Beginner Flash advice

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Phils0_1

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Phillip
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Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site and new to Photography. Although i've had my Canon EOS450D for some years i am still unsure of how to use it properly, its functions etc. My question is, " I'd like an external flash and am looking to get a Cobra 700AF however, in its description it says Cobra 700AF Dedicated Autofocus Flash For Canon EOS Film Camera /. " Will this work with my camera which is SLR?

Thanks.
 
Hi
No it won't work. Though I'm guessing if you're looking at that flash, your budget is limited.
What's your budget, and what do you want a flash to do?
 
Check out the Mcoplus MT600C these can be bought from about £45 new and work great with Canon, they have ETTL and manual. Be wary of using old flashguns from film cameras, some had a very high trigger voltage and could "fry" a digital camera.
 
Have a look at a Godox TT350c, very good has TTL, manual and works as a wireless transmitter if needed
 
Cobra 700AF.... that must be around 30+ years old as I bought one for my 1st Pentax camera before I could afford the AF500FTZ.

Check out the used Canon EX flashguns like the 430 etc, or as other suggest Godox or Nissin etc, Lots of options for less than £100.

Mind you if you get the Cobra and it fries the 450D it won't cost much to replace the camera...
 
Thanks guys. I wont bother with the Cobra 700AF. I found it on eBay, it was only £5 plus £3.95 postage and it didn't sell, The guy said he found it while clearing out his fathers loft and doesn't think it has been used. At the moment my budget for a flash gun is has low has possible has i am new to photography and do not want to spend too much, just in case I don't take to it has i hope i will but i will stay on here has if i can get any pointers to get the best from my Canon eos450D who better to has that the guys who know, you guys on this website.
Thanks for you help and advice, Any pointer will be gratefully accepted.
 
Phils0_1 said:
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site and new to Photography. Although i've had my Canon EOS450D for some years i am still unsure of how to use it properly, its functions etc. My question is, " I'd like an external flash and am looking to get a Cobra 700AF however, in its description it says Cobra 700AF Dedicated Autofocus Flash For Canon EOS Film Camera /. " Will this work with my camera which is SLR?

Thanks.
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IMO.. you're attacking this from the wrong end. Why do you want an external flash? What are you trying to achieve?
 
Hi again,
I'm trying to achieve a better quality picture in low light outdoor areas and assume an external flash gun would be the best way forward. All i seem to do with my camera is turn the top dial onto the little green box, point it at what i want a picture of and press the button, yet to me i think the eos 450D has more potential and i'd like to learn more and get better pictures.
 
Phils0_1 said:
Hi again,
I'm trying to achieve a better quality picture in low light outdoor areas and assume an external flash gun would be the best way forward. All i seem to do with my camera is turn the top dial onto the little green box, point it at what i want a picture of and press the button, yet to me i think the eos 450D has more potential and i'd like to learn more and get better pictures.
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welcome to the start of your photographic journey :)

a flash might help, but it might not. a flash can help if you're photographing people quite close to the camera, if they are far away or you're thinking of illuminating a whole scene then a cheap flash on its own won't really help. if you're photographing a scene then a tripod or a way to keep the camera's position fixed and use the camera settings to keep the shutter open longer would help more.

if you didn't already, check resources for starting off and the manual for the camera concentrating on controlling aperture, shutter speed and iso to begin with.
 
Firstly I am not a Canon user, however, I have had good results with Godox flashes and they are relatively cheap for what you get. Check this one for compatibility with your camera ?
www.ebay.co.uk

Godox TT685C 2.4G 1/8000s E-TTLGN60 Wireless Speedlite Flash Canon C TT685 | eBay

Godox TT685C 2.4G HSS 1/8000s E-TTL GN60 Wireless Speedlite Flash for Canon Cam. Slave-ready indicator: Two ref indicators blink. Support for E-TTL II autoflash, 1/8000 high-speed sync, flash exposure compensation, flash exposure lock, modeling flash, etc.
www.ebay.co.uk

I am sure some Canon users will be along with more detailed advice.

Like yourself I was initially disappointed with my on Camera Flash and wanted to experiment without spending a weeks salary, so I bought used and had a lot of fun learning and experimenting !
 
Phils0_1 said:
Hi again,
I'm trying to achieve a better quality picture in low light outdoor areas and assume an external flash gun would be the best way forward. All i seem to do with my camera is turn the top dial onto the little green box, point it at what i want a picture of and press the button, yet to me i think the eos 450D has more potential and i'd like to learn more and get better pictures.
Click to expand...

