540ez?

Greetings One and all,

I am brand new as far as Canon equipment goes and even "newer" to this forum.
I am considering purchasing a second hand 540ez flash. Comments suggestions and critscisms sought after.

Thanks in advance

Steve.

The answer to life the universe and everything is 42

Canon 540EZ is a fine flash unit for film cameras only.

If you have any EOS digital, then you want any -EX flash unit.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks Bob that answers my question nicely, (wanders off mutterng where can I find an -EX for the same price)

The answer to life the universe and everything is 42

I've got the 540ez for my 35mm , and just got a 300. Haven't played with the flash on it much. Why isn't the 540 a good flash for the digitals?

By 540, you mean Canon 540EZ. The -EZ series of flash units are for EOS film cameras, and they do not do ETTL. Your EOS digital camera has ETTL as its default. That uses a pre-flash, then meters that, computes an exposure solution, and then sets that up for the main flash pop, which happens a tiny fraction of a second later.

So, fundamentally, for any EOS digital user now, you want 420EX, 550EX, or 580EX. There are a few older ones like 380EX that are still floating around.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks Bob. So my next question on the subject of flashes is which of the 3, 420EX, 550EX, and 580EX would you recommend? I know the 580EX is the newest and probably be the most compatible with the digitals but I don't really want to spend that kind of money on a flash right now. The prices on the 550EX on ebay aren't to bad. How much of a difference is there between a 540EZ and a 550EX? Also I usually shot in manual mode so would not haveing the ETTL really make that much of a difference. I just upgraded to the 300d from a Reble XS that I have had for a while. So I am fairly new to the digital side of things, which means that there will be quite a few newbie don't know any thing questions like this coming.

Well if you have a digital rebel and you dont need to do second curtain flash, the 420EX.
if you need to do second curtain flash and control other flashes in the future 550EX
if you plan on upgrading your body to say a 20D or somehting newer down the road 580EX( E-TTL2 , the rebel is E-TTL)

What kind of a trick question is this?

The main difference is that the 550EX will work for you and the 540EZ won't. Other than, that, I guess there isn't too much difference in guide number.

---Bob Gross---

The 550EX or 580EX, and the Sigma 500 DG Super, support Flash Exposure Compensation, which the DR, OOB, doesn't. They also allow Manual operation with variable power levels (your 540EZ may also support variable power levels, and will only operate in manual mode on the DR) which you won't get from the 420EX on any EOS digital. For almost the price of the 420EX, I'd seriously think about the Sigma. If staying with Canon's important, pick up one of the last remaining 550EXes unless you don't want FEC, manual capabilities, and variable power in manual on this flash. Of course, if you can get a good deal on the 580EX, go for it (Dell had one back in December; $360 before rebate. Anyone know if it's still on?).