An excellent auto flash unit for Canon A and T-series manual focus SLR cameras (non-dedicated on EOS, plus some Fujifilm and Panasonic digital with standard hot shoe fitting)

• Canon dedicated flashgun
• Bounce and swivel head
• 28mm-85mm zoom facility
• Guide numbers up to 40m
• Two auto exposure modes
• Choice of eight apertures
• Two manual control options
• Thyristor for fast recycling
• For A-series, T-series SLRs
• Non-dedicated with EOS,
  some Fujifilm and Panasonic
  digital cameras with hot shoe
• Very nicely made, in Japan
• Includes Alkaline batteries

This Canon Speedlite 299T is a great flash unit for users of the classic Canon manual focus SLR cameras, and works on many others. It has a bounce, swivel and zoom head, is very powerful and fully dedicated with most Canon A-series and T-series manual focus SLR cameras including classics such as the A-1, AE-1, T70 and T80. It's also usable with non-dedicated operation on many other cameras including EOS film and digital models and many other digital cameras with a standard hot shoe such as the S9500, S9600, S100FS, S200EXR, Panasonic DMC-FZ10, FZ20 and FZ30, plus many others - see the Compatibility Information section below. This one's in nice condition and works well with only a couple of small issues (see the Condition section below), and comes with batteries.

The bounce and swivel flash head tilts up to 90 degrees and swivels 270 degrees for bounce flash in vertical or horizontal positions. Bounce flash gives much softer, more natural lighting than direct flash. The zoom flash head adjusts for 28mm and 35mm wide angle or 85mm and longer telephoto lenses (or the equivalent on other formats), giving wider coverage or greater range as appropriate.

Dedicated operation on all Canon A and T cameras, with flash ready indication shown in the viewfinder of suitable cameras. On models with program or shutter priority modes (see below) the aperture selected is transferred to the camera automatically, and on others you set it manually. Please note that TTL flash on the Canon T90 is not supported, and dedicated features don't work on EOS film or digital cameras, though the flash can be used with shutter speed and aperture set manually, in f/number set auto mode.

Fully automatic exposure control, in two modes - program and f/number set - depending on the camera and the user's preference. Program mode uses a pre-flash system that was innovative at the time, but is now widely used. This measures the distance to the subject before the exposure is made (with first pressure on the shutter release) and allows the flash to set a suitable aperture on the camera, giving you more depth of field for close ups, and longer range when required. The selected aperture is shown on the rear of the flash, and in the camera's viewfinder on suitable models (see below). The second mode (f/number set) allows the photographer to choose the aperture to use over a very wide range from f/2 to f/22, which gives an extraordinary degree of control. The aperture numbers on the rear of the flash are illuminated, so they can be read in the dark, which is a nice touch. This mode also provides auto exposure control with bounce flash, which program mode can't.

Powerful guide numbers vary from 40m (130 feet) at the tele setting, to 30m (97.5 feet) to 25m (81 feet) at wide angle, with ISO 100. The auto modes give theoretical ranges from 0.7-20m (2.3-65 feet), depending on the lens and film speed used. As with all flash units, actual range will depend on the conditions. Thyristor circuitry provides faster recycling at closer distances in auto modes. Manual modes are also available, with either full power for maximum range, or 1/16th power for shorter flash duration and faster recycling. Automatic fill in flash in daylight, which helps to lighten the shadows in backlit portraits. Slow Sync switch provided for use with the Canon A-1, T90 and New F-1, where flash can be combined with a slow shutter speed to better balance the background and foreground exposure, especially with night shots.

The control panel on the rear has film speeds from ISO 25 to 1000, apertures from f/2 to f/22, auto or manual exposure modes and zoom settings from 28mm to 85mm. Settings are illuminated to allow easy use in the dark. Ready light, auto check light and test button provided. The flash takes 4x standard AA batteries, including disposable alkaline (supplied) or rechargeable NiCd and NiMH types. Auto power off system shuts the flash down to save power if it's not used for 25 minutes. This model is very well made (in Japan), with high quality materials, clear markings and a good standard of fit and finish, as you'd expect from Canon. Standard hot shoe fitting, with locking collar for secure mounting.

An excellent flash for Canon manual focus users and others!

Condition: Excellent+++ (8.5/10), minor issues
The flash is in very good condition with just the usual signs of use, including some surface scratches and scrapes here and there in the plastic finish. All features work properly and all controls work positively, with two minor exceptions. The test button needs a firm push but does work, and the locking switch for the swivel movement doesn't spring back but must be pushed back into the locked position if required. The battery contacts are clean with no sign of corrosion and work fine. Two original information stickers are attached to the top of the flash head.

No cracks, splits or deep scratches, and overall it's in nice shape!
At the time of listing we have more than one of this item, but the pictures and description here are representative of all of them.

Includes 4x Alkaline AA batteries

Compatibility
This flash is compatible with all Canon manual focus SLR cameras (and others) with a hot shoe, as follows:

Sets shutter speed and aperture automatically on the Canon AE-1, AE-1 Program, A-1, T50, T70, T80 and T90 (no TTL flash modes). Also works on the F-1N ("New F-1"), but a motor drive or winder is required to set the aperture automatically. Sets shutter speed automatically on the Canon AT-1, AV-1 and AL-1. The aperture must be set manually to match that set on the flash with these models.

Can be used on non-dedicated SLRs (such as the T60, FT, FTb, FTbN, EF, TLb, TX, EX-Auto and similar models) plus other cameras with a hot shoe fitting, in auto or manual flash modes with shutter speed and aperture set manually.

The Canon EOS film and digital cameras use a completely different dedicated flash control system, but this flash can be used with shutter speed and aperture set manually on the camera in M mode. Flash output will be controlled by the flash automatically depending on the distance, in f/number set mode.

Other cameras including digital
Many older flashguns have high trigger voltages - sometimes hundreds of volts - which can theoretically damage modern electronic cameras. We've tested this flash and it has a very low trigger voltage of 3.8v, which is well within the ISO limit of 24v, and should be suitable for any camera - even the most voltage-intolerant models accept up to 6v. This includes EOS digital SLRs (with non-dedicated operation), and digital cameras with a standard (non-dedicated) hot shoe such as the Fujifilm S9500, S9600, S100FS, S200EXR, HS10 (down to 28mm zoom), S7000, S602, S602 Pro and S20 Pro, Panasonic DMC-FZ10, FZ20 and FZ30, plus many others.