E-TTL vs. E-TTL II HELP!

[alexrmay91]

So I have a canon 270ex flash and am regretting this purchase. Don't get me wrong it's better than the built in flash, but i'm afraid that's all it really is. a glorified built in flash. I don't have a ton of money to spend, so i was looking at the vivitar DF-383.
However, i've noticed that it had a "TTL" setting, whereas my canon T2i has an "E-TTL II" setting. Are these compatible? if i buy the flash, will i not be able to use TTL or ETTL II or whatever it's called? will it only work on manual?
When shopping around for the canon version of this flash, it lists the T2i under compatible cameras, but i'm skeptical if it is FULLY compatible and i would get all of the functionality.
If anyone has any knowhow on the subject, it would be greatly appreciated.
i'm looking to pair these two with an RF602 wireless flash trigger. so if that's a bad idea or if you have a suggestion for a better flash or flash trigger, send your suggestions my way!

[inkista]

I'd say your instincts on the 270EX are spot on: it's a step up from the built in flash, but not much more, particularly since you have no manual control for off-camera work with radio triggers.

If you're planning on using this flash off-camera with RF-602s all the time, then why are you worried about TTL? You won't have TTL function anyways, once you start using the radio triggers. If you are planning on using the camera on-camera, then I'd go to the Strobist discussion threads and ask if it's E-TTL II-compatible.

Personally, I'd say either go with a full-manual flash, like the LumoPro LP160 or the Yongnuo YN-560, or get a flash you know is Canon dSLR-compatible (or just save up the pennies and get a real Canon EX speedlite: 430EX, 430EXII, 550EX, 580EX, or 580EXII).

[alexrmay91]

Originally Posted by inkista

I'd say your instincts on the 270EX are spot on: it's a step up from the built in flash, but not much more, particularly since you have no manual control for off-camera work with radio triggers.

If you're planning on using this flash off-camera with RF-602s all the time, then why are you worried about TTL? You won't have TTL function anyways, once you start using the radio triggers. If you are planning on using the camera on-camera, then I'd go to the Strobist discussion threads and ask if it's E-TTL II-compatible.

Personally, I'd say either go with a full-manual flash, like the LumoPro LP160 or the Yongnuo YN-560, or get a flash you know is Canon dSLR-compatible (or just save up the pennies and get a real Canon EX speedlite: 430EX, 430EXII, 550EX, 580EX, or 580EXII).

There's a strobist discussion thread? Mind directing me to that? haha

And I understand that TTL won't matter on a device like the RF602, but more than half the time, i'll be using it on camera and TTL there is a must for me.

Truthfully, i haven't done much research on flashes, and don't really know any brands! i would rather stay away from a canon speedlite. i feel like i can get more bang for my buck if i go for another brand. Other than LumoPro and Yongnuo, what other reliable brands are there? If i know the names of my best options i can just research their lineup. Thanks a bunch.

And these might be all questions for the strobist thread, so sorry if this is a little much, but i'll definitely be searching around there once i find it...

[inkista]

Originally Posted by alexrmay91

There's a strobist discussion thread? Mind directing me to that? haha

Flickr: Strobist.com discussion topics

BTW,. double-posting is kinda frowned upon here. You can always PM a mod to move a thread if you think it'll get more traffic somewhere else.

Truthfully, i haven't done much research on flashes, and don't really know any brands! i would rather stay away from a canon speedlite. i feel like i can get more bang for my buck if i go for another brand.

What Canon will give you is better future compatibility. It's like third-party lenses. They work out the body/flash communication by reverse engineering. If Canon changes how that communication is going to work, they'll ensure their own equipment is backwards compatible, but they're not going to care about anybody else's. So, bang-for-the-buck can be in the eye of the beholder.

Other than LumoPro and Yongnuo, what other reliable brands are there?

Offhand, Metz, and Nissin would be two other brands to look at. Vivitar isn't really in the business of making flashes any more, and the 285HV is now the Cactus KF36. And for monolights, Paul C. Buff's brands, like White Lightnings, AlienBees, and the new Einsteins are worth looking at.

[alexrmay91]

sorry about the double post. I've never used forums before so i don't know all of the rules and customs. But noted. double posting isn't cool. and what'd PMing a mod, and how do i do that?

The fact that third party flashes aren't always compatible with future models is a great point and one i haven't thought of. alas, there's still no way i could afford a canon flash. I just got my camera less than a month ago, so i'm really not worried if it isn't compatible with my next camera, which won't be for a long time. especially if the flash is a cheap one, i wouldn't mind replacing it.

Thanks for the suggestions on those brands, it really helps a lot!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by alexrmay91

sorry about the double post. I've never used forums before so i don't know all of the rules and customs. But noted. double posting isn't cool. and what'd PMing a mod, and how do i do that?

PM = private message
mod = moderator

If you look at folks's logins, the moderators are labelled as such. If you click on the login name link, the drop-down menu will include being able to send someone a private message. Only the person you sent it to will see the post.

When you're new to a board, it's always a good idea to spend a little time "lurking" (i.e., just reading, not posting) just to get a good feel for what the board's like. And to take a spin through a board's FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to get a handle on their rules.

The fact that third party flashes aren't always compatible with future models is a great point and one i haven't thought of. alas, there's still no way i could afford a canon flash. I just got my camera less than a month ago, so i'm really not worried if it isn't compatible with my next camera, which won't be for a long time. especially if the flash is a cheap one, i wouldn't mind replacing it.

As long as you're cool with taking the chance, then no reason not to. It's just one of those things you need to consider is all. There's also the fact that because Canon's in complete control of the communication, they can build in other features, like the wireless (infrared) communication, eTTL, high-speed sync, full control pf the flash from the camera's LCD back, etc. With third party flashes, it's kind of a mixed bag as to which features work and which ones don't. That's why searching/asking on the Flickr Strobist group discussions can be useful: there's a wealthful of speedlight know-how in that community.

Thanks for the suggestions on those brands, it really helps a lot!

You're welcome! Good luck!