External Flash Question

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

RLBeldon wrote:
>
> I have finally moved from film(Canon AE-1) to digital with a
> new Canon A510. I would like to occasionally use an external
> flash with this new camera and figure that I might have two choices:
>
> 1) Pay $100+ for the little Canon model HF-DC1 flash w/ wireless
> trigger specifically made for Canon's small P & S digitals.
> No bounce or other adjustments on this model. Range doubles
> from the camera's 11' to 22'.
>
> 2) Use my existing external electronic flash(15 yo). I would
> need a shoe conversion attachment to the tripod mount
> and some kind of electronic trigger interface with the
> Canon 'wireless' trigger. I would then have 30'+ range
> and bounce available. I realize that this will require
> manual adjustments to camera and flash.
>
> Can the pros or experienced amateurs here recommend any
> reliable sources or links? Is #2 even worth it? Am I
> forgetting anything else? Are there any other options
> at reasonable cost to consider? Thanks.
> Post or reply to rbeldon at niu dot edu

You understand the pros and cons correctly. While 2 will give you
additional capabilities, they come at a cost of manual adjustments. Or
maybe not, if your camera has a manual exposure mode, and your external
flash(es) have an Auto mode where they calculate their exposure
themselves.

The one piece you don't seem to know yet is that there are special slave
units for use with compact digital cameras. These special slaves ignore
the camera's "pre-flash", which ordinary slave units respond to. One of
these solves your triggering issue conveniently.

Lisa

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:31:28 +0000 (UTC), RLBeldon wrote:

> I have finally moved from film(Canon AE-1) to digital with a
> new Canon A510. I would like to occasionally use an external
> flash with this new camera and figure that I might have two choices:
>
> 1) Pay $100+ for the little Canon model HF-DC1 flash w/ wireless
> trigger specifically made for Canon's small P & S digitals.
> No bounce or other adjustments on this model. Range doubles
> from the camera's 11' to 22'.

You make it sound as if the HF-DC1 picks up an RF signal broadcast
by the Canon A510. Are you sure it isn't simply being triggered by
the A510's flash? The info. provided on B&H's web page states that
the HF-DC1 is a:

>> supplementary unit that operates wirelessly and increases the effective
>> flash range up to approximately 30 feet. The HF-DC1 flash is supplied
>> with a mounting bracket so it can be attached to the camera, but it can
>> also be hand=held or mounted on a tripod or accessory light stand to
>> adjust the lighting angle for professional quality results. Multiple
>> HF-DC1 units can be synchronized with a single camera for even greater
>> lighting flexibility. This smart high powered slave flash unit is compact
>> and compatible with almost every Powershot digital camera (Except for
>> early models including the PowerShot 600, 350 and Pro70).


> Can the pros or experienced amateurs here recommend any
> reliable sources or links? Is #2 even worth it? Am I
> forgetting anything else? Are there any other options
> at reasonable cost to consider? Thanks.

I spoke with a B&H saleman on the phone about the HF-DC1 and was
told that other manufacturer's slave flashes could work just as well
with the A510, providing greater range for a lower price. The total
price might be higher if you add a nice adjustable mounting bracket.
But the HF-DC1 provides a nice, more compact flash package that
increases the range and helps to reduce the redeye produced by the
A510's built-in flash.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:31:28 +0000 (UTC), RLBeldon <rbeldon@SPAMniu.edu> wrote:

>I have finally moved from film(Canon AE-1) to digital with a
>new Canon A510. I would like to occasionally use an external
>flash with this new camera and figure that I might have two choices:
>
>1) Pay $100+ for the little Canon model HF-DC1 flash w/ wireless
> trigger specifically made for Canon's small P & S digitals.
> No bounce or other adjustments on this model. Range doubles
> from the camera's 11' to 22'.
>
>2) Use my existing external electronic flash(15 yo). I would
> need a shoe conversion attachment to the tripod mount
> and some kind of electronic trigger interface with the
> Canon 'wireless' trigger. I would then have 30'+ range
> and bounce available. I realize that this will require
> manual adjustments to camera and flash.

Don't use the old flash without checking what its' trigger voltage is. It could destroy your new camera!

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Hi,

The Metz 28 CS-2 Digital is a great little slave flash unit, that "learns"
to avoid any preflash or focus beam, after just 1 trial flash. It is silver
colored plastic, small, and has a built-in folding bracket with screw for a
tripod socket. It works very nicely, and is readily pocketable.

Regards,

Morton

Lisa Horton wrote:

> RLBeldon wrote:
> >
> > I have finally moved from film(Canon AE-1) to digital with a
> > new Canon A510. I would like to occasionally use an external
> > flash with this new camera and figure that I might have two choices:
> >
> > 1) Pay $100+ for the little Canon model HF-DC1 flash w/ wireless
> > trigger specifically made for Canon's small P & S digitals.
> > No bounce or other adjustments on this model. Range doubles
> > from the camera's 11' to 22'.
> >
> > 2) Use my existing external electronic flash(15 yo). I would
> > need a shoe conversion attachment to the tripod mount
> > and some kind of electronic trigger interface with the
> > Canon 'wireless' trigger. I would then have 30'+ range
> > and bounce available. I realize that this will require
> > manual adjustments to camera and flash.
> >
> > Can the pros or experienced amateurs here recommend any
> > reliable sources or links? Is #2 even worth it? Am I
> > forgetting anything else? Are there any other options
> > at reasonable cost to consider? Thanks.
> > Post or reply to rbeldon at niu dot edu
>
> You understand the pros and cons correctly. While 2 will give you
> additional capabilities, they come at a cost of manual adjustments. Or
> maybe not, if your camera has a manual exposure mode, and your external
> flash(es) have an Auto mode where they calculate their exposure
> themselves.
>
> The one piece you don't seem to know yet is that there are special slave
> units for use with compact digital cameras. These special slaves ignore
> the camera's "pre-flash", which ordinary slave units respond to. One of
> these solves your triggering issue conveniently.
>
> Lisa

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

mort wrote:

> Hi,
>
> The Metz 28 CS-2 Digital is a great little slave flash unit, that "learns"
> to avoid any preflash or focus beam, after just 1 trial flash. It is silver
> colored plastic, small, and has a built-in folding bracket with screw for a
> tripod socket. It works very nicely, and is readily pocketable.

$129
<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=detai...;
This seems more suitable for a camera without a hot shoe though I agree
it's more useful off-camera anyways.