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Category: Camera Flash Troubleshooting

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Red-Eye, the Elan 7E, and the 420EX Flash


OK, I have been using the Canon Rebel G for about 8 months. I LOVE it but I wanted something a little better so I just purchased the Elan 7E. I have been using the 420ex flash for my Rebel G for months. All along the Rebel G with the 420 EX has been still lighting the red-eye reduction lamp. This is not the case with the Elan 7E. I notice that the Elan 7E's red eye will not work once the flash is attached. I called Canon and they told me that the camera's red eye never works once a flash is installed. (I'm not crazy, it does with the G). So, if this is the case, do I lose my red-eye reduction because I use the flash? What suggestions do you have if any to help me get around this?
Thanks


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July 30, 2001

 

Jon Close
  I don't think you need the red-eye reduction lamp when you use the 420EX. The flash head is moved away from the lens axis, greatly reducing the effect. The 420EX can also be used to bounce flash which totally eliminates red-eye.


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July 30, 2001

 

Bunny Snow
  While I have not used the 420 EX as yet -- it just came-- I never had any problem with red eye with any camera I previously owned.

You can turn the light up to the ceiling and bounce it onto the subject, or bounce it off a white wall onto the subject, hence no red eye. With my Nikon FM3A, Nikon FE, Pentax K-1000, and all the way back to my Mamiyaflex C-2, I rarely ever shot with the flash on the camera, instead I choose to use the flash at a 45 degree angle from the camera as a fill-in light, or to create directional lighting if none was there in the first place (like on a flat, overcast day without any shadows). If the subject is turned away from the light, but towards the camera, light would cross their body (in the case of a woman) and add modeling, plus just enough light to put a catch light in the eye, without creating red eye.

Now, I have a question with my brand new Elan 7e and the 420 EX (which arrived today), do I need to order the 'Off Camera Shoe Cord 2' (which is only 3 feet long when fully stretched and
used mostly for flash bracket) to remove the flash from the camera and create directional lighting, as well as put
a catch light in the eye? Or, is there another method? I have not even opened the box, as yet.

Also, is there a bracket that would allow me to shoot at a 45 degree angle to the subject and create directional lighting....that is, short of a separate light stand?

Thanking you in advance.


--
Visit my web site at:
http://BunnySnow.us


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December 09, 2004

 
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