Canon EOS 7D Rumored to have built in flash master

Wow, I hope this rumor is correct. According to CanonRumors the much anticipated Canon EOS 7D will have a built in flash master!! This new addition would allow you to control off camera flashes via your EOS camera without having to purchase another device such as the ST-E2. Looks like Canon is finally listening to the strobist community and adding some features that Nikon has had for years. It would be great to have something on the Canon EOS line that could compete with the Nikon Creative Lighting System. Don’t get me wrong, I like my Pocket Wizards and they work great but sometimes you want to travel light and the less gear you have to carry around the better.

If this rumor is true it would answer a question myself and many others have had about the future of the Canon ST-E2. The ST-E2 is an okay device, 4 years ago, but most strobists want to control multiple flash groups and do more than just ratios between flash group A and B. The Nikon SU-800 has been able to do this for quite some time. What I don’t understand is why Canon doesn’t step out and start becoming innovative with their flash technology. I know a lot of people shy away from flashes, mainly because they don’t know how to use them, but if you make the technology easier to use I think adoption will spread like wildfire.

So why do I feel so strong about this issue? Most flash users know the number one rule is GET THE FLASH OFF THE CAMERA!! But for those who are new to flash photography I think this is the main reason people try it, don’t like the image, and then never try it again. If the flash could be triggered remotely (and for free since the trigger is built into the camera) I think you would have more entry level photographers adopting the use of flash (or should I say the correct use of flash). Now I know the cost of the EOS 7D won’t be cheap, but we can expect the flash master function to trickle down to the EOS X0D line and even the EOS Rebel line probably with in a year or two.

So what if the rumor is wrong? Then Canon has missed a great opportunity to start actually competing with Nikon who has dominated the DSLR and Flash combination for quite some time. But that’s a story for another rant.