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From: rwp@hogpc.UUCP (R.PAUL)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: RE: Dedicated Flash
Message-ID: <330@hogpc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Feb-84 10:30:44 EST
Article-I.D.: hogpc.330
Posted: Fri Feb  3 10:30:44 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 03:51:06 EST
Lines: 46

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Dedicated flash generally means that when attached to your camera, the 
dedicated flash will automatically set the correct x-synch shutter speed
(1/60 sec. for the AE-1).  Certain cameras (e.g. the Minolta X-700) which
have off-the-film-plane metering (OFP) for flash do have special metering
cells for metering the light of the flash and shut the flash off when the
"correct" amount of light has reached the film plane, but only if the flash
is a flash which is set up for this feature.  Many dedicated flashes for
these cameras are not.  In your case, it doesn't matter since the Canon AE-1
doesn't have OFP metering for flash.

There are several flashes which would serve your purpose.  Of course, you
can get a Canon flash, but its price performance will probably be at least
slightly inferior to that of at least two competitors which I will mention
presently.  Those competitors are Vivitar and Sunpak.  The flash number for
Sunpack is 422D (although it has two other models which are approximately the
same depending on your specific requirements).  I believe the Vivitar flash
is the 3500, but I don't have much experience with Vivitar flashes and  so
don't know if they've come out with anything since that model which would be
a better choice.

I'll describe the Sunpak 422D flash system since that is the one I am familiar
with (and own), but most of the description will probably apply to the Vivitar
flash, too.  The flash comes in two parts: the flash body and the dedicated
module to fit the specific brand of camera.  This arrangement makes it easy
if you have two different cameras, but only want to save money in buying a
flash.  By buying only one flash body and two dedicated modules, you can have
a flash for both cameras.  The price of the flash body and dedicated module
together should come to about $100 +/- $25.

The flash head tilts 90degrees vertically and 180 (or maybe it was 360)
horizontally.  Accessories available include: a filter set, a zoom attach-
ment, a bracket mount/extension cord/cable release (sold separately, but
all necessary to make good use of the bracket mount), an umbrella for soft
lighting, Nicads, several Nicad chargers, slave units, PC cords, and
probably much more that I am forgetting about.

This may sound like an advertisement, but it is merely the sound of a very
satisfied customer.  (I own the 422D and many of the accessories for my
Minolta XD-11 and X-700.)

				Rick Paul
				AT&T Information Systems Laboratories
				Lincroft, New Jersey
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