Canon Flash system

For people who use the Canon IR system what would you like to see improved on it... Especially when it's compared to the Nikon CLS system?

My personal changes:

1) Clearer and better control over the various flash groups. Whilst the control system works it's not very intuitive.
2) Better performance especially in high contrast situations.
3) Better remote performance either with IR or better still radio (ala Radiopoppers).
4) Take a tip from Nikon have a remote control system from the camera.
5) Have a auto-mode that actually works!
6) Better feedback in regards to flash power/charge and a ready beep when it hits full power.

Any one else want to put ideas for a wish list?

Faolan wrote in post #5630336
For people who use the Canon IR system what would you like to see improved on it... Especially when it's compared to the Nikon CLS system?

1. Built in Radio E-TTL.

2. Amount of power used on last E-TTL flash. This way I can set to manual if I want.

3. More intuitive remote control of slaves (like you suggested).

4. Beep on full power sounds nice. Make it configurable.

• Don't force me to use M on the camera if I set the flash to M! (That's a biggie)
  
• Make ETTL2 work predictable (at least a bit)...
  
• Redesign the User Interface, so the A mode becomes choose-able by cycling through the modes
  
• Make the light on the flashes LCD go on if I illuminate the camera LCD (Nikon did this like 5 years ago!)
  
• Bring back the off/master/slave switch
  
• Don't make the PC connector unusable in certain modes
  
• If you design a Mk2 *whatever* it's NOT done to change the order of all CFns
  
• Remote option straight from the camera would be nice.
  
• I guess getting rid of the preflash would be too much to ask
  

A manual flash with the same build and power of the 580, for $150

Heck, they will never listen to me anyway.

René Damkot wrote in post #5631948
I guess getting rid of the preflash would be too much to ask

They did that with the 580EX II. Set C.Fn. 5-3.


Now if they could just calibrate it properly...

René Damkot wrote in post #5631948

• Don't force me to use M on the camera if I set the flash to M! (That's a biggie)
  
• Make ETTL2 work predictable (at least a bit)...
  
• Redesign the User Interface, so the A mode becomes choose-able by cycling through the modes
  
• Make the light on the flashes LCD go on if I illuminate the camera LCD (Nikon did this like 5 years ago!)
  
• Bring back the off/master/slave switch
  
• Don't make the PC connector unusable in certain modes
  
• If you design a Mk2 *whatever* it's NOT done to change the order of all CFns
  
• Remote option straight from the camera would be nice.
  
• I guess getting rid of the preflash would be too much to ask
  

René, setting of remote function is available from the camera now, curtesy of FW 1.2.3 for the 1Dmk3.

Fully manual control over IR (or radio), none of this ETTL nonsense as soon as you put it into slave mode.

Rudi wrote in post #5635056
Fully manual control over IR (or radio), none of this ETTL nonsense as soon as you put it into slave mode.

Manual flash with IR wireless is available now!

See this thread for a tutorial:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=429981

Huh.... I guess it pays to read the manual! I've used my 580EX's in ETTL in the past, and never went past the step where it indicates ETTL as you set the flash to "slave". I just lived with ETTL, even though I didn't like it much. No matter, since the IR is only reliable indoors, and I needed to shoot outside.

I guess I'll change my answer to "fully manual control over radio, thanks!" Although now that I have my Skyports, I doubt that I would go back to the expensive Canon flashes for things that I don't really need...

All the above and....

Get rid of the cryptic numbers only references for custom functions and implement a proper menu system with actual words - like you get on the back of the 40D when connected to a 580EX II. What is the preoccupation with making custom functions a memory test or requiring the manual to look things up? Mobile phones managed donkeys' years ago to have words in their menu system, even on small four line displays. I can't comprehend why modern top line flash guns cannot manage the same level of basic UI.

Having a built in commander to camera's with built in flash.

Updating the ST-E2 to include a Group C!!!
(Hey, add a group D, E and F for future Flash models!)

-Mario

PacAce wrote in post #5633787
René, setting of remote function is available from the camera now, curtesy of FW 1.2.3 for the 1Dmk3.

This is what I meant to say:

m3rdpwr wrote in post #5636038
Having a built in commander to camera's with built in flash.

Also for camera's without built in flash if possible

m3rdpwr wrote in post #5636038
Updating the ST-E2 to include a Group C!!!
(Hey, add a group D, E and F for future Flash models!)

-Mario

Personally couldn't agree with this more!