G2 - Hotshoe flash

[Tom4]

Happy New Year all.

Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie shadow reduction.

I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

 

[eg #37159]

Happy New Year all.
Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and
if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors
flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie
shadow reduction.
I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being
able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

Yes, many people here use the G2 with an external flash. Usually the Canon 420EX. It is a BIG improvement over the internal flash.

If you plan on using an external flash other than the Canon EX speedlights, make sure of two things: 1) It has a trigger voltage no greater than 6v and 2) that it has some way to vary its output either manually or on its own, as the camera can only control the EX series.

Look around this forum, many people have posted samples.

 

[Mike K]

For indoor use, an external flash used in the bounce mode works wonders, its a HUGE improvement in natural lighting. The most popular flash is a Canon 420ex as it retains the eTTL fuctionality, but others can work; most will fire at full intensity only.

The following is a good website with information on Canon G-1 flash use, all of the information also applies to the G-2, exceptions are noted. Follow all of the links to additional pages.
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/g1faq.html
Mike K

Happy New Year all.
Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and
if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors
flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie
shadow reduction.
I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being
able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

 

[Bill Trimble]

I've used the Canon Speedlite 420EX with my G1 for about two months now and like it very much. It has both horizontal and upward bounce features. Sometimes I stick a diffuser cap on top and get a much more even light for some kinds of shots. The 420EX is far superior to the internal flash.

Happy New Year all.
Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and
if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors
flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie
shadow reduction.
I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being
able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

 

[johnnybee #76417]

Happy New Year all.
Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and
if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors
flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie
shadow reduction.
I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being
able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

You must get an external flash, that is why you bought the G2 (for the hotshoe). I've been testing flashes. I thought exactly like you, get a cheap flash to use. Problem only Canon flashes work in full auto on the G2. Vivitars don't work at all. Only Sunpak flashes work in the auto (settig on flash) G2 set on manual. I use the 444D with the non dedicated shoe. It is kind of big but I already had it from my 35mm days. I can bounce, use softening devises, even an umbrella. I also bought an L shape braket for $14 bucks to take the weight. The Canon 420 is $180. Too much for my wallet, and it does not take external power sources like the Sunpak.--johnnybeeG2king

 

[Tom4]

Happy New Year all.
Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and
if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors
flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie
shadow reduction.
I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being
able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

You must get an external flash, that is why you bought the G2 (for
the hotshoe). I've been testing flashes. I thought exactly like
you, get a cheap flash to use. Problem only Canon flashes work in
full auto on the G2. Vivitars don't work at all. Only Sunpak
flashes work in the auto (settig on flash) G2 set on manual. I use
the 444D with the non dedicated shoe. It is kind of big but I
already had it from my 35mm days. I can bounce, use softening
devises, even an umbrella. I also bought an L shape braket for $14
bucks to take the weight. The Canon 420 is $180. Too much for my
wallet, and it does not take external power sources like the Sunpak.
--
johnnybeeG2king

Many Thanx..Tom

 

[Yu-Lin Chan]

I agree with you that the flash in general are way too expensive. I am using an old Image flash gun that comes with a bracket to put the G1 on, so I don't have to hold the G1. I only use it for bounce in manual mode. I am pretty happy about the results.

Here is one I took with the manual flash:

Happy New Year all.
Has anyone recently used the hotshoe flash facility on the G2 and
if so what were the results like. I find the options for indoors
flash useful, ie tungsten, flourescent etc but it lacks control, ie
shadow reduction.
I was considering buying a flash with the angle option thus being
able to "bounce" the light to reduce shadowing, any comments.
Great site and Top marks for the G2.
Regards.. Tom

You must get an external flash, that is why you bought the G2 (for
the hotshoe). I've been testing flashes. I thought exactly like
you, get a cheap flash to use. Problem only Canon flashes work in
full auto on the G2. Vivitars don't work at all. Only Sunpak
flashes work in the auto (settig on flash) G2 set on manual. I use
the 444D with the non dedicated shoe. It is kind of big but I
already had it from my 35mm days. I can bounce, use softening
devises, even an umbrella. I also bought an L shape braket for $14
bucks to take the weight. The Canon 420 is $180. Too much for my
wallet, and it does not take external power sources like the Sunpak.
--
johnnybeeG2king