Dear Forum members Which of today's Speedlites can still be understood by my ageing (but still reliable ;-) EOS 1000FN a.k.a. EOS Rebel SII ? I'd like a high (>40) GN number, AF via IR, zoom, tilt/swivel/fill-in of course, but I fear my camera won't understand E-TTL or the "second shutter blind" stuff now available. Not much point in buying the 'latest and greatest', if my camera body can't use most of the possibilities.

All suggestions welcome, including non-Canon brands.

Thank you very much.

-- Paul Deus (paul.deus@pandora.be), August 20, 2001

Answers

Speedlite 540EZ flashes are still available new, I believe. Or you could pick up a 430EZ flash used. It's probably more than adequate for your needs by the sounds of it.

What do you mean by "AF via IR" though? Do you mean the near infrared assist light on the flash itself? It's actually visible red light, and both the 540EZ and the 430EZ have it.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), August 21, 2001.

It's actually a deep red and many manufacturers call it "near" IR.

Your camera will do second curtain sync, by the way, with the Canon 540EZ as well as with a used 420EZ and 430EZ.

A new 540EZ is a rather expensive option for an old EOS 1000. I'd look for a equally old 430EZ. If you got either the 430EZ or 540EZ you would have Flash Exposure Compensation to take advantage of. I wouldn't recommend a 420EZ since it doesn't have FEC. If you had a 5/A2 or somthing else with FEC built into the body the 420EZ is a good deal though.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), August 21, 2001.

I used to use a rebadged Achiever 600 on my 1000FN until the flash fell apart :-) I bought a used Canon 430EZ Speedlite and kept on shooting.

Have you also considered the Sigma flashes dedicated for Canon autofocus cameras? The specifications and price point seem very competitive. See: http://photograph yreview.com/reviews/flashes/

Cheers

-- Julian Loke (jul.loke@home.com), August 22, 2001.

Thank you all for your constructive advice.

-- Paul Deus (paul.deus@pandora.be), October 10, 2001.