Flash reviews for 10D

[ricky]

Anyone with knowledge on 'good' flash systems for the 10D?
Was thinking abt the 420EX or 550EX; then a friend told me Metz better.

Anyone with more qualitative recommendation; ie what is the diff, pros and cons...

thanks.

[StreetShooter]

420EX is idiot-proof on the 10D and is powerful enough for 95% of applications. It's also probably the cheapest of all 3 options.

Metz allows you to use "auto" mode, which is not a necessary option on the 10D (it was useful on D30 and D60 due to inconsistent exposures using E-TTL).

[ivor]

I agree with StreetShooter, unless you are making a living with Photography, otherwise 420EX is more than enough for 10D.

In fact, my instructor is using 380EX, and he claimed that it is good enough for him. It's all sum up to your requirements. Don't always need to follow the trend.

[mylau]

Originally Posted by ivor I agree with StreetShooter, unless you are making a living with Photography, otherwise 420EX is more than enough for 10D. In fact, my instructor is using 380EX, and he claimed that it is good enough for him. It's all sum up to your requirements. Don't always need to follow the trend.

i use the metz 60 CT4 on the 10D. very fast recycling time. good for shooting fashion shows, where actions are fast.

very powerful too! i can shoot a stage performance by firing from the gallery.

[ricky]

thanks all who had contributed - good differing perspective I am sure all new 10D owners would appreciated.

just to clarify about the "auto" mode on the Metz - is this to say that the Canon flash have to manually set?

[mylau]

Originally Posted by ricky thanks all who had contributed - good differing perspective I am sure all new 10D owners would appreciated. just to clarify about the "auto" mode on the Metz - is this to say that the Canon flash have to manually set?

no lah...

the ETTL on the canon flash is even more auto than the 'auto' mode in metz.

[StreetShooter]

Originally Posted by ricky thanks all who had contributed - good differing perspective I am sure all new 10D owners would appreciated. just to clarify about the "auto" mode on the Metz - is this to say that the Canon flash have to manually set?

Mylau is right. With 420EX, just fix flash to hotshoe, switch on and start firing. If outdoors remember to set to High Speed Sync. That's ALL.

The "auto" mode on the Metz means that the flash (instead of the camera) will "automatically" decide when to cut output. You may have to fiddle with some settings on the camera to get it right.

[sequitur]

the canon speedlite series have e-ttl but metz don't. yes metz claims they have e-ttl too but it's really a "fake" e-ttl.

face it e-ttl is a copyright from canon, they won't release it to any flash maker and lose their business on their own flash.

yes a flash with GN 40 is really far enough to illuminate any subject 40m away. (duh)

Here's a thread in DPreview forum on the how Metz 'fake' Canon's E-TTL mode and how to tell the difference between the two - basically, Metz's so-called E-TTL mode would not work with an Omnibounce attached unlike Canon's which would.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=5947279

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by sequitur yes a flash with GN 40 is really far enough to illuminate any subject 40m away. (duh)

not true unless you use a F1.0 lens. To get the flash coverage, divide the GN by the aperture of the lens used.

[Tweek]

Originally Posted by sequitur yes a flash with GN 40 is really far enough to illuminate any subject 40m away. (duh)

duh?

[reflecx]

Originally Posted by mpenza not true unless you use a F1.0 lens. To get the flash coverage, divide the GN by the aperture of the lens used.

You forgot that's only at ISO 100. At ISO 800, I can use F2.8 and reach 40m too.

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by reflecx You forgot that's only at ISO 100. At ISO 800, I can use F2.8 and reach 40m too.

yup with a flash extender, probably can reach further still

[darkness]

Originally Posted by Tweek duh?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I tot GN is always quoted at f/1, ISO100, and *usually* at max zoom of the flash (think 105mm?) ??

[wacko]

Originally Posted by darkness Correct me if I'm wrong, but I tot GN is always quoted at f/1, ISO100, and *usually* at max zoom of the flash (think 105mm?) ??

mpenza's definition is spot on.

[maxim]

mylau

how fast is fast recycling time with the 60ct4 ?
are you at manual full power output ?

I am most interested in fast recycling for my flash shots
maybe I will get the 60ct4

[sehsuan]

Originally Posted by darkness Correct me if I'm wrong, but I tot GN is always quoted at f/1, ISO100, and *usually* at max zoom of the flash (think 105mm?) ??

how often do you see a f/1 lens? the closest i know of (i'm sure there's more) are canon's FD f/0.95 and the standard sets of f/1.2 lens from many lens makers...

[darkness]

Originally Posted by sehsuan how often do you see a f/1 lens? the closest i know of (i'm sure there's more) are canon's FD f/0.95 and the standard sets of f/1.2 lens from many lens makers...

The idea here is that if you lens if not f/1, then just divide the GN accordingly to the number of stops you are losing compared to f/1. E.g., f/2 = 2 stops from f/1, so divide GN by 2^2 = 4 (correct me if I'm wrong here ).

[sehsuan]

uh... once someone gets started about the ^2 thing, i get lost. but you got the idea la

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by darkness The idea here is that if you lens if not f/1, then just divide the GN accordingly to the number of stops you are losing compared to f/1. E.g., f/2 = 2 stops from f/1, so divide GN by 2^2 = 4 (correct me if I'm wrong here ).

nope. there's no "squaring". It's just GN divide by aperture, not number of stops from F1.0.