External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI.

AussieCat · 10th of February 2007 (Sat)

i know this question might seem really naive...

i have yet to buy an external flash for my 400d.

i'll need it for night club / social events photography i'll be doing soon.

but, is it normal that when i use my built in flash on my 400d that often

there is like a buffer / waiting periois before i can take the next shot with the flash again?

is this normal to have a waiting period sometime of 1-6 seconds?

if so

does this mean i need to just get an external flash to eliminate thi issue?

of do u ofetn have to wait even with external flashes before the batter will reload again / recharge the falsh? if u know what i mean

cdifoto · 10th of February 2007 (Sat)

Flash needs to recycle. It's as simple as that. Some are faster than others, often depending how much of the total capacity has been used. In other words if a flash is rated to recycle in 6 seconds, if you only use half of it's power for a given shot, you can expect a 3 second recycle time.

Onboard flash isn't known for it's range or speed.

AussieCat · 10th of February 2007 (Sat)

does this mean

if its a worry

i need to get a good external flash?

cdifoto · 10th of February 2007 (Sat)

The best way I can sum it up is if you need a flash, external is the best way to go. There are still "delays" with recycling but they won't be as bad as with the onboard.

AussieCat · 10th of February 2007 (Sat)

sweet

makes sense

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdi-ink.com

The best way I can sum it up is if you need a flash, external is the best way to go. There are still "delays" with recycling but they won't be as bad as with the onboard.

Bodog · 10th of February 2007 (Sat)

The built in is great for fill-in in a pinch, but if you intend to shot in an environment where you know you will need flash, then you gotta have a good external, no way around it.

Jon, The Elder · 11th of February 2007 (Sun)

Aside from making a 'hot spot' in your image, the built in is only reaching out about 12' or so. An external will extend that quite a bit and, if diffused, will give you much better control of the light pattern.

chris clements · 11th of February 2007 (Sun)

The pop-up flash is just for fill or emergency. Range, even coverage and recycling are poor; you sholdn't be relying on it.
Go get a 430 now.

rowdyred94 · 11th of February 2007 (Sun)

I have a 430 and just switched from alkalines to Energizer 2500 mAh rechargeables. I was shocked to find that there was no recharge delay. The red light never even flickered. I could cycle my G3 as fast as I wanted. Sweet!

Wilt · 11th of February 2007 (Sun)

All flashes have to recycle. An external unit might NOT be faster on recycle than the on-board flash! The way to get fast recycle is to combine an external flash with an additional auxiliary battery pack which is designed to recycle the flash unit very quickly; an auxiliary battery pack might only offer more shots, without faster recycle (it depends on the auxiliary battery unit).

AussieCat · 12th of February 2007 (Mon)

i have the 400d

whats the full oficial tittle of this flahs

i have to get it

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowdyred94

I have a 430 and just switched from alkalines to Energizer 2500 mAh rechargeables. I was shocked to find that there was no recharge delay. The red light never even flickered. I could cycle my G3 as fast as I wanted. Sweet!

AussieCat · 12th of February 2007 (Mon)

u mean a batter grip yeah?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilt

All flashes have to recycle. An external unit might NOT be faster on recycle than the on-board flash! The way to get fast recycle is to combine an external flash with an additional auxiliary battery pack which is designed to recycle the flash unit very quickly; an auxiliary battery pack might only offer more shots, without faster recycle (it depends on the auxiliary battery unit).

Wilt · 12th of February 2007 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieCat

u mean a batter grip yeah?

No, a battery grip powers the camera...I don't know if it affects the recycle time of the built-in flash or not.

I as referring to external battery packs, like the Quantum Turbo, which provide very fast charge times for flash units that are separate from the camera.

AussieCat · 15th of February 2007 (Thu)

question to anyone

if i get an external flash

will this help with the recyle time of my external big flash??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilt

No, a battery grip powers the camera...I don't know if it affects the recycle time of the built-in flash or not.

I as referring to external battery packs, like the Quantum Turbo, which provide very fast charge times for flash units that are separate from the camera.

Wilt · 15th of February 2007 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussiCat

if i get an external flash. will this help with the recyle time of my external big flash??