On-camera flash outdoors is often disappointing.

On the other hand - there's a lot to get your head around with off-camera flash.

I suspect starting with that now will just add confusion. I recommend you learn about the different modes (e.g. Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, auto ISO), different metering modes (matrix vs spot) and exposure compensation before going any further. Michael Freeman's book 'Perfect Exposure' is a good, clear and thorough introduction.
 
If you go down the Godox flash rout, as you progress any other good equipment you buy will work together . They are probably your best cheap flash option. For low light a faster lens will also help. For this have a look at Canons legendary 50 f1.8
 
Any third party flashguns designed for Canon film cameras may have compatibility issues when used on a digital camera. My old Sigma flash would fire but the E-TTL would not function correctly on my 450D.
 
I used to own the 450D, good camera. Personally, I would suggest that you learn how to use it before buying a flash, but that's just me.
 
Phils0_1 said:
... All i seem to do with my camera is turn the top dial onto the little green box...
Click to expand...
You need to learn more about the other modes, how & when you best use them. Green box is fully auto - you should end up with a well-exposed shot, but if the camera decides "wide aperture, high shutter speed" and what you wanted was "narrow aperture, low shutter speed" to capture (say) a waterfall then you'll be disappointed.

Suggest P mode as your first foray away from green box mode and use the wheel that's probably by the shutter release to vary the shutter speed / aperture balance.

Personally I own 3 flashguns but I'm not sure why - never used any of them more than 2-3 times in 35 years
 
How about trying a few pictures of a small item near a window and use a piece of white card or paper to reflect light back onto it to show what difference it makes - a flash can be very useful but seeing how light affects your subject is way more useful in learning how to see and maybe plan images.
A lot of us have an on-camera flash, many don't use them often as a direct light source..
 
The OP hasn’t been back since their mid May post, I’m not sure there’s any more help necessary.
 
Phil V said:
The OP hasn’t been back since their mid May post, I’m not sure there’s any more help necessary.
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My excuse is nothing to do with age, stupidity or even failing to read things properly - totally down to limited internet on a Greek island. ️
 
troutfisher said:
Have a look at a Godox TT350c, very good has TTL, manual and works as a wireless transmitter if needed
Click to expand...


OP, this it a pretty good flash for a beginner as it only requires 2x AA batteries, small and light. I use the Sony version on my A6600 and it works very well, plus it can be a slave and trigger for other Godox flashes.

My first DSLR was a silver 450D, and I loved it, though it was very limiting in its capabilities, However that is a good thing as it forces you learn how to over come limitations like lack of AF points points and poor ISO performance.
I learn so much while I own the 450D which help me a lot when I purchased my next DSLR a 7D which seem like having a pro camera !

Other flashes to consider on Used market are Canon EX 430 Mkii
 
Although the thread is old, one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the possibility of seriously damaging a modern camera even by just testing an old flash on it.

Simple to check though before trying it on the camera.
 
Sangoma said:
Although the thread is old, one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the possibility of seriously damaging a modern camera even by just testing an old flash on it.

Simple to check though before trying it on the camera.
Click to expand...
I mentioned it in post 4 but it's a point worth mentioned again.

As Steve say old flashes can fry a modern camera. I still have the original Metz 45 while this was a cracking flash in it's day when on my film cameras if you put your hand on the camera hot shoe (the flash is plugged into the cameras flash socket) in the wet you got a heck of shock off the hot shoe, it was over a 120v if I remember rightly. Enough to cause me to use a few naughty words I can't use here and jump about. I know some flashes had a much higher trigger voltage.
With a decent new flash like a Mcoplus MT600C or the Yongnuo version (cant remember the number) available new from around £50 it's just not worth the risk of an old flash frying the delicate chips in your camera.

Edit just checked my Metz and it's nearly 600v not a 120. No wonder I swore a lot in those days.
 
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Tysonator said:
Godox & Yongnuo make enough cheap speedlites & Trigger / receivers making owning one or more very affordable !
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And also buying anything old a needless gamble.
 
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Phil V said:
And also buying anything old a needless gamble.
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indeed...

when I first purchased my EOS 450D i had a basic jessops flash that was non program, it just fired.
When I upgraded to 7D I purchased a 580EX Mkii ( in a sale ) and later a ( Used )430 EX Mkii and I have used the for well over 12 years and not had any issues,
However if I needed to buy today I would get Godox as they have the built receivers / triggers and a lot, lot cheaper than canon !

Plus all the accessories like brollies, softboxes, stands are dirt cheaper for Chinese knock offs via Amazon.
 
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