5D lack of popup flash - how do you deal with it?

I'd say if the conditions need a flash, and you don't have one, the best option is to use the 5D's spot or partial metering modes to get the part of the image you want correctly exposed, and then crop later. I don't like flash much , but know it has to be used sometimes. If you have not got it think beyond the viewfinder image to what you really want from the final photo - then spot/partial meter. It does work.

How do I cope without it?

Personally I thank the gods and designers every time I take a low light shot without a flaming pop up flash spoiling it.

When buying the camera, you should understand that there's no popup flash first of all....

Keep in mind, these cameras were built with pro photos in mind, who couldn't afford that 1DsMKII. Wedding photographers are a good example. Big buffer, no need for 8fps, etc.

The popup flash gives little control and takes up space, so eliminate it, and leave it to the owner to have their lighting equipment which they have much more control on. And this is the case with any 1 series camera as well. Same with the higher end film cameras by Canon. Nothing has changed.

gyrob wrote:
I know how you feel i spent hours trying to get my 1dmk2 to pop the flash up still carn't do it
Rob

Funny mental image - thanks.

I don't need to use flash on my Rebel XT very often, but when I do it's very nice to have the built-in unit. Also, isn't the battery life usually less than 100 shots on a separate flash unit? To me that's both inconvenient and costly, much in the same way as buying and developing film is, by my view. And, like film, even if the shot didn't come out right, the exposure is still used...and wasted.

I prefer having the built-in flash. However, if I had the money for a 5D, I'd...probably find a way to make do ;p

I didn't. I never really used it when I had my 20D, so I didn't miss it during my brief affair with the 5D. I'm not a huge fan of using a flash. Though I know I'm going to end up having to get one for serious work in the future.

After I got my 20D I decided to sell my D60. The first guy who looked at it pointed out that the pop-up flash would not pop up. It occured to me that don't know if it ever could pop up because I always used a Speedlight if I needed flash. I then decided to keep the D60 as my back up because it apparently wasn't worth anything unless I had the flash repaired.

I know the pop-up flash on my 20D works, because I tested it after that. I still haven't figure out what to use it for since I always throw in an accessory flash if I might need it.

I never used it on my rebel, and so it wasn't really an issue when upgrading. I'm sure there will be times when I would like it, but thats life

Knocking a pop up flash is like knocking an unusual screwdriver. It's just a friggin tool and disliking it doesn't in anyway mean you know what you're doing.

The 220EX sounds like good advice. Surprisingly, I have only gotten redeye once with the popup out of a few hundred frames shot that evening. Back then I was shooting on a 350D and I hadn't yet purchased an external flash.. THAT was the incident that convinced me hotshoe flash was for me and that was more than 9 months ago. I do have a 430EX, just that I don't carry it all the time. But if I even expect to need it, certainly - I really do appreciate the results it delivers.

I do understand the reasons why the 5D did not come with a popup, and I do understand the need for ext flash, heck I am planning to pick up my ST-E2 when the budget allows so I can control two slaves off the camera, it will make my product shots much easier, being able to light from both sides of a light tent.

As a hedge against 'unexpected circumstances', which is really all I am asking for and why the discussion took place, the 220EX sounds great, small and light enough to have with you ALL the time. The best tripod, or in fact anything, is no good sitting at home, which happens as I leave the 430EX behind a fair bit when I don't think I'll need it.

Or maybe I should just carry my A530 or even worse *gasp* a camera phone.. now that (cam phone) is REAL blasphemy.

Personally when I had bodies with the popup flash, I never used them.

I've never used the popup flash on my 30D. I don't remember when I last used the popup flash on any SLR. It's been a long while.