AussieCat,

Your question is confusing. You have a camera, you do not have an external flash (yet). I have already replied that an external flash unit may not necessarily be any better than the in-camera flash for the recycle time, unless you have an external battery like a Quantum Turbo. and I have already replied that a battery grip does not help with recycle, it simply provides more shots.

Please state what you are considering adding to your kit. And what is 'will this help'...what is the antecedent of 'this'...what are you referring to

10th of February 2007 (Sat)	#1
AussieCat Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 522	External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. i know this question might seem really naive... i have yet to buy an external flash for my 400d. i'll need it for night club / social events photography i'll be doing soon. but, is it normal that when i use my built in flash on my 400d that often there is like a buffer / waiting periois before i can take the next shot with the flash again? is this normal to have a waiting period sometime of 1-6 seconds? if so does this mean i need to just get an external flash to eliminate thi issue? of do u ofetn have to wait even with external flashes before the batter will reload again / recharge the falsh? if u know what i mean

10th of February 2007 (Sat)	#2
cdifoto Don't get pissy with me Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 32,715	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. Flash needs to recycle. It's as simple as that. Some are faster than others, often depending how much of the total capacity has been used. In other words if a flash is rated to recycle in 6 seconds, if you only use half of it's power for a given shot, you can expect a 3 second recycle time. Onboard flash isn't known for it's range or speed. __________________ Did you lose Digital Photo Professional (DPP)? Get it here. Cursing at your worse-than-a-map reflector? Check out this vid!

10th of February 2007 (Sat)	#3
AussieCat Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 522	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. does this mean if its a worry i need to get a good external flash?

10th of February 2007 (Sat)	#4
cdifoto Don't get pissy with me Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 32,715	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. The best way I can sum it up is if you need a flash, external is the best way to go. There are still "delays" with recycling but they won't be as bad as with the onboard. __________________ Did you lose Digital Photo Professional (DPP)? Get it here. Cursing at your worse-than-a-map reflector? Check out this vid!

10th of February 2007 (Sat)	#6
Bodog Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Peculiar, MO Posts: 1,306	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. The built in is great for fill-in in a pinch, but if you intend to shot in an environment where you know you will need flash, then you gotta have a good external, no way around it. __________________ JimE Color? It's all relative...

11th of February 2007 (Sun)	#7
Jon, The Elder teaching fish to ride a bicycle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 2,487	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. Aside from making a 'hot spot' in your image, the built in is only reaching out about 12' or so. An external will extend that quite a bit and, if diffused, will give you much better control of the light pattern. __________________ A 40D, a 30D, some nice glass and a great Shooting Partner. "...As in music, so in life."

11th of February 2007 (Sun)	#8
chris clements Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: this scepter'd isle (bottom right corner) Posts: 1,644	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. The pop-up flash is just for fill or emergency. Range, even coverage and recycling are poor; you sholdn't be relying on it. Go get a 430 now.

11th of February 2007 (Sun)	#9
rowdyred94 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA Posts: 1,917 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. I have a 430 and just switched from alkalines to Energizer 2500 mAh rechargeables. I was shocked to find that there was no recharge delay. The red light never even flickered. I could cycle my G3 as fast as I wanted. Sweet! __________________ -Clint ..:: Canon EOS 30D :: Canon 18-135 IS & 50 f/1.4 & 70-200 f/4L :: SPEEDLITE 580EX & 430EX :: Kenko tubes :: PowerShot G3 ::..

11th of February 2007 (Sun)	#10
Wilt Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: California Posts: 30,885 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: External flash compared to internal. 400D. XTI. All flashes have to recycle. An external unit might NOT be faster on recycle than the on-board flash! The way to get fast recycle is to combine an external flash with an additional auxiliary battery pack which is designed to recycle the flash unit very quickly; an auxiliary battery pack might only offer more shots, without faster recycle (it depends on the auxiliary battery unit). __________________ Canon dSLR system, Olympus OM 35mm system, Bronica ETRSi 645 system, Horseman LS 4x5 system, Metz flashes, Dynalite studio lighting, and too many accessories to mention Keep POTN alive and well with member support http://photography-on-the.net/forum/donate.php

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