Two years ago my nearly new Canon A-2 was stolen (along with lenses and a flash which I think was the 540ez?). I am thinking about buying a new SLR system in the next six months. I liked everything about the A2 except the exposure readout in the camera. I understand the Eos5 is like the A2 but it had a clearer readout for exposure info in the camera viewfinder. But I have heard also rumors of incompatability with the Eos5 and the 540ez flash - that flash is only availible in certain "picture modes." The Canon website and photo.net have only sketchy info on this. Anyone know better? If not the 540ez, which flash should I consider? I often like to use fill flash and found the A2 reliable and easy.

Also, I liked the VG-10grip on my A2. Does the Eos5 also accept the VG10?

-- g. debord (gdebord@lycos.com), August 07, 2000

Answers

The EOS 5 has a superset of A2 features, including a manual exposure scale. Neither camera is 100% compatible with the 540EZ, they will never use the AF assist lamp on the 540EZ (or any other speedlite). The EOS 5 will use the 540EZ (or any other speedlite) in all exposure modes. The 540EZ is probably the best speedlite for the EOS 5.

-- Dave (dherzstein@juno.com), August 07, 2000.

The EOS 5 is the same camera but with a real meter for manual exposure mode. The A2e has only a + - indicator. The 5 also will pop up the internal flash automatically in the green mode and in some of the picture modes, when the available light is insufficient. There might be some other slight differences.

The 540EZ is the best flash choice for the A2e and works great in all modes. It will also use the A-TTL method of flash exposure when in P, Green and some picture modes. For Av, Tv and Manual it will use straight TTL. The difference rarely matters though and most advanced users will probably use the TTL method because they can better predict what the camera's going to do.

The only other flash to consider is the 550EX for considerably more money. It wont do anything more on your EOS 5, but if you decide later to get newer designed body (Elan II, 3, 1v), it will allow the use of the improved E-TTL metering scheme.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), August 07, 2000.

The EOS5 also excepts the VG10 Vertical Grip.

-- s. somers (s.somers@t-online.de), August 07, 2000.

A bit off subject perhaps, but I have heard that the 540EZ might be a bit heavy for the shoe on the EOS 5. Anybody have any problems with that? I think part of the issue was causing the pop-up flash contacts to stick. I'm in the market too.

-- Jim Lee (jimandkarla@hotmail.com), August 08, 2000.

A bit off subject perhaps, but I have heard that the 540EZ might be a bit heavy for the shoe on the EOS 5. Anybody have any problems with that? I think part of the issue was causing the pop-up flash contacts to stick. I'm in the market too.

The EOS 5/A2/A2E are all subject to the internal flash getting stuck in the down position. It has to do with the switches (2) under the hot shoe rails, not the size of the speedlite. In fact, the "official" speedlite for the camera is the 430EZ, not much lighter than the 540EZ.

-- Dave (dherzstein@juno.com), August 09, 2000.