Is my Canon faulty?

[Mongwopman]

Yeah those are HELL expensive!!

Got any recommendations for me as im on quite a low budget whilest learning? I dont thin I need the best of the best even though I realise that it would make life easier.

[proseak]

You might take a look here -

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

It's mainly useful as a list of flashes to avoid. I use an old Philips P36TLS, plus two Vivitar 285s of similar vintage but I was lucky to get "digital safe" versions of the Vivitars.

[arith]

You could try this if your in the UK:

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...x-speedlite-2/

Or even this from Jessops High St; it works very well but is a bit flimsy.

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...7557/Show.html

If this goes to google choose Jessops 360AFD

Beware of Ebay since an at least 2 year old Jessops (similar to above) went for over £60 + postage.

[Donald]

Got any recommendations for me as im on quite a low budget whilest learning?

Firstly have you thought about editing your profile and putting your proper name under 'Real Name' then we would see who we're talking to. It's so much more friendly that addressing a username.

But to the point - and this is a very serious point for you to consider: Forget all about getting a flash unit at the moment.

You've just got the camera. You're on a steep learning curve that, to your great credit, you are tackling with gusto and enthusiasm (keep going at it). Taking on learning how to use flash is a whole different ball-game and requires a completely different skill-set.

My strong recommendation would be to learn and master what you've got at the moment. Once you can do everything possible with that then start thinking about expanding the equipment.

If you are anything like me, you have this hunger for whatever it is has come into your mind as the next thing you absolutely must have. For me, for a while, it was a Canon 24-70 L lens. Then it was a carbon fibre tripod to replace the perfectly good aluminium one I have and which I'm still strong enough to carry about strapped to my backpack. Each time I have managed to say, 'No'' I don't need those items.

So, really, really, ask yourself whether you absolutely need a flash unit at the moment, or is it worth holding off until you find out whether you actually want to get into flash photography, by when you might be able to afford a higher spec unit.

[Nass]

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

Eeek, that botzilla URL you've pointed at has some horribly old information in it. For example it gives the impression from an '03 post that Pentaxes are fine with strobes up to 600V - that might be the case for '03 SLRs but for '11 DSLRs anything above 20V will cook the camera (from pentax support UK who I phoned up about this 6 months ago). Bottom line if you're going to get an older flash google around and make sure you find some online examples of it working ok with your cam. You don't want to fry it =)

[proseak]

Here's one you might look at;

http://www.metz.de/en/photo-electron...formation.html

available from;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Metz-Mecabli.../ref=de_a_smtd

HTH

Peter

[Nass]

Colin is so spot on, manual flashes ARE A CHORE. Avoid if you can, you spend more time putzing around fiddling with stuff because of the flash than taking great shots.

And... you know what? Donald is right too. SO easy to get all excited and buy lots of stuff, then learn to use lots of stuff thinly thus badly. WAYYYYYYY better to stick to basics, get those right first then add stuff incrementally as and when you actually really need it and you've got the basics down.

That is of course if you're a wannabe camera geek like us. If you just want to take pix of kids for memories etc and there's some time limitation and not too fussed about becoming the next Ansel Adams, then of course by all means, enjoy your cam and get those great pix with whatever flash you manage to get =).

[proseak]

Eeek, that botzilla URL you've pointed at has some horribly old information in it. For example it gives the impression from an '03 post that Pentaxes are fine with strobes up to 600V - that might be the case for '03 SLRs but for '11 DSLRs anything above 20V will cook the camera (from pentax support UK who I phoned up about this 6 months ago). Bottom line if you're going to get an older flash google around and make sure you find some online examples of it working ok with your cam. You don't want to fry it =)

I looked further at the page that you got to -

"Wed, 06 Apr 05 at 06:22:29

hi,

Pentax (germany) informed, that the maximum-voltage for DSLR's *istD + *istDS is 30 Volt
Positive in the middle."

As I said earlier, it's mainly useful as a list of those older units to avoid.

[Mongwopman]

Thanks guys for all the info. I think im going to go with what Donald has said and just continue on my learning curve while I save up for a proper unit. I thin that should give me a decent window frame on getting a flash. My main reason for wanting a flash was because the build in unit on my 400d is broken so I currently have no flash and taking pics indoor is a mission.

Will see how it goes though.

@Donald, I have added my name to the real name and updated my location, thanks for the advise.