Question about flash!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rob Bixby on December 8, 2009 at 8:11pm

Either of these flashes will perform very well for you. With the TTL capabilities of your camera, a 3rd party flash often will not work properly. But, Vivitar is a very high quality flash and I have never had a compatibility problem with their products. As far as a diffuser, I use Sto-fen. They are very small and provide a good light for a very reasonable price. The selection for a diffuser is a very personal choice and you'll get a different recommendation from nearly everyone you ask. Good luck in your search.

Rob

Permalink Reply by Eduardo Salazar Vega on December 8, 2009 at 8:29pm

thanks bob

Permalink Reply by Deborah Marie Butcher on December 8, 2009 at 10:54pm

I'd take Canon a hundred times over a Vivitar !

Permalink Reply by Eduardo Salazar Vega on December 9, 2009 at 4:52am

why? any particular reason or just the brand?

Permalink Reply by Richard Crowe on December 9, 2009 at 8:04am

I have the 270EX and it is NOT an all around flash in any respect. It cannot rotate so it is difficult to bounce when the camera is in the portrait position. SHOOTING STRAIGHT ON CAN GIVE YOU RED EYE SINCE THE FLASH IS QUITE CLOSE TO THE LENS AXIS. Is quite underpowered and the only controls that are available on the flash are on and off. All other controls are accessed through the camera and only cameras of 40D and later vintage have any more controls (such as high speed flash) than just plus or minus exposure. I use my 270EX as fill flash for outdoor shots because it is so light that I can carry it on the camera all day without worrying about weight.

If you are dead set on the 270EX which I hope you are not, think about a Joe Demb Flip-It Junior flash diffuser which works just great with this little unit.

The Vivitar is a good unit but, the technology is quite old. It doesn't have high speed sync, TTL or ETTL exposure control and this flash also doesn't swivel whicis a PITA when trying to bounce in the portrait position.

For an inexpensive full featured flash for any Canon DSLR, I recommend a used 420EX. It is a great flash and if later on you wish to upgrade, the 420EX can be used as a slave wit a 550EX or 580EX.

Permalink Reply by Eduardo Salazar Vega on December 9, 2009 at 8:11am

Thanks for your comments. They were really helpful... Are you sure that Vivitar does not have TTL? It is advertised as it has it... at least the DF383...

Permalink Reply by Matt Needham on December 10, 2009 at 8:18am

It says it has TTL, but not ETTL. There is a difference.

The bounce and swivel design of the Vivitar is superior to the Canon 270EX (assuming that size isn't an issue). I think it's neat that the 270ex has that pop-up for bouncing, but swivel is nice, and even the few extra inches in height make a difference (for instance get the flash 6"+ from the lens axis and no more red eye).

The ETTL operation of the Canon will work much better on auto than the TTL operation of the Vivitar. TTL means the flash is assessing the in-camera meter, and makes a judgment on flash power. It may do a pretty good job, and get within a stop or so. That's fine for neg film, which has quite a latitude for sloppy exposure. It'll drive you crazy with digital or slides where more accuracy is needed. TTL is several decades old technology. It also can easily be confused when bouncing the flash.

ETTL fires a low power pre-flash and bases the power adjustment on that. It's much more accurate, and works great when bouncing.

So it's a hard call. If you want the flash to work in auto I think you've got to go with the Canon. Or save up for the 430exII and get the best of both. You might be able to find a deal on the older 430ex mk. I, or on a used flash.

I think it's interesting how folks place a lot of emphasis on camera bodies and lenses. I find the image quality differences between $150 lenses and $1000 lenses, and $1000 cameras and $5000 cameras to be fairly subtle. But the difference between a $150 flash and a $350 flash can have a big influence on image quality, or at least how easy it is to achieve good image quality. If someone took away my fancy gear, and made me shoot a wedding with an entry level DSLR and kit lens, I'd still get the job done and take decent pics. If someone took away my fancy Canon flashes I'd cry! The job would then be much, much more difficult.

Permalink Reply by Eduardo Salazar Vega on December 10, 2009 at 8:24am

Thanks! I really appreciate your comments!

Permalink Reply by Stephen Joe Payne on December 21, 2009 at 12:47pm

See my note on the other reply but I am using an EX-270 with the Zeicos ZE-HD270 diffuser and I find it works quite well. You have to remember to turn it on separately and I know how silly that sounds but you do get very used to the flash on automatic or at least getting a warning in the viewfinder for the SX-10. Stephen

Permalink Reply by Stephen Joe Payne on December 21, 2009 at 12:44pm

I just added a Canon 270EX to my other flash units and I like it very much. I bought it from Amazom and a kindred pop-up suggested a diffuser in the Zeicos ZE-HD270 for $9.15 so I added that. I am very satisfied with both and I use it mainly on my Canon SX-10 as I use the other flashes with my Canon Digital Rebel 350. I don't think you can go wrong with this choice. Stephen

Permalink Reply by Sean on December 21, 2009 at 8:59pm

I have the Vivitar DF383 as a back up flash, works fine is noisy as #^%# when the flash adjusts for the zoom it is extremely loud. My 430 makes some noise but nowhere near as much as the vivitar. The light it gives off is fine and the metering is fine as well. Oh and the refresh rate is pretty slow, it can make the difference between getting the pic and not.