New Canon Speedlite coming soon?

[PacAce]

I have and use both the Canon and the Nikon flash systems and both have their good points and "bad" points when compared to each other, although, I will admit that Nikon has a slight edge over the Canon when it comes to the flash system. Just remember, it's always seems greener on the other side of the fence until you actually go over to the other side and then you realize there are some things you used to take for granted which you can't do any more after going over the fence.

[mattograph]

Well said. Of course, sometimes better is just better.

[Faolan]

I use the Canon e-TTL system, yes the Nikon is easier to use but both are reliable. They both have similar short comings when working outdoors. Nikon just has a few more features that make it friendlier to Strobist users but those can be added for little cost to the Canon units.

Would it be a killer feature for Canon to intro RF onto a flash head? Without a doubt, however doing so will most likely require a completely new Flash system plus expensive RF dampening. Look at how much RF noise the 580 can dump out, which caught PWs on the hop leading to a backlash.

[mattograph]

The biggest feature Nikon offers that you cannot duplicate in a canon is the ability to set ETTL compensation across individual channels. Their multi light ETTL system is much more usable in that regard.

That, and the transmission on their CLS system seems to be more reliable and of longer range. That, of course, is subjective.

[Jethro790]

Dude, they make apps for your iphone that can remote control your TV. But Canon cant make a $1000 camera and a $550 flash unit to include $6 worth of electronics to wireless fire a flash? It's a friggin conspiracy. I think the PW people have some blackmail on someone very high up in the Canon product development department.

[c2thew]

canon should start a new trend: making cameras lighter and more portable. this is the main deterrent from people that casually take pictures from day to day, and professionals who lug all their equipment around.

and yes, an optical slave would have been useful in any canon flash but Noooooooooooooo...

[Jannie]

Well an efficient optical slave on my 580EXII's, something that works as good as the ones on my Elinchrom monolights would be fantastic, much better than the system Canon uses now. I've used an optical slave that I plug into the PC port on the 580EXII and it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't, it might be that it's just another darn PC connection thing.

[mattograph]

Our Canon Rep is going to be here June 20. And she is gonna get an earful!

[OldA1]

Originally Posted by mattograph

Our Canon Rep is going to be here June 20. And she is gonna get an earful!

Matt, I feel your pain. I started out with the Nikon D200 and was blown away with the CLS flash system. I used two SB-800's off camera for main and fill as well as the little R200's from Nikon's R1C1 macro ringlight for background and hair lights. Although I do not regret making the switch to Canon a couple years ago, I do miss the ease and flexability of the Nikon flash system. The D200 (and up) had a commander mode built in so no ST-E2 type unit was required. Nikon does however make a commander unit for cameras that did not have the built-in commander mode. Nikon even recorded flash info in the shooting data so you could check any image and see wether or not you used bounce, wide panel and even if the sto-fen was attached.

I would love to see a new flash (flash system) from Canon that has similar functionality as the Nikon system (like being able to use the small flashes from the MT-24 as off camera slaves) but I think it will also require an update (not sure if firmware would do it for existing models) to the camera as well in the flash control menu.

Is it possible that these features would encroach on any patents that Nikon may have? Maybe that is why Canon's system is different?

Peace
Mark

[Rudeofus]

Originally Posted by OldA1

Is it possible that these features would encroach on any patents that Nikon may have? Maybe that is why Canon's system is different?

I guess we have a winner here! Actually it's Lab Partners Associates (aka PocketWizard) who own the patent on radio controlled flashes. Minolta has the patent for controlling a flash directly from the camera, and apparently Nikon licensed it.

Originally Posted by Jethro790

Dude, they make apps for your iphone that can remote control your TV. But Canon cant make a $1000 camera and a $550 flash unit to include $6 worth of electronics to wireless fire a flash? It's a friggin conspiracy.

It's not just a friggin' conspiracy, it's the law (patent law that is)

Please, all these people who know how to combine a flash with radio communication: why didn't you spread your infinite wisdom in the late 80ies or early 90ies? We would have such a precious case of prior art, and all the camera makers would be happy (except for the ones holding the patent)

Originally Posted by Jethro790

I think the PW people have some blackmail on someone very high up in the Canon product development department.

Well, a cease and desist order from a patent attorney would work ...

[AdamJT]

What would keep Canon (or anyone for that matter) from adding bluetooth communication between camera and off-camera accesories. The amount of data that could be passes would jump exponentially and allow a great deal of communication straight from the camera. In addition, it would allow connections strait to laptops. In the realm of wireless flash it could allow for out of site remote firing. It would also be able to implement two-way communication and allow a lot more freedom for wireless manual control and other untold features...

[liupublic]

Bluetooth range is relatively short compares to RF. Indoor w/lots of wall, it would be similar to infra-red.

Just try it with a bluebooth cell phone/headset and you will see what I mean.

I was thinking something like a Wifi-N network would make much more sense. Run it at 2.4gHz or 5gHz band with commonly available parts and TCP/IP protocols. Maybe even figure out a way to communicate with a notebook computer for wifi control/image download. Think about all those wifi video camera on the market right now.

Originally Posted by AdamJT

What would keep Canon (or anyone for that matter) from adding bluetooth communication between camera and off-camera accesories. The amount of data that could be passes would jump exponentially and allow a great deal of communication straight from the camera. In addition, it would allow connections strait to laptops. In the realm of wireless flash it could allow for out of site remote firing. It would also be able to implement two-way communication and allow a lot more freedom for wireless manual control and other untold features...

[nureality]

Originally Posted by Lithian

If canon were to announce a new flash it'd be at pma so if you want to wait and see its not very far away...

That said if they do bring out a new flash i'd expect an updated smaller flash to please the casual rebel crowd rather than something bigger than a 580

They released one of those last year the 270EX

[vitacura]

Originally Posted by nureality

They released one of those last year the 270EX

Wow.. you just quoted a post from over a year ago!

[Celtic Tiger]

Originally Posted by vitacura

Wow.. you just quoted a post from over a year ago!

Whenever that happens, I always assume the poster is a good user of the Forums. To me that means they were probably searching to see if something had been addressed before...before just asking a question all over again!