420ex - cheap alternatives for G3?

Anyone out there getting good results with much cheaper flashes than the 420ex? I'd love one but can't justify the cost for the time being, so was wondering what success can be had with non-dedicated thyristor units used in M mode and the like... I know trigger voltages are a problem (I have seen the list at http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html ) so want to know - is anyone out there using thyristor flashes confirmed safe (trigger voltage

Cheers for your input

Andrew Daniels
--
http://www.pbase.com/adaniels

Andrew,

My 3 second hand thyristor units work reasonably well in Manual mode but I prefer using the 420ex. I got these units to act as slaves to the 420ex. The 420ex gives consistant results with the ETTL metering but it is not perfect either. The thyristor flashes are not as forgiving.

The Vivitar 3700 has the correct trigger voltage but 3 contacts for the hotshoe. After removing the 2 extra contacts it works well in Manual mode. GN 130/40 ft/m, ISO 100

My Black's TDZ.120 is a Monoltra model and it also had 3 pins. GN 120/36 ft/m

My Achiever 115A/S has a trigger voltage > 6 VDC. By adding a 4049 inverter, a couple of resistors and a SCR internally, it now has a trigger voltage within Canon specs. It is a nice size for slipping into the pocket and can be used as a slave to the camera's builtin flash. GN 48/14 ft/m.

WIth camera in Manual mode and the flash set to Auto, a couple of test shots and your on your way.

Garage sales and second hand stores sometimes have great bargains on the thyristor flashes and after you get the 420ex, these older units can come in handy as slaves.

Cheers,
Paul

Andrew Daniels said:

Anyone out there getting good results with much cheaper flashes
than the 420ex? I'd love one but can't justify the cost for the
time being, so was wondering what success can be had with
non-dedicated thyristor units used in M mode and the like... I know
trigger voltages are a problem (I have seen the list at
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html ) so want to know -
is anyone out there using thyristor flashes confirmed safe (trigger
voltage
please. I was thinking that such flash units can often be found
going cheap secondhand in camera shops, but you don't know whether
a particular model will work consistently or not. The more I think
about it the more sensible an idea it seems, given that some of the
best flash shots I have had were from an ancient manual SLR with a
secondhand Minolta thyristor flash I picked up for a tenner.

Cheers for your input

Andrew Daniels
--
http://www.pbase.com/adaniels

Click to expand...

Andrew Daniels said:

...... much cheaper flashes
than the 420ex? I'd love one but can't justify the cost for the
time being, so was wondering what success can be had with
non-dedicated thyristor units used in M mode and the like... I know
trigger voltages are a problem .....

Click to expand...

You buy a G3 and begrudge the cost of a proper matching flash?

You can buy these second hand for a reasonable sum. TTL (and E-TTL) have great advantages, go for it.
Chris Beney

I totally agree. I was thinking about just getting a Vivitar 730 flash for $150 instead of spending $300+ on a 420ex. I went into the shop to try the both of them out, and I COULD NOT get the Vivitar to take a picture without overexposing the picture to the point where it was almost a wash out. The salesman and I tried everything. Then I try the 420ex, perfect on the first shot, I couldn't believe how nice the pictures came out even with the flash pointed straightforward!! Needless to say I'll be saving up and getting the 420ex once I have the money.

Chris Beney said:

You buy a G3 and begrudge the cost of a proper matching flash?
You can buy these second hand for a reasonable sum. TTL (and E-TTL)
have great advantages, go for it.
Chris Beney

Click to expand...

Chris Beney said:

You buy a G3 and begrudge the cost of a proper matching flash?

Click to expand...

No, I buy a G3 and have no money left for a proper matching flash! But anything is better than the internal flash on a compact-sized camera, as we all know, which is why I asked about cheaper options.

Chris Beney said:

You can buy these second hand for a reasonable sum. TTL (and E-TTL)
have great advantages, go for it.

Click to expand...

I bought a S/H naff-brand (Jessops for those who know!) TTL flash for my EOS 50e, but wasn't that impressed. Lots of washed out faces with that one... In the UK S/H 380ex and 420ex are almost non-existent, and in demand, so dear. You're better off getting one new and having a warranty if it breaks.

On the other hand, at the minute I'm in Japan where the 420ex is 24000 yen, or 130 quid, as opposed to the best part of 200 in the UK. If I can get a discount on that I would be sorely tempted... just in time for Xmas too!

Cheers for the input all

Andrew
--
http://www.pbase.com/adaniels

B&H has the 420ex for $175

-wayne

Andrew Daniels said:

Andrew Daniels said:

You buy a G3 and begrudge the cost of a proper matching flash?

Click to expand...

No, I buy a G3 and have no money left for a proper matching flash!
But anything is better than the internal flash on a compact-sized
camera, as we all know, which is why I asked about cheaper options.

Andrew Daniels said:

You can buy these second hand for a reasonable sum. TTL (and E-TTL)
have great advantages, go for it.

Click to expand...

I bought a S/H naff-brand (Jessops for those who know!) TTL flash
for my EOS 50e, but wasn't that impressed. Lots of washed out faces
with that one... In the UK S/H 380ex and 420ex are almost
non-existent, and in demand, so dear. You're better off getting one
new and having a warranty if it breaks.

On the other hand, at the minute I'm in Japan where the 420ex is
24000 yen, or 130 quid, as opposed to the best part of 200 in the
UK. If I can get a discount on that I would be sorely tempted...
just in time for Xmas too!

Cheers for the input all

Andrew
--
http://www.pbase.com/adaniels

Click to expand...

--
-Wayne

Andrew Daniels said:

In the UK S/H 380ex and 420ex are almost
non-existent, and in demand, so dear. You're better off getting one
new and having a warranty if it breaks.

Click to expand...

I bought both 420 and 550 in the UK by keeping an eye on the on-line Jessops national used equipment pages. Both prices were substantially cheaper than new and in very good condition, one was boxed complete and I think was merely shop soiled so with makers warranty, the other loose with no manual (you can buy them). Jessops have a 1 month return policy, so ample time to check out.
Chris Beney

Beware of old used flashes as their trigger voltage is often unpredictable and they have usually lost some flash power due to vibration and gas leakeage.

Get a Sunpak 383 Super. One heck of a bargain. Manual Exposure down to 1/16 power and three Auto thrystor modes. Flash head swings and tilits. No trigger voltage problems (as is often the case with Vivitars). No Flash zoom controls and no eTTL either but what do you expect for US$80?

Jorge