Canon Speedlite 155A Flash, A Perfect Match for the AE-1

When I inherited my father's 1978 Canon AE-1, he had already misplaced the flash he purchased for it. I have attached some cheap flashes to it with unsatisfactory results. Most of my photos were blanched white in the center. While looking at expensive dedicated flashes for my wife's DSLR, it occurred to me that Canon may have had made one for this AE-1.

I was surprised that I could find one online in great condition under 20 USD including shipping. The Speedlite 155A was made to be matched with both the A-1 and the AE-1. When turned on, the extra contact points activate the modes that match for both cameras. For the AE-1 in particular, the camera is set automatically to 1/60s no matter what speed selected on the dial. On the flash, there are three modes: Green, Red and Manual and an ASA (ISO) dial. On the front is a sensor much like that of a LC-A+, which the flash receives reflected light with and makes sure the appropriate amount of light is used.

First, you should dial the ASA (ISO) on the flash you are going to be shooting. This dictates the aperture the flash will dictate to the AE-1. Next is choosing the GREEN-MANUAL-RED modes on the flash.

• GREEN is used from 1/2 meter to 3 meters of shooting range. This assigns a more narrow aperture.

• MANUAL makes the flash behave like a non-dedicated flash.

• RED mode is used from 1/2 meter to 6 meters with a more open aperture.

To give you some examples, I shot Lomography Color Negative 100 film. When dialed in on the flash, RED mode was f/2.8 and GREEN is f/5.6. It recommends using GREEN when you want depth of field. RED is for when a subject is farther away or if you really want your subject to stand out from the background.

I was really apprehensive when I was shooting with it for the first time. I thought so many of my pictures would be washed out or so narrowly focused. It is still an older piece of electronics so I did not expect perfection, but I was honestly pleasantly surprised!

Here are examples of GREEN (1) vs RED (2)

Here are fill flash situations with no flash, GREEN and RED:

I find the flash as an awesome compliment to my AE-1. It's worth every penny! I can now take my primary camera to parties and nighttime situations without ridiculously high-speed film. Here are some other pictures that I took on the roll in different situations:

Aloha!

This is a review submitted by Community Member neanderthalis

geschrieben von neanderthalis am 2012-11-16 in #Ausrüstung #test #review #canon #hawaii #flash #dedicated