgrade their (vintage) IR to Radio systems.

The menus at the back of the flash also must be changed to actual words rather than just numbers

[Jannie]

Is there a reason a third party cannot design a better flash for Canon that fully functions with the Canon cameras perfectly, is there some secret code or something the doesn't allow it. If Canon and Nikon are going to stay in the dark ages with the infra red thing, it seems to make sense that one company could make units that are identical for Canon or Nikon in their operation but individual in that they work for either or brand of camera. Maybe it's too big a gamble but if these speedlights could offer every thing Syl asked for and make them the same price plus additional for the built in radios, would people really buy it.

I understand the smaller, less expensive speedlights maybe staying the same for the general consumers, except having menus that aren't so stupid, or intelligent depending upon your point of view, but couldn't the professional top of the line units be a whole lot more up to date but intuitive and easier to use for say the wedding photographer and press people who sometimes have to move very fast.

And please, please, please, in this age of technology, can someone please come up with something better than the PC connectors? Maybe two wires coming out of the head that you twist onto two wires coming from your receiver, this would have to be a more reliable system.

Personally however, I'll probably not pursue their use much more without some major changes, the whole experience has pretty much lessened their hopeful value beyond just the occasional use.

Were I to do this over again, I'd probably get the smaller Elinchrom Quadra kite with two lights and forget speedlights all together since I have to use them on manual anyway and attach Skyports etc. And I'd have much better lights.

I do understand for the people who really have to have a speedlight on the camera that they have to use whatever Canon gives them, like it or not.