> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-eos@;a1.nl]On Behalf Of NK Guy > Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 12:11 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: EOS Sigma EF500 Super vs 540EZ > > > > On Thursday, October 31, 2002, at 11:46 AM, Chip Louie wrote: > > > The A-TTL pre-flash is red, not white, you can easily communicate this > > information with your all of your subjects before hand so they will > > know > > what to expect. > > The near-infrared flash tube is fairly innocuous, yes. But the 430EZ > uses a blinding white preflash from the main tube when the head is any > position other than straight on. These superfluous flashes are > distracting, and there are many occasions when it's not practical to > inform your subjects of what the flashes are for. Studio situations, > yes. Impromptu situations, often not. All these preflashes also > interfere with optical slaves. > > > On the Canon EZ series flash heads, A-TTL only works when > > the head is pointed directly at the subject. When you tilt the head > > up (for > > those that have this feature), the flash system is automatically put > > into > > TTL exposure mode. > > Again, this is true for the 540EZ but not the 430EZ. The 430EZ stays > in A-TTL mode, useless white preflash and all, when in Av and Tv modes. > Only in M mode does the 430EZ switch to TTL, which makes the 430EZ > considerably less useful than the 540EZ in my opinion. > > I really feel that A-TTL offers nothing substantial over plain TTL. > A-TTL adds a preflash used for approximating distance when used with an > EOS 1 or 600 series camera. Other than that all it does is stop down > the aperture somewhat when shooting in P mode. > > - NK Guy
Hi NK Guy, It's been a while since I've used a 430EZ but the preflash on the 430EZ is red as far as I recall. I'm pretty sure that it's documented as such in the Speedlight 540EZ Magic Lantern guide too. I don't recall there being a preflash when the head is not used in the direct mode. Of course this is fuzzy as I only had one for a very short period a very long time ago. Regarding preflash, I always communicate with my subjects in all situations and tell them about the red preflash and what to expect. I don't tell people that just happen into a frame for reportage style shooting, generally they are not paying attention to my flash and it makes no difference in how they appear on film. I'm with you on A-TTL vs. TTL, they both can produce basically the same results. I use TTL mode most of the time as I prefer to use a Lumiquest Big Bounce, Ultra-Soft or 80/20 on the 540EZ. Cheers/Chip * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
