EOS 6D Flash Question

I plan to purchase a 6D this week as I upgrade to full-size sensor. My only Canon Speedlight is an E-TTL (380EX). Will this work with the 6D, or will I need to get a new E-TTL II flash unit?

doctordare wrote in post #17610706
I plan to purchase a 6D this week as I upgrade to full-size sensor. My only Canon Speedlight is an E-TTL (380EX). Will this work with the 6D, or will I need to get a new E-TTL II flash unit?

All EX models will work with the 6D. I think you may have to upgrade to at least the 430EX II to be able to use on-camera menus to manage the flash. If you just use FEC, and Manual mode, you really don't need the on-camera menus. That said, they are really convenient. You'll love the 6D.

I think all of the EX units are ETTL-II.

Thanks for your help. I think I'll hold off on buying a new flash until I get to use the 6D for a while and try my existing flash. I don't use the built in flash on my current EOS very much, except for some occasional fill-in. I want to take advantage of the current $300 savings with the 24-105L (but there aren't any major deals right now on flashes).

You may find that the high ISO capabilities of the 6D are good enough that you don't need a flash

zoom_zoom wrote in post #17610766
You may find that the high ISO capabilities of the 6D are good enough that you don't need a flash

True. I use flash when/where I need it. But full frame and fast primes can change the way you shoot.

Good point! We recently travelled to Australia and my wife convinced me I "needed" a Sigma 150/2.8 macro. With the aperture and image stabilization, plus ISO 1600 (max on my current camera), I got incredible zoo shots - even in the indoor displays.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17610746
I think all of the EX units are ETTL-II.

That depends on what you use them with. E-TTL vs. E-TTL II is a function of the camera, not the flash. If the flash supports E-TTL, then it automatically supports E-TTL II as well.

Flashes supporting in-camera menus are those from the 580 EX II and later. 430 EX II is included, but 380 EX is not.

apersson850 wrote in post #17611057
That depends on what you use them with. E-TTL vs. E-TTL II is a function of the camera, not the flash. If the flash supports E-TTL, then it automatically supports E-TTL II as well.

Flashes supporting in-camera menus are those from the 580 EX II and later. 430 EX II is included, but 380 EX is not.

Correct, of course. Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I can manage without the in-camera menus; I just want the flash to synch with the camera on the periodic occasions I might want to use it. Camera (6D), 24-105L, and battery grip scheduled to arrive Tuesday!

Hi, I shoot with the Canon 6D. I wanted a flash to fill on some of my back lite subjects. I decided on the Canon Speed Lite 270 EX. It states in the booklet it works with ETTL and ETTL II, and all the flash control is performed on the camera side in the same manner as a built in flash. Since this is exactly what I wanted I bought it. This flash is small, and easily fits in your pocket, and only uses 2 batteries. Best of all, I bought it new from B&H for $139.00

Bill Emmett wrote in post #17614850
Hi, I shoot with the Canon 6D. I wanted a flash to fill on some of my back lite subjects. I decided on the Canon Speed Lite 270 EX. It states in the booklet it works with ETTL and ETTL II, and all the flash control is performed on the camera side in the same manner as a built in flash. Since this is exactly what I wanted I bought it. This flash is small, and easily fits in your pocket, and only uses 2 batteries. Best of all, I bought it new from B&H for $139.00

Yes. I bought a 270EX II for use on my G15. It is wonderful on the 60D and 6D, also. I use it often.

zoom_zoom wrote in post #17610766
You may find that the high ISO capabilities of the 6D are good enough that you don't need a flash

Good use of a flash has less to do with quantity of light and more to do with the quality and direction of light.

I have considered the 270 EX, as it sounds like it would fit my needs. However, I'll go ahead and get used to the camera and try it with my 380 EX. Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

If you decide to buy a flash, go ahead and get the 430exIi. A full sized flash is easier to use with bounce cards, or other modifiers.

I have 2 Canon 430 EXIIs. I recently bought from a friend a Yongnuo YN568II. It offers all the features of the 430 EXII (the ones I use, anyway) and it can also serve as a Master. You don't have an onboard flash on the 6D, so having a flash with Master capability may be important to you.

Up to now, I could do Off-Camera Flash (OCF) only with the 60D. Now, I can use the 5DIII. (I also bought triggers from the same friend, but that's another story).