flash photography help?

I would not recommend using that flash on your cameras hotshoe, or by an flash cord, you could fry your camera. Also a sheet will not reflect that much light, it will absorb most of it. You can try getting some cheap V2 flash triggers from ebay. Or you can make the jump to Alienbees cybersync trigers which are about $60 each for a trigger and receiver. An umbrella only costs about $30, dont get one bigger than 43 inches. White with a removable black back is good. Then you will need a light stand about $45 and an umbrella bracket, about $13.

This could be a tough one to answer. Yes, theoretically, you can use your 283 with the xti. You will need to set your camera manually, and of course set the flash.

The diffculty is that some older flash units, designed for film cameras, have a higher voltage associated with them than digital cameras can safely use. Most digital camera hot shoes can only use flashes with a 6v or less voltage. Many older flashes (and your 283 could be one of those) have 12v or more at the hot shoe.

If you have a way of mesauring that voltage, that would help. Here is a little information.

http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/a...