External Flash for FZ7 vs Canon S2 IS

[GaryFx]

I'm used to using an external flash with a hot shoe and/or standard cable connection. Neither of the cameras I'm looking at (the FZ7 and the S2) have external flash ability, which means that if I wanted to use an external flash with either of them, I'd need a slave unit. I've never used a slave unit before, so I'm wondering what the issues are around it.

I'm leaning towards the Panasonic, which is why I'm posting here, but in doing my research, I've discovered the Canon has some flash synchronization settings that are absent on the Panasonic. Specifically, it lets you choose between first-curtain and second-curtain synchronization. If I'm understanding this correctly, this feature is primarily about the built-in flash, but it will influence a slave flash, insofar as you really want first curtain so that the slave flash fires while the shutter is open.

So here are my questions: Will the absence of this setting on the FZ7 mean that it won't work well with a slave flash? Would I be forced to invest in a high-end flash for digital cameras just to get it to work. Or conversely, would a low-end adapter for my existing hard-wired flash be likely to work? Are there any other flash related issues that I should worry about?

Many thanks,

Gary

PS In case anyone is wondering, external flash compatibility is not my most important criterion, so I've already ruled out the Kodak 850 and Fuji 9000, which I believe are the only competitors in this price range with hot shoes.

[genece]

Fuji 9000 ? in that price range?
Sunpack makes a flash handle that fires a slave that many report to work good with the FZ5 and 7.
If a flash is not your main concern as I guess are not movies either The FZ5 and 7 have it all over a S2 IS.

http://www.tocad.com/flash/diFlashAdapt.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=396592&is=REG

[GaryFx]

Oops, you're right about the Fuji 9000; I don't know why I keep making that mistake.

Thanks for that lead on the adapter. I had seen it before, but it seemed like a bit of a hack (in the older programming sense), so I didn't want to count on it until I could find some positive feedback from users. I guess at that price, it's worth trying anyway - if it works ok, it saves me the cost of buying a brand new flash.

Thanks,

Gary

[genece]

Hell maybe it is in the same price range.. look here


http://www2.buydig.com/shop/product....&sku=FJFPS9000




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