Which third-party speedlights work well with Canon E-TTL, zoom, and auto modes?
Asked 12/20/2010
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I’m choosing a flash for a Canon EOS Rebel XSi and want a third-party speedlight that works reliably with Canon. The key features I need are E-TTL, auto exposure support, and motorized zoom, with features roughly comparable to a Canon Speedlite 430EX II. Which third-party brands or models are generally considered the most reliable for Canon compatibility?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Sigma flashes will do as claimed, so I think you're safe there. The only downside, from my experience, is that the interface for them is less then stellar. However, other than that, the flashes are very good.
Another, which is a cut above Sigma, is Metz. If Metz has claimed support for Canon, the flash will do what is advertised for it, the company has a long history and produces good gear.
So, caveat time, I don't shoot Canon, I shoot Pentax. However, I have a Sigma flash and a Metz ring flash and both work great for me. So, I am extrapolating the experience there, but given that, I have little reason to doubt either. Pentax is a lesser known quantity versus Nikon or Canon, so if they got P-TTL working, I'd imagine that the similar from the big two were less of a problem.
Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Among the third-party options mentioned, Sigma and Metz are the strongest recommendations.
Sigma flashes are generally considered to work as advertised with Canon compatibility, including the core features you want such as E-TTL and zoom. The main drawback noted is that their user interface can be less intuitive than Canon’s.
Metz is described as a step above Sigma in overall quality and reliability. It has a strong reputation, and if a Metz flash is listed as supporting Canon, it’s generally trusted to deliver the advertised functionality.
So if you want a third-party flash close in capability to a 430EX II, Metz would be the safer pick, with Sigma also being a solid option if you’re comfortable with a less polished interface.
As with any third-party TTL flash, it’s still wise to verify that the exact model explicitly supports Canon E-TTL/E-TTL II for your camera system.
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