The first line of our Flash and Lighting class is “Using a flash can improve your pictures immediately…” It’s true, no matter how much sensitivity a camera can achieve through increased ISO; a flash adds light in a way that can enhance the overall image.
Unfortunately most folks use a flash to dump a bucket of light on a scene. It’s dark, so pump up the flash! The result is washed out faces that look like they were caught in a spotlight or party pictures where the subjects seem to be floating in a black tunnel.
The key is control, being able to add the right amount of light without overwhelming the ambient light that sets the mood. Though most cameras have a built-in flash, it’s the addition of a hotshoe mounted flash that can really make the difference. Each camera maker has a range of flashes available, but what if a photographer wants the added benefit of flash without paying a premium price? Then we turn to so-called after market flash brands.
There are dozens of flash brands on the market and I have used many of them over the years. However I keep coming back to the Promaster brand flash time and again and the latest EDF series looks to keep my attention focused on Promaster.
The Promaster EDF Flash series is composed of four flashes of various output power. From lowest to highest power they are the 2500EDF, 7200EDF, 7400EDF and the 7500EDF. Though there are several differences between the four models, the most significant is the power output range which is from a Guide Number of 66 on the 2500 up to a Guide Number of 138 on the model 7500. (Find out more about Guide Numbers HERE)
The most important feature of the Promaster EDF Flash line – the firmware on each flash can be upgraded to match the latest editions of cameras on the market. Until now, a flash was able to perform on any of its compatible contemporary cameras, but when the next generation of cameras came out the flash wouldn’t work because the camera maker changed the programming in the camera body. With the EDF flash series the flash itself can now be upgraded for a small fee so it will work with your next DSLR.
The EDF line of flashes are all dedicated to specific brands: Sony, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Samsung. Though the firmware can be upgraded when necessary, the brand compatibility cannot be changed. In other words, a 7500EDF for Canon will always only work on a Canon camera and the 7500EDF for Nikon is the same way.
Let’s start out today with a look at the 2500EDF and the 7200EDF.
The 2500EDF is a fairly basic flash model. The flash head tilts so it can be used as a bounce flash, it has an autofocus assist light and a Guide Number of 66 as mentioned above. What does the 2500 bring to the table over a camera’s built-in flash? Foremost it brings more power – about half again more power than a built-in flash. Power is a good thing, but perhaps the greatest advantage is that the flash is further removed from the lens thus all but eliminating red eye. Controls on the flash are minimal so the flash behaves as the camera tells it to.
The 2500EDF is aimed squarely at the entry level DSLR photographer who wants better pictures but doesn’t want to fiddle with settings. The small size means that it is easy to add to almost any camera bag, and at $69.99 it’s half to one third the price of the camera manufacturer flashes.
Working our way up the chain we come next to the 7200EDF flash. The 7200EDF is a larger flash body compared to the 2500 models. This larger and taller flash increases the distance between lens and flash even more than the 2500. With a Guide Number of 100 the 7200 flashes boast a 40% increase in power.
The 7200 has a tilt head for bounce flash and the standard red autofocus assist lens. Like the 2500 flashes there aren’t many controls on the flash beyond the power switch; meaning flash functions such as flash exposure compensation are controlled on the camera body.
While the 7200EDF doesn’t add any controls over the 2500 models, it does bring more power and the taller flash body. The 7200’s will be favorites for more advanced family photographers looking for even better flash exposed pictures. The still friendly $139.99 price remains affordable compared to the much higher priced camera brand flashes.
On Wednesday we’ll look at the 7400EDF and the 7500EDF flashes and we’ll have remarks on the actual performance of all four flashes.
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