Digital camera accessories

[Rob Jensen]

Gail (or whomever),
I am interested in getting a slave flash unit for my new S2 IS.  From some of the online forums, it seems unclear to me whether I need to get a more expensive programmable type (for dealing with pre-flashes), or whether a cheaper "dumb" type would be sufficient.  I looked at the Canon web-site, but couldn't get any details on the unit they offer for sale.

Has this question been definitively answered?

Side note, like Gail, I owned a Panasonic FZ3 until just the past few weeks.  I loved the camera, but the pre-flash on that unit was a problem.  A significant portion of my flash photos involved squinting subjects.  The delay between the pre- and main flash was just right to cause problems...at least with my family and my particular camera.  The S2 IS seems to be a vast improvement in this area, and it also provides a little extra creative control.

Thanks for any answers,
rock8rob

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Rob and welcome to the Q&A Board!

I rarely take inside photos so I use the little flash that I got for my Nikon (SB30) which works like a slave flash. I've heard a lot of good about the Vivitar DF200 made especially for digital cameas. It supposedly "learns" whatever digital camera you're using. I know some S2 users who seem to like it. I haven't tried it so I can't say from personal experience.  

Here's some information about slave flashes:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-slave-flash/index.htm

Sometimes I really miss my FZ3, but I concur about the flash. It's a great entry level 12X zoom camera which takes excellent photos in proper light. I just found that it didn't have the level of sophitication I'm looking for after being into photography for more than 30 years.