Shooting in Manual Mode with Flash

[Groucho]

Actually, for the hell of it, I checked Wikipedia (knowing that it's not the end-all be-all of knowledge) and it's possible to quote the entire article pretty easily.

"Speedlight is the brand name used by Nikon Corporation for their photographic flash units. Nikon competitor Canon uses the similar name Speedlite for their flashes."

So, err, yeah. It's just a brand name for a flash. If we're talking flashes on a generic level, it's probably not appropriate to use the term.

I did find the following from an O'Reilly book: Another common term is speedlight, probably created by anxious marketeers wanting consumers to disregard the lengthy period required by their products to recharge between flashes. Also, from here: "Speedlight" is a term Nikon used to classify their own flash units, it is just a brand name/business labels and doesn't mean anything at all, similarly, the term "ringlight" for the Nikon macro-flash is also a very-Nikon term; other camera manufacturer does the same, for an example, Canon's version in terming theirs as speedlite as "speedlite" and/or "modulite" for macro-flash series, etc.

It looks like Nikon's first speedlight was the SB-1, introduced in 1969, the earliest reference to a Canon one that I can find is from 1973. Without any further info, I'd have to say that Canon cribbed the term.

 

[jann1033]

I'm pretty sure you're right. Canon would never use a silly term like "Speedlight" for their flashes. They call them "Speedlite" instead.

obviously who ever started Canon had a problem spelling since they forgot an "n" in the company name

 

[handicap18]

... So, err, yeah. It's just a brand name for a flash. If we're talking flashes on a generic level, it's probably not appropriate to use the term....

Well, you could use the term since it just describes a hotshoe flash unit. Just so happens that the 2 biggest camera makers (or dSLR makers or most known makers, what ever term you'd like to use or substitute companies for makers) use the same word that is said the same just spelled differently.

Guess we just have to be sure the appropriate member is spelling the word according to thier camera's brand name. Pentax, Sony and Olympus users, however, are not allowed to use the word, they must type out hot-shoe flash unit. Thus making a distinction between the on camera pop-up flash and a seperate piece of equiment.

I hereby set forth this motion. All in favor say I.

 

[handicap18]

obviously who ever started Canon had a problem spelling since they forgot an "n" in the company name

Yah, but really, shouldn't it be Cannin. Who pronounces it Can-on. Gutta love the English language..... NOT!

Going to Merrium-Websters Dictionary for a pronunciation they have it listed weird. Either that or its been so long since I've been in school that I don't know my dictionary. Could be just an html code issue.

Main Entry: can·on
Pronunciation: 'ka-n&n

dictionary.com has this:
can·on1 [kan-uhn]

 

[ktulu]

http://www.canon.com/about/mark/origin.html

 

[Groucho]

Well, you could use the term since it just describes a hotshoe flash unit. Just so happens that the 2 biggest camera makers (or dSLR makers or most known makers, what ever term you'd like to use or substitute companies for makers) use the same word that is said the same just spelled differently.

Guess we just have to be sure the appropriate member is spelling the word according to thier camera's brand name. Pentax, Sony and Olympus users, however, are not allowed to use the word, they must type out hot-shoe flash unit. Thus making a distinction between the on camera pop-up flash and a seperate piece of equiment.

I hereby set forth this motion. All in favor say I.

I can't agree, especially that apparently the original of the term "speedflash" refers to its ability to flash without a long pause inbetween, or without switching one-time-use flashbulbs. Even onboard flashes nowadays would certainly qualify.

I will, however, submit that this might be the most inane and insignificant debate in history.