450D and Speedlite 533G?

Does anyone know if it is possible to use my brother's old Speedlite 533G on the XSi/450D?

Would I be in danger of damaging either camera or the Speedlite trying? Would there be many restrictions on use because of incompatibility? Are there many differences in todays flashlights and older units such as these?

I have no experience using external flash units at all and would greatly appreciate any insights on this!

Thanks,
Martijn

ximul said:

Does anyone know if it is possible to use my brother's old Speedlite
533G on the XSi/450D?

Click to expand...

I own one and use it on my 300D/DRebel.

No compatibility problems, except of course that all the advanced E-TTL2 functions don't work, and you use the flash sensor instead for exposure (covers roughly a 85mm-eq frame, I was told).

I really like its power and seperable flash unit, allowing to do off-camera and/or bouncing quite easily. In a word : recommended.

OK, that sounds encouraging! My biggest worry was damaging camera or flash, but that appears to be OK then...or have there been changes to the Rebel's external flash system since the 300D? But I think I might try this out over the coming weekend...

Thanks!

Martijn

ximul said:

or have there been changes
to the Rebel's external flash system since the 300D?

Click to expand...

Yes there have been some : since the 400d (and 20d I think), the strobe circuitry stands 250V instead of just 6V as with mine, so it's rather unlikely that you fry your camera.

NikoJorj said:

... No compatibility problems, except of course that all the advanced
E-TTL2 functions don't work,

Click to expand...

Must use it in M or Av modes, matching the ISO and aperture settings to those on the speedlite.

NikoJorj said:

and you use the flash sensor instead for
exposure (covers roughly a 85mm-eq frame, I was told).

Click to expand...

The head of the 533G will cover the view of 35mm lens on 35mm film or 1Ds/5D camera. That's good down to 22mm on 1.6x crop DSLRs. There were wide angle adapters for this speedlite: Wide Adapter 533G-24 and 533G-20 for use with lens focal lengths of 24mm (15mm on 1.6x crop) and 20mm (12.5mm on 1.6x crop).

The user manual for this and other FD-era cameras and accessories can be found at http://www.canonfd.com/choose.htm .

Lemming51 said:

Lemming51 said:

and you use the flash sensor instead for
exposure (covers roughly a 85mm-eq frame, I was told).

Click to expand...

The head of the 533G will cover the view of 35mm lens on 35mm film or
1Ds/5D camera.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't very clear, I was talking about the flash sensor (thrystor), which should see most of a 85mm (24x36) frame.

The direct flash itself covers well a 35mm frame, I agree.

Thanks again for the tips-the unit is complete in its original box, including manuals and the 533-24 wide-angle adapter.
I will have to get batteries for it though.

Martijn

This evening I tried the 533G and it's working fine-it's great to be able to bounce the flash of ceiling or walls and get a nice, soft light. The settings suggested Lemming51 work fine-thanks again!

Most of my photography does not require flash, it's mostly zoo photography and I'd hate to fire a flash into the eyes of an owl or cat or whatever! So, I didn't have the intention of buying an external flash. But this 533G will do nicely for other occasions-it certainly beats using the onboard flash!

The only problem I still have is with the camera bracket-the ridges on the front that fitted the A1 just do not work with the deeper, rounded shape of the 450D, and I may have to do some modding-removing the ridges-unless I can find another solution. The camera is just 4mm. too big and it sits on top of those ridges. But the metal that bracket's made of looks mighty tough though...

Update: I did not need to remove the ridge after all.

This afternoon I took a drill to the bracket and lengthened the groove for the tripod screw towards the rear of the bracket so the camera can sit a bit further back, and the bracket can now be used as intended.
I'm really happy with the combo now!

Martijn

I use the flash in manual on eos 50d and 350, on the 50d is recognized and automatically sets the speed.
--
Enzo