Canon 10D and older flash unit

[arkie2916]

I have a 10D and so far have only used the onboard flash. I've been looking to get a flash to use and have been looking at the 420EX, which I think will meet my needs for the time being. I just opened the box to a Vivitar 2000 which I had bought years ago for my K1000 and slipped it on my 10D and "it works". Can someone explain what benefits I would get by spending $200 on the 420EX? I want it for some indoors shots and to use out doors for fill flash. I am completely in the dark about flash units.

Bev

[nikondude24]

The 420 EX takes a long time to recycle between shots. Its a real pain.

[Nutter]

I used a Vivitar 285 for a while - until it fell off a counter. Now it only flashes once out of about 5 times, so it doesn't get used anymore.

It worked pretty well. I'd set the camera on Av and set the flash to the same aperature. Well, usually a couple of stops lower b/c all I was using it for was fill.

[arkie2916]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Someone in another forum warned me about voltage issues that can fry the 10D. So, I tried to find the voltage and of course it wasn't in the manual or at Vivitar's site. I then investigated and found this site http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html and was quite alarmed so the "Vivitar 2000" is going back in the box and in the closet with my two antique K1000's!!!