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G11 flash questions

Started Jan 16, 2010 | Discussions
HeathBar Junior Member • Posts: 28
G11 flash questions

I just came back from a trip to India and fully enjoyed my new G11 for travel. I got so many compliments on the quality of the G11 pics. I also purchased this camera for portraits of my kids indoors. I am an amateur photographer but professional artist/designer so I like creative shots. Can you suggest an external flash or hot shoe for beautiful portraits? What effects will the different types provide?

Thanks,
Heather

Joe Sesto Veteran Member • Posts: 3,084
Re: G11 flash questions...270EX ...bounce w/diffuser if needed (NT)
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Joe Sesto
1DIII-5D-G11

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dean dugger Regular Member • Posts: 203
Re: G11 flash questions

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

i use the nikon sb 800 and sb900 with my g11 and am very well pleased
strobist site is excellent
good luck
dean

Anchor72 Contributing Member • Posts: 995
Re: G11 flash questions

The easiest on Camera external flash is the EX-270 or the EX-230. Naturally, the EX-230 has better bounce capabilities. Multi flash possibilities are also available for portraits and the like.

Sarah Joyce

acipriano Regular Member • Posts: 435
Re: G11 flash questions

I use the Canon 270EX. The bounce feature makes a big difference.

My Canon 580EX performs better, but is physically to large for the G11.

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Anchor72 Contributing Member • Posts: 995
Re: G11 flash questions

'Sorry that EX-230 should read EX-430. My bad.

Sarah Joyce

Joe Sesto Veteran Member • Posts: 3,084
Re: G11 flash questions...2nd part of the OP's question

I missed the part about what "special effects" are available for the suggested flash?

What are you looking for? 2nd shutter sync is a camera menu selection. The 270EX was pretty much designed for the G11 and the flash basically just has a power switch. All the flash controls are in the G11 menu. The 270EX is pocket sized-2 AA batteries -

Sto-Fen and possibly others make a small dome diffuser for it. The $130 (USD) 270 has no white card deflector or built-in diffuser, but there are always handkerchiefs, white index cards and rubber bands for that.

The 430 and 580s have been mentioned, but they are huge in comparison to the G11. You might find the smaller 380EXs on the used market but they do not pivot either...and may not interface with the G11...I've never tested mine w/G11. The old 220EX was the smallest Canon flash, but it did not have bounce capability.

Sunpak, Quantaray (?), Metz or others may make some small bounce flashes in the $150+ range that might be of interest, but I haven't looked at them for over a year.

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Joe Sesto
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flexn
flexn Regular Member • Posts: 147
Re: G11 flash questions...2nd part of the OP's question

Have both the Canon 270 and Sunpak 2000D (I think) and prefer the Canon. I do like the exposure settings on the Sunpak too though, if money is tight, the Sunpak is 60 or 70 bucks via Amazon.com
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flexn
flexn Regular Member • Posts: 147
Re: G11 flash questions...2nd part of the OP's question
Susan S. Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: G11 flash questions...2nd part of the OP's question

380EX works really well with the G11. But as you say it only bounces, doesn't swivel.
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kms Regular Member • Posts: 307
Try the 580EX

Just in case you ever upgrade to a rebel or Canon SLR the 580ex is the best in my opinion. I shot an event as a volunteer with a G7, 580EX flash and a gary fong diffuser when my main SLR was in the shop and the photos came out fantastic. The combination of the flash, diffuser and G7 looked ridiculous but it got the job done.

Joe Sesto Veteran Member • Posts: 3,084
@ Susan Re: G11 flash questions...2nd part of the OP's question

When I bought my Pro1 back in 2004 I called Canon Tech Supp. and asked if the 380EX I had for my G2 would work on the Pro1. (IIRC the Pro1 manual said only the 220, 420 and 550s would work...whatever...it's been a while).

Tech said no you can't use it, it will damage the Pro1, blah, blah...and though I didn't use it often...it worked fine on the Pro1 and never damaged it.

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dgies New Member • Posts: 10
Re: G11 flash questions

Can the EX-270 be used externally, fired by the G11's built in flash?

Joe Sesto Veteran Member • Posts: 3,084
Re: G11 flash questions - external use

The 270 has just an on/off switch...no other controls. It is designed to be controlled solely by the camera.

I recall reading something about a flash bracket in the G11 manual, but I have no idea how that works with the 270, if it does.

dgies wrote:

Can the EX-270 be used externally, fired by the G11's built in flash?

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Jerrich
Jerrich Senior Member • Posts: 2,738
Re: G11 flash questions - external use

For those who haven't seen this pic, here's how the little 270 looks on my g11. The cheap off camera stretch cord should work, but I haven't received it yet; ebay order.

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230399244902

JR
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Nikon F
Argus C44R (gorgeous)
Fuji S100fs
Canon A20, A80, A710, A650, G11
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paratom Veteran Member • Posts: 3,019
Re: G11 flash questions

For me the 270EX works perfect on the g11.

Just the right size and weight, the posibility to swivel and use indirect flash makes a big difference. I wish Leica would offer such a flash too for the M9.

Jerrich
Jerrich Senior Member • Posts: 2,738
Re: G11 flash questions

Maybe the 270 will work on the Leica? Borrow one and try it.
JR
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Nikon F
Argus C44R (gorgeous)
Fuji S100fs
Canon A20, A80, A710, A650, G11
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chrissxan Forum Member • Posts: 87
Re: G11 flash questions

Another very good solution is sunpak RD2000.
It is working perfectly with G11 too.

wolfpuppies3 Senior Member • Posts: 1,747
On my G10 the Sunpak RD2000

works really, really well. Less than $100, tilts to bounce off the ceiling, uses a couple of AAs. Can't say enough good about it. Smaller by half than the Canon 270 and considerably less expensive. I do like Canon flashes and have two 580 EXs for my DSLRs but the whole point of the G10/G11 is small so the camera is more likely to be with you.

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Marcus314 New Member • Posts: 3
Re: G11 flash questions

The 270 has been working great. Yeah, it doesn't swivel, but I find that 'a better bouncecard' works great. I may look into the sync cable as well.

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