EF-20 flash with off-camera cord

[River Dog]

On a recent shoot the onboard flash unsurprisingly ate the batteries. I have a Jubilee street party on Monday and love the X100 TTL flash for fill, but cannot see me getting through the event with the camera batteries.

I came across an article about using a cheap copy of the Canon OC-E3 E-TTL cable (which appears to be X100 TTL compatible) and the EF-20 unit as an off-camera option, whilst maintaining TTL. The cable will allow me free movement as the EF-20 doesn't rotate horizontally and I want to do more portrait work with the X100.

I have ordered the items. The cable won't be here in time for Monday but the flash will, so I intend to buy plenty of AA batteries and rig a bounce card with an elastic band as I have done successfully on other camera/flash combos.

I'll post some shots if they turn out as I hope. Anyone else tried this setup?

 

[Snacks]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116991

QED

 

[River Dog]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116991

QED

Thanks, I didn't find this thread, obviously. 🙂 Looking forward to playing with it.

 

[zwarte_kat]

Have it, works, like it.

 

[MCTuomey]

i've used corded off-camera flash on my M-bodies and dSLRs, using it mostly as fill. just picked up another SF-20 the other day to replace one i cracked on pavement. i prefer the contax TLA-100 cord with the M's because it comes off the left side of the shoe-mount, rather than off the front, like canon's and nikon's. sometimes i attach a wrist strap to the flash so my left hand is free when i need it (flash just hangs from my wrist).

 

[kzphoto]

i've used corded off-camera flash on my M-bodies and dSLRs, using it mostly as fill. just picked up another SF-20 the other day to replace one i cracked on pavement. i prefer the contax TLA-100 cord with the M's because it comes off the left side of the shoe-mount, rather than off the front, like canon's and nikon's. sometimes i attach a wrist strap to the flash so my left hand is free when i need it (flash just hangs from my wrist).

Sir, you have just made my day,week and month. I need to find one of these cables!

 

[Snacks]

Thanks, I didn't find this thread, obviously. 🙂 Looking forward to playing with it.

Don't forget to post photos!

 

[River Dog]

Don't forget to post photos!

No problem. Should be with me early next week.

 

[kdemas]

Sir, you have just made my day,week and month. I need to find one of these cables!

Same here! I happen to have that cable and I'm going to try it in about an hour. WooHoo!

 

[kzphoto]

Kent,

I'm convinced you own or have owned most every camera I have ever lusted after! You have all the neat cables too!

 

[kdemas]

Kent,

I'm convinced you own or have owned most every camera I have ever lusted after! You have all the neat cables too!

Ha Kevin! I've had more than my share! In particular I went nuts on Contax stuff as they were going belly up.

KD

PS- Guess what I got fixed, speaking of Contax? Glad I got it back when I did, needed help 🙂

 

[River Dog]

UPDATE: The Canon OC-E3 compatible cord I ordered does not work on the X100, firing the onboard flash instead of the EF-20. There is a longer cable on sale at Jessops, so I may go and try it in the store, if I can.

Shame, but the EF-20 on-camera has produced some good shots so I'll stick with it. To be honest, coping with the cable might be a bit of a leap for me right now.