Speedlite 380EX Compatibility

I haven't got a lot of time to look this up today, so I'm asking here. Will the Canon Speedlite 380EX work with my 20D

and 30D the same way the 430EX and the 580EX or is it priced lower because it will not work on full auto with newer

cameras?

It will work, but it does not have as many features or adjustments as the 430 or 580.

You can also look over here:

<a href="http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00QOqS">380&ETTL-II question</a>

Awesome, I think I will go with the 380EX just due to the price of the 580EX. I basically only use a flash for outdoor night events, due to the fact that all of my lenses are 2.8 or less.

<p>As far as flash metering, it's the same. You'll lose some features that you'd have with newer and/or higher-end units, such as swivel (the 380EX tilts but doesn't swivel), crop factor compensation (if you use a 50mm lens, the 380EX will zoom to 50mm, even though the actual field of view is equivalent to 80mm and the flash really ought to select 70mm as a result), AF assist beam (the 380EX only covers the central AF point so you'll get no AF assist whatsoever if you manually select any of the other eight points or if you let the camera automatically select), and manual controls.</p>

Before buying it, take a close look at the differences. Are you sure none interests you?

 

http://photonotes.org/lookup/

 

Personally I'd consider the 430EX II as a bare minimum. Also note that it has a much faster recycle times, higher

GN and improved GUI.

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.

I think the 430EX would be a great buy, but I would be using the 380EX only as a backup if the 580EX from my office is signed out. I know I will feel underequipped, but it's more of a precaution.

 

Thanks for the help!

Will