Flashes

[Monica.S]

I am looking to get a flash for my Canon RebelXT DSLR camera. I am looking used, but I need to know if flashes are universal. Will any flash work on all cameras or do I need to look for a specific type or mount. Please help me.

[inkista]

Well, yes and no.

Sony/Minolta flashes are out, because they use a proprietary hotshoe. You could use them with an adapter, but that's just one more hassle and thing to buy.

Any flash that only has a single firing pin on the shoe/"iso hotshoe" (say a LumoPro LP120 or Vivitar 285HV) will work, but you will only have the ability to fire the flash; no TTL capabilities. Also, depending on the age of the flash, you may want to check that the trigger voltage will be safe for your camera.

Any flash from another camera manufacturer (Nikon, Pentax, etc.) is likely to work, but may cause problems because of the signals on the other pins not being the same as Canon's. Ditto the only-have-the-ability-to-fire no TTL thing. You may want to tape over any extra pins or pull them to make sure the flash is safe for use on your Canon hotshoe.

A Canon flash will work, but depending on the age and feature set of the flash, you may or may not have e-TTL II capability. Basically, the only models you really want if you want full eTTL II capability are the 550EX, 580EX, 580EXII, 420EX, 430EX and 430EX II. You probably want to avoid the EZ models, especially if you plan on doing any off-camera flash lighting work, since you won't have manual control over the flash power.

eTTL capability means that the flash can use through-the-lens (TTL) metering on a pre-flash burst to set the power on the flash for the exposure automatically. It's also a blanket term to cover all the additional function you can get with an on-camera flash: high-speed sync, the Canon proprietary (light-based) wireless commanding, etc.

There. Clear as mud.

[OsmosisStudios]

Your canon dSLR uses a common mount, but that doesn't mean the flashes are universal.

To get the best out of it on-camera, you'll want a canon EX speedlight. Which model is beyond me (Ask Inkista), but that's your best bet.

EDIT: Aaaaand she beat me to it.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

EDIT: Aaaaand she beat me to it.

Have I ever mentioned I type at about 100wpm?

[smc1377]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

EDIT: Aaaaand she beat me to it.

Inkista is a she? LOL. I don't know why I assumed otherwise. Maybe cause most technical nuts are guys? IDK.

[Monica.S]

Thank you so much for the info......very detailed. This really helps alot.

[LindaOH]

I have a Canon XT that I bought used with a Speedlite 380EX. It works quite well but you'd have to get it used as it is no longer available.
I am looking for another flash and am trying to stick with another Speedlite EX with the tilt bounce.

[aropilot]

Knowing I was going to grow into my equipment, I went for the gusto and bought the 580Ex II. Yes, its on the spendy side but I made decisions early on that would allow me to do my research once and buy equipment once. When a person (myself) has 2 very expensive hobbies - photography and airplanes - One needs to be efficient and conscious of how to support them financially.

i have a brand new never used lumopro 160 $130 OBO if interested please email memorieseye@yahoo.com