Using flash on camera

[Grey Ghost]

I have an old Canon 480, 460, 500 or something flash unit from the film days. I tried it last year on my 20d. Sometimes it would fire, sometimes not. I have no idea what settings it needs to be set on or my camera config. for it. Is there a way to make it flash every time? The other problem was with focus. Do you use manual focus in a dark situation? I was outside and it wouldn't focus or lock focus for crap. I have no experience with it as you can tell.

Thanks.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

I also had a 20D and it really struggled with low light focusing. It was always hunting, drove me nuts. You can switch to manual focus, but that's problematic for me since I can't see for shit anymore. (The avatar glasses are a novelty. I'm not THAT blind)

As for your flash, the trigger voltages on some of the Canon flash units are not compatible with some of the digital bodies. There's plenty of links out there to verify you're safe once you identify what flash you actually have. I've got the 550EX Speedlite and have used it on everything since I bought my first digital body the 10D.

Can't think of a reason your flash doesn't fire if it's mounted on the hot shoe. If your flash is on ETLL mode, and your camera is on Tv, Av, or P mode it should be firing. I've had a few 'Duh' moments where the flash didn't have time to recycle before the idiot behind the camera decides to take another picture. WTF! My flash didn't fire that time!

If I'm just taking pics for 'fun' like the pics from the Fireman's Ball I posted recently, I'll set the camera on ISO 400, P mode, ETLL on the flash, and let her rip. When you press the shutter release button, the flash fires a pre-flash to set your exposure. This pre-flash is so fast you can't see it. The camera then picks the shutter, aperture and the power of your flash based on the information the meter receives from the pre-flash. All this happens in an instant.

Av, Tv, and Manual modes are completely different animals when using a hot shoe mounted flash.

[Grey Ghost]

540EZ
Mode options = TTL, M, and Multi
Zoom - 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 80mm
Power switch - 0, 1, SE

[carlton_fritz]

Go manual on the flash.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

540EZ
Mode options = TTL, M, and Multi
Zoom - 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 80mm
Power switch - 0, 1, SE

It might work in Manual from the looks of this thread

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

This is an entire Flickr for the 20D