Speedlite 430EZ and Powershot G2

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I just purchased a Powershot G2 and have a 430EZ. The user's manual does not list the 430EZ as a compatible flash (perhaps due to its lack of E-TTL?) I'm not sure how to use the 430EZ to get optimal results with the G2. Has anyone use this combination? Would you just recommend a trash the 430 and purchase a (compatible) 420EX. Thanks.

-- Paul Gneco (gnecop@hotmail.com), October 22, 2001

Answers

It's a no go. While newer EOS film cameras can use E-TTL, A-TTL and TTL flash, the Canon digi cams work only with E-TTL which the 430EZ lacks (something to do with the old TTL 3-zone flash meters measuring light bounced off the film??).

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), October 22, 2001.

TTL flash works by measuring the light that bounces off the film surface. A-TTL is a somewhat useless variant. E-TTL, on the other hand, works by sending a test preflash and measuring the light using the camera's usual light metering system.

Since digital cameras don't have film, TTL and A-TTL metering (Canon's E and EZ series flashes) doesn't really make sense. Only EX flashes, which support E-TTL, are meant to work properly with Canon's digital cameras.

These pages may be of interest:

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/G1strobe.html

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/ETTL1.html

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), October 23, 2001.


I have a Speedlite 380. Not all the features of the speedlite work with the G2. i.e. Fill flash works fine with the camera but not when the Speedlite is attached. ...Rich 925.824.1773

-- Rich Young (rich.young@eds.com), April 27, 2002.

I' ve made several tests sequence (shutting down both units between the each test sequence) with both the G2 and the EZ in Auto mode, but the results are erratic: sometimes the 430EZ switch to A-TTL (issuing a pre-flash when the G2 is focusing and calculating the exposure), and other times the EZ switch itself only to TTL... I've tried several times, and I've not been able to determine why it is to one mode or another...

-- Xavier Chopin (mr_x@belgacom.net), May 14, 2002.

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