I have a doubt regarding the usage of autofocus in a EOS 300 when a 380Ex is mounted on the body. Normally, the EOS 300 uses its built-in flash as a AF assist light (which can be irritating but seems to work fine). In case I want to shoot in low light with a body mounted 380EX flash, the AF-Assist light on the flash is used for the central focus point. But there does not seem to be anything available for the other six focussing points. My question is whether one is restricted by the design to using AF-lock for off-centre subjects in low light with a on-camera flash on this EOS300, or is there some other very evident choice that I am missing here?

-- Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay (shoubhik@lycos.com), February 07, 2001

Answers

You have found one of the biggest drawbacks of the 380EX (although some will complain more that it doesn't swivel). I use one on an Elan IIe, or did until I bought a 550EX. Using AF lock on an off center subject can result in throwing off the flash exposure, since it is linked to the focus point. The solution with my camera was easy, but I'm not 100 percent sure it is available on the EOS 300. Check your manual to see if Flash Exposure Lock is available. If it is, FEL will solve the problem as well as anything short of buying a 420EX or 550EX, both of which have AF assist lights that work with all focus points.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), February 07, 2001.