Non Samsung Flash (Canon Speedlite 550ex)

[GuinnessPint]

I have a Canon Speedlite 550 ex flash that I'd like to use with my NX300 .

Has anyone had luck getting this working or can point me to any info on getting this working

Seems like a waste to purchase a new flash and leave this collecting dust

 

[otto k]

Don't have 550ex but shutter or manual mode on camera with shutter speed 1/160 or slower and flash on manual (sorry, no TTL). That's it.

 

[ttbek]

Don't have 550ex but shutter or manual mode on camera with shutter speed 1/160 or slower and flash on manual (sorry, no TTL). That's it.

Yeah, it's kind of annoying that we can't get the 1/180 with manual flashes because the shutter speed skips that value unless the camera is communicating with a flash, which it can't for the none Samsung TTL ones.

For the OP, it should work just like that, the 430EX definitely does, as does the Metz 58 AF-1 Canon version, both flashes made for use with Canon. You miss out on some of the expensive features TTL, HSS, but it still works. Does the 550 have an "auto" none TTL mode like the Metz flash does?

 

[Ceedjay]

Hi

It Is not answering the first question but pertaining shutter speed with nonTTL flashes I just received a Yongnuo YN560III and it works at 1/200th of a second with my NX30 when on hot shoe.

Cheers
Jay

 

[GuinnessPint]

Thanks all..I'll test it out this weekend and see.. I know the last time I spent time on this the flash would not fire at all with the Samsung and still worked great on my old Canon (of course)

There are a lot of settings on the 550ex so I'm sure there is a way to get it to work, but it sounds as if I may be better of to find a Samsung specific one especially if I am sticking with Samsung and getting the NEX500 in the near future.

 

[ttbek]

That's because the sync speed on the NX30 is 1/200, the OP has the NX300 though, which has a sync speed of 1/180. NX30 is also when Samsung introduced HSS and wireless flash into the NX system.

 

[ttbek]

If it's not firing at all on the Samsung, then try cleaning the contacts on the NX300 and make sure that your shutter speed is 1/160 or less. This may mean using shutter priority or manual on the camera and you should definitely be using the manual mode of the flash, unless it has a non TTL auto mode. In that case you will still need to enter some information into the flash (e.g. what f-stop and ISO you are using).

 

[William Hubert]

Flash is the weakest area that Samsung has. They dont make a flash unit themselves and the few they offer are very expensive and hard to find. What is the purpose of having a proprietary system if you don't actually broadly support it?

I have the Canon 550 EX and use it on manual with the NX 300 and NX 30. Set camera to manual, select shutter speed and aperature. Then set the flash in mNual mode. There you can change the amount of output to as low as 128th of full power. Use an aperature that gives you the exposure you want at a partial power setting. This way the only variable is on the flash itself, so just change it as you shoot and review. will you get every shot, no, but it is a powerful flash with great adjustment of the head to allow for indirect flash.

This works fairly well and inspired me to get a used 580 EX, which adds an External flash monitor sensor right on the front of the flash. Using it in the correct mode will automatically control the flash output. With that in operation, now my only variable is controlled. If I want then for further adjustment, I typically will use the aperature control on the camera. This system results in a larger percentage of keepers, but of course does not equal what can be done with TTL.

 

[ttbek]

What exactly do you mean about Samsung not making their own flashes? There was speculation that Metz makes the SEF580A, but as far as I know nothing was confirmed 100%, the evidence does point that way though. They had several other flashes before that though and if Metz made the SEF580A, then I'm surprised it didn't work on my NX300. Actually I was surprised regardless. Anyway, I hadn't heard anyone say Samsung didn't make the pre SEF580A flashes though.

That mode you say the 580EX has, that's the auto mode I was asking if the 500EX has, I guess not then. It's really useful on my Metz 58. It indeed can't do all the tricks of TTL, but it's system agnostic and gets good single flash exposure.

 

[Ceedjay]

Hi !

I just bought a Yongnuo YN560III (with built-in RX receiver) for 60€ : unbeatable for the price, works flawlessly with Samsung nx30. With an RF603C (version 2, very important !), it is a joy to use. Manual only, but with a bit of time, you get used to it.

Cheers.
Jay