08-20-2010, 11:52 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-20-2010, 11:52 AM by Rainer.)
Flashes of the "EZ" Series support the old "TTL" method, but not the new "ETTL" or "ETTL-2"
methods that all newer digital cameras require. Therefore, the EZ will only be usable if
you select the power-output of the flash manual (on the flash) or (if manual selection is
not possible) you use the flash at full power and do the guidenumber by distance
calculation to find out an appropriate aperture.
I would recommend to use a flash that is compatible to ETTL ... if you stay with
Canon, this would be an "EX" Series flash.
Just my 2cts ... Rainer
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1282309368' post='1960']
... 430 EX would be sufficient for my use even with a 7d, if that is the way I go?
[/quote]
The 430ex is a very solid choice. The only think to keep in mind is, that the 430ex cannot
act as master in a multi-flash environment. If you plan to use more than one
flash sooner or later, you will need a 580ex sooner or later (580ex can be master ans well
as slave ... 430ex can only be slave). On the other side, if you are going to use
radio-triggers of the cheaper kind (which don't transfer ETTL) you will need to set
the power-output manually anyway ... in such a case, a number of 430ex's or even
a bunch of EZ-flashes works well.
Besides the master-capabilities, the 580ex is about one stop stronger (and quite a bit
more expensive).
I personally do have one 430ex and a number of older flashes. The 430ex is doing very
well when used with ETTL ... the others are only used with radio triggers.
Using the brand-specific flash is not the only option.
Some cheap RF remote controlls make using a flash off camera available for little. More expensive RF devices do it better off course, but for a much larger budget.
The trade-off will be losing luxuries like TTL light measuring, but I doubt you will miss it when using multiple flashes. When you use some dirt cheap RF device you will be able to use your old flash. I'm using a Cactus device myself, but the same hardware probably sells under lots of cheap brandnames.
If you still have a little money to spend, you might want to try some cheap RF device with a 430EX and a stand. Together with your old flash you will have 2 flashes for manual operating and one flash for the quick & dirty on-camera work (using TTL). Or forget about the 430EX and buy some more affordable flash if you don't need TTL and the budget is tight.
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1282337410' post='1978']
Thank you all for the good advice. I think I want to make use of the TTL abilities, so a 430 is probably the way to go. I wonder however if the in camera flash is able to act as a master. It seems I read that in the specs for the 7d. If yes, that may be all I'll ever need with a 430 as a slave. I'll check the specs to see if it is true. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
[/quote]
I'd seriously suggest you go for the biggest or rather most powerful flash you can afford (580 EX II IOW, in the Canon stable). Simply because illumination will be more even, and because you almost alwyas don't have enough light when you need it, especially if you want to use longer lenses too with a flash (I know I do <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />).
Kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1282337410' post='1978']
I wonder however if the in camera flash is able to act as a master. It seems I read that in the specs for the 7d.
[/quote]
According to the manual ... (EOS 7D Instruction Manual) on this webpage ...
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_7d?selectedName=BrochuresAndManuals
... page 119 ... the 7D can act as a master itself.
The question remains, how reliable the connection between camera and external flashes is.
Regards ... Rainer
I have checked the flash prices and find that both Nikon and especially Canon are very expensive. Third part suppliers are much less expensive, MetZ, Sunpack? Sigma and claim to work with the E-TTL specs. What do you all think?
