Digital camera accessories

[randaaf]

I wanted to find out how much difference there was between the Canon speedlite EX flashes and the off brand ones that are supposed to be the same? I would only use the external flash on occasion mostly when I am using the add on lenses and wanted to find out if it makes that much difference between spending @ $50.00 vs 200-300$ or more. And if getting a Canon flash is the better choice which one is the best route to go, there are so many to chose from. I am in the process of putting my lenses and flash attachment from my Sony on ebay and plan to use that money to buy a flash and to at least help pay for the add on lenses for my new camera. Thanks

[bdery]

Hi,

there are so many choices that it's hard to give an answer that will work for all flashes.

To get the full potential out of the camera-flash combination, be sure to select a flash that has a real ETTL metering (that's Canon's standard, other brands have their own names for it). Auto flashes work well enough, but do not communicate exposure information with the camera, and thus will not take into account EV compensation, filters, etc.

The best thing to do, I think, would be to search the web for user feedback on a specific model you have in mind. There's bound to be someone, somewhere, with an opinion about that flash. Giving you more specific advice would be like shooting in the dark, as there are too many options out there.