Flashes for Canon AE-1

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My wife has a Canon AE-1 and wants a flash for it for Xmas. I've done a little research but am having difficulty with understanding compatability for various flash models and her camera. As far as lenses go, she has a 50mm f1.8, a 28mm f2.8, and a 80-200mm f4.5. I would appreciate any recommendations of bouce capable flashes in the $50-$100 range. Any advice appreciated. Ryan

-- Ryan Smith (ryansmith@nyc.rr.com), December 10, 2001

Answers

I have an AE1 and I bought a vivitar 283 for it $45.00(ebay), New they run about $65.00 (B and H photo) It has a tiltable head for bounce. the flashes made by canon for that camera, to my knowledge, did not have bounce capabilities. The canon flashes will set the f stop for you, the vivitar will not.

-- David Presson (davpress@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001.

Canon's 199 and 299T flash will fit the bill but will be $$$. Both work well in auto mode - the 299T has the most features (swivel as well as program capability)

Have a look at this link for the manuals: http://www.canonfd.com/choose.htm

I also have both the Vivitar 3500 & 4600. These go for about 1/3 to 2/3 of the price of the equivalent Canon units. The 4600 also has different flash heads of varying power and capability. These units automatically set the body to flash mode if you get one with the correct Canon module. (Sometimes a used unit will have a module for a different brand - it may still work but you will lose the auto functions).

I'm not familiar with other manufacturers such as Metz and Sunpack but I'll bet they have similar products.

Cheers,

Duane

-- Duane K (dkucheran@creo.com), December 11, 2001.


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