Greetings:

I recently purchased a Canon Powershot G2, 4 Megapixel digital camera that uses the EX series electronic flash via hotshoe. I use an EOS1 film camera with a 430EZ electronic flash and wonder if this flash (the 430EZ) may work with the G2 as well. I realize that it would be limited in function but my main concern is not melting or blowing up my G2.

Thanks,

Roy Cantu

-- Roy Cantu (natimg@pacbell.net), October 04, 2001

Answers

The 430EZ cannot be controlled by the G2, except (possibly) in full manual mode. The G2 (as all Canon digital bodies) has no off-the-film sensor and relies on E-TTL metering for flash control.

Would using a 430EZ "blowup" or "melt" the G1? Probably not, but you'll get no guarantee from me....

-- Dave Herzstein (dherzstein@juno.com), October 04, 2001.

Canon says that you can use E and EZ series Speedlites as manual flashes. They won't damage anything, but you won't get any automation or exposure control either. But you can control the exposure by setting the flash's power level and/or distance from your subject and by setting the camera's aperture. A clunky arrangement for a new digital camera. You really need an EX series Speedlite for the G2.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), October 04, 2001.