slave flash for the S2 IS

[silvia33]

I once read about a slave flash for the S2 about 1/2 the price of the canon DC1. I cannot find where I read it.

Searching the internet I came across the Phoenix D92-BZS (at B&H) which sounds like a good buy.

Comments please.

silvia

[JTL]

I once read about a slave flash for the S2 about 1/2 the price of the canon DC1. I cannot find where I read it.

Searching the internet I came across the Phoenix D92-BZS (at B&H) which sounds like a good buy.

Comments please.

silviaYou could also use the Vivitar DF200 slave flash http://www.adorama.com/VVDF200.html with this bracket http://www.adorama.com/FABS.html?se...acket&item_no=1

It has a swivel head and has a much higher output than the HF-DC1...

Update: I just checked out that Phoenix flash and I believe it is the same flash that I own that was sold as the Bower SF 328AZ. It certainly looks identical. If it is, then it's a good unit...but the version that I bought did not come with a shoe bracket that I could attach to the camera, so I bought the bracket that I referenced above to go with it. I use this flash with both my SD500 and S2 and it works really well...

Tech pecs as follows:
Guide Number: 28m/92ft @ ISO 100
Bounce Angle: 0-90 degrees
Swivel Angle: 0-330 degrees
Angle of Coverage: Horizontal - 60 degrees, Vertical 45 degrees
Auto f/stop: F/2.8 @ ISO 100
Recharge Time: 4 seconds
Color Temperature 5600K
Weight: 7.4 ounces
Dimensions: 2.75x6.60x1.9"

Here's a picture of it next to the HF-DC1: http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/22892337-M.jpg

[abhinav]

Would a slave fire when master 'fails' to fire for some reason?

[JTL]

Would a slave fire when master 'fails' to fire for some reason?Not on the cameras that I've tried it with.

I should mention that it can be used as a regular flash on any camera with a hot shoe. Mine (the Bower) also comes with a "PC" connector so it can be used with cameras that support that method of triggering...

[silvia33]

You could also use the Vivitar DF200 slave flash http://www.adorama.com/VVDF200.html with this bracket http://www.adorama.com/FABS.html?se...acket&item_no=1

It has a swivel head and has a much higher output than the HF-DC1...

Update: I just checked out that Phoenix flash and I believe it is the same flash that I own that was sold as the Bower SF 328AZ. It certainly looks identical. If it is, then it's a good unit...but the version that I bought did not come with a shoe bracket that I could attach to the camera, so I bought the bracket that I referenced above to go with it. I use this flash with both my SD500 and S2 and it works really well...

Tech pecs as follows:
Guide Number: 28m/92ft @ ISO 100
Bounce Angle: 0-90 degrees
Swivel Angle: 0-330 degrees
Angle of Coverage: Horizontal - 60 degrees, Vertical 45 degrees
Auto f/stop: F/2.8 @ ISO 100
Recharge Time: 4 seconds
Color Temperature 5600K
Weight: 7.4 ounces
Dimensions: 2.75x6.60x1.9"

Here's a picture of it next to the HF-DC1: http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/22892337-M.jpg

The Vivitar is $20 more than the Phoenix. It comes with a bracket (which looks more substantial than the Phoenix and a table tripode. It seems to have more features, but the Phoenix recycle time is 6 secs and the Vivitar is 12.

I have no idea how to compare them and know which is "better". I'm willing to pay the extra if it is worth it.

Phoenix: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=311150&is=REG

Vivitar: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=VIDF200&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=293955

Thanks,
silvia

[silvia33]

The Vivitar is $20 more than the Phoenix. It comes with a bracket (which looks more substantial than the Phoenix and a table tripode. It seems to have more features, but the Phoenix recycle time is 6 secs and the Vivitar is 12.

Thanks,
silvia

The Vivitar site manual for the above says:

Recycling Time -
Alkaline - 0.5 – 8 seconds
NiCd or NiMH - 0.5 – 7 seconds

This closes the gap...

[dadof4]

If I am ready to take a shot with the slave flash and someone else fires the flash on their camera won't my slave flash fire? It seems this would be a big limitation of the slave flash. Am I correct?

Thanks
Rich

[Samegapiz]

Ok, a quick really thick question here -

I was sure the S2 didn't have a hotshoe - something everybody moaned about. So how come you can now add a slave flash

I'm think I'm missing the point somewhere. . .

[dadof4]

Ok, a quick really thick question here -

I was sure the S2 didn't have a hotshoe - something everybody moaned about. So how come you can now add a slave flash

I'm think I'm missing the point somewhere. . .

The slave flash is not connected to the camera. It is triggered by the actual flash from the S2. It senses the light from the camera's flash and fires.

[silvia33]

If I am ready to take a shot with the slave flash and someone else fires the flash on their camera won't my slave flash fire? It seems this would be a big limitation of the slave flash. Am I correct?

Thanks
Rich


The Vivitar says it has a switch to turn it "off" until needed. But yes, if you're in a room of taking pictures people (school function) the slave will flash when the other cameras do. The trick would be to turn it "on" just for your picture... I guess it is this or no additional flash - I think it's doable most of the time.

Thanks,
silvia

[St. Chris]

The S2 manual says that the slave flash may fire if another flash goes off nearby. It only senses the camera's flash -- there's no other data connection between camera and flash. The under-camera bracket seems to just be a convenience; I imagine you could just as easily leave the slave unattached and position it for a side fill.

[ajay67]

i wish they can make the flash with bounce head as compact as DC1 (or around 50% bigger). maybe from canon themselves? those featured here are as big as the camera itself which lessen the portability

[JTL]

I imagine you could just as easily leave the slave unattached and position it for a side fill.I do that exact thing all the time...firing four/five flashes simultaneously...postioned around a room or object...