Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!houxm!hogpc!rwp 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ihnp4!hogpc!rwp