I recently purchased the Canon G-1 digital camera. I am looking for information about the right flash to purchase. I am not able to aford the 380ex. I have heard that the Sunpack 355AF may be a good option. My shots will be primarily people pictures, indoors. I would prefer an automatic flash (zoom too). I am looking for a flash that doesn't look like you used a flash. I guess we all are. I appreciate your input. Thank you.

-- Oscar B. (nealspectorpc@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001

Answers

The G1 insists on using an E-TTL compatible flash. As far as Canon Speedlites are concerned, that limits you to the EX series. A 220EX is a bit less than the 380EX but doesn't have a zoom or tilt head.

As far as non Canon brand flash units you are still limited to E-TTL compatible units. There are very few of them, none of them cheap. I don't believe the 355AF is one of them.

This is the one thing about the G1 that I don't like. Non E-TTL flashes simply will not work in TTL mode with it, so older E or EZ series Speedlites won't work. Your only other options are to get a non dedicated flash unit like a Vivitar 283 or Sunpak 383. These use the old "auto flash" method of exposure control, where the light sensor is in the flash unit. They're not as easy to use though and much more difficult to get a balanced fill flash ratio that looks like it was done without a harsh flash.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), January 10, 2001.