does the focusing point in the viewfinder of eos300 light (red) when it achieves focus? i notice that sometimes when i use the a-dep mode,the shutter speed and aperture value disappear in the viewfinder for several seconds,why? what's ETTL?will eos300 perform ETTL with non-dedicated (non-canon) flash? Thank very much

-- legnum (legnum212@email.com), August 27, 2001

Answers

First question: sadly, no. i don't know why this feature isnt included. the in-focus point is indicated by the little focusing point chart at the bottom of the viewfinder.

Second question: i don't know.

Third question: E-TTL is Canon's newest flash metering system usuable on the new bodies, including the EOS 300, ONLY with canon speedlights that end in "EX" such as 550EX. It uses a short pre-flash to measure reflected light and instantly adjusts flash output to create what it considers to be proper illumination. i've never used an EX flash, but i've heard that the "pre-flash" is not noticeable at all. E-TTL also provides the apparently handy features of Flash Exposure Compensation (separate from the camera body's exposure compensation), Flash Exposure Lock (also like the camera body) and high speed flash sync. Here is a pretty thorough discussion of pros and cons.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0006Wn

-- peter bg (pbg333@hotmail.com), August 28, 2001.

Legnum,

>does the focusing point in the viewfinder of eos300 light (red) when it achieves focus?

No (as Peter rightly says). The reason is due to cost. The EOS 300/Rebel 2000 is an entry level camera, and cost is by far the most important factor the company was concerned with. You must pay almost twice as much for a body, and step up to the Canon A2e (EOS 5?) or Elan 7E (EOS 30) to get the red LED indicators in the viewfinder. On the EOS 300/Rebel 2000, you must content yourself with the little LCD display at the bottom of the viewfinder.

> i notice that sometimes when i use the a-dep mode,the shutter speed and aperture value disappear in the viewfinder for several seconds,why?

Sometimes? It probably occurs every time. A-depth mode is a program mode for automatically calculating & implementing a shutter speed & aperture combination which will give you the depth of field zone that you select. It functions by first focusing on your fore-ground that you wish in focus, and then the mid-ground/back-ground area you want in focus. The third press, focusing on your primary subject, then gives you the proper focus distance, shutter speed & aperture – if it’s within the lens’ capability.

>what's ETTL?

Well covered by Peter, and his suggested web link.

>will eos300 perform ETTL with non-dedicated (non-canon) flash?

No. It must be a dedicated EX flash unit. There are several models, with various price points & features.

-- Hung James Wasson (HJWasson@aol.com), August 29, 2001.