Below is an e-mail from me with a reply from Tex Felix (thanks, Ted!) Can Pro90 owners offer further input?
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> After reading many posts and web pages by you and others on the
> point, I still don't know what flash to get for my Canon Pro90. The
> current understanding in my addled, newbie brain is this:
>
> 1) Get a Canon 550ex if you have plenty of money an would like to
> share it with Canon. You will usually get point-and-shoot ease. You
> will occasionally get the situation where you can't use the apperture
> you want because you have to humor the Canon G1/Pro90 flash
> scheme. You will be able to reduce the power of the flash when it is
> in Manual (unlike the 420ex).
Sounds right to me. I've never actually touched the 550ex, so your
guess is as good as mine.
> 2) Get a non-Canon flash that won't fry your camera, use the money you
> save for other camera stuff, and learn how to set the flash and camera
> to get the desired exposure. You may miss a few awesome shots
> because you can't set things correctly fast enough.
Don't forget that there is a shutter timing problem that might render
your non-Canon flash useless. I've only heard G1 users complain of
this, so it might not affect the Pro 90. Won't know until someone
tries. So be sure to test your camera with the flash immediately after
buying so you can return it.
As for missing awesome shots, the chances are good that as long as you
are at reasonable distances and zoom settings, and the aperture is set
up properly based on your experience with the flash, you won't miss any
shots at all. It's really nowhere near as bad as it may seem. I
usually pop the flash on my G1, set the camera to "m" mode, 1/60 and
f/2.5, and shoot away. Perfect almost every time. If the camera was
already on those settings, then it's an even quicker arrangement. But
honestly, you won't know how it affects your shooting until you try it.
