Camera shop tells me the flash isnt compatible?

[akshatp]

So I went to the shop where I bought my camera for a quick tutorial on how best to use the flash I just scored on CL. The guy there says "it will work but its not a digital flash and I may see mixed results."

He said the Speedlite 550 EX was made for film cameras, and the info from the digital sensor on the XSI will not be relayed to the flash and i should look for a SL 430 or SL 580 flash.

He then took some shots, and did say the flash seemed to be giving good results, so he may be mistaken.

Any thoughts?

 

[PurdueRy]

http://www.the-digital-picture...lite-Flash-Review.aspx

Considering they specifically mention the digital rebel and it ADDING features(to that camera because the camera itself lacked EC) I doubt there is a compatibility issue. It uses E-TTL which I believe it the same thing they use now.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.the-digital-picture...lite-Flash-Review.aspx

Considering they specifically mention the digital rebel and it ADDING features(to that camera because the camera itself lacked EC) I doubt there is a compatibility issue. It uses E-TTL which I believe it the same thing they use now.

Ahhh thank you thats the information I was looking for. Also found this little tidbit:

I'm sure I didn't encounter every possible flash situation, but from my observations, the 580EX is not significantly better than the 550EX for exposure control

 

[angry hampster]

He's full of crap. To best learn how to use it, go shoot. Play around with the tilt and swivel. Look at how different shadows are created with different settings.

Also, read these links:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907

 

[corkyg]

The camera shop guru was simply annoyed because you did not buy the flash from them. That guru is now a candidate for Thanksgiving turkey stuffing.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

What in the heck? That is one extremely confused camera shop owner...

 

[randomlinh]

SL, wtf?

The 550 doesn't adjust for crop factor in distance I don't believe, but that's easier enough, and I don't usually even bother with it (generally shoot manual with it, TTL hates me)

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
SL, wtf?

The 550 doesn't adjust for crop factor in distance I don't believe, but that's easier enough, and I don't usually even bother with it (generally shoot manual with it, TTL hates me)

The SL took me a while to figure out.

Speed Light

Instead of calling it a 580EX speedlight the sales guy must have said the full (but not often used) model number - SL 580EX

 

[arrfep]

Everything you will ever need to know about EOS Flashes, and then some.

 

[akshatp]

Thanks guys. Sorry about the confusion with SL, but yes it indeed was my lazy way of saying Speedlite lol