Canon Flash Advise

[LeeO]

I am getting a 10D and need a flash that can bounce and throw light about 25/30 feet. I have been looking at the Canon 400 series and 500 series. 500 seems like overkill. What do you guys advise for the above requirements. Thanks in advance.

Lee

[Morden]

I have been looking at the Canon 400 series and 500 series. 500 seems like overkill.
Indeed. I have both a 420EX as well as a 550EX, but the latter is used largely in 'studio', off-camera work. The 420EX tilts & swivels like the 550EX, has the range you need, and is smaller & lighter than its much more expensive 'bigger brother'. For on-camera shooting, there isn't much between the two units. I recommend the 420EX unless you really need the increased power, slave triggering ability or manual mode of the 550EX.

[Yance]

Just remember when you bounce light, the surface will absorb or scatter a portion of the light. So it will not be as bright when it reaches the subject.

[Morden]

Just remember when you bounce light, the surface will absorb or scatter a portion of the light. So it will not be as bright when it reaches the subject
Indeed, therefore reducing effective range. However, if the subject is still within range, ETTL metering will automatically compensate for the reduced flash light reaching the subject.

Also, of course, if the bounce surface is not white (or at least neutral) then it may colour the light from the flash, but this is usually easy to adjust for given custom white balance, RAW shooting, etc.

[Spinners]

Also note. the 420EX is pure E-TTL. So if you lose the ability to manually set the flash. This may or may not be a problem for you. I personally wish i went with the 500 series.. in retrospect.

[LeeO]

Spinners,
What is pure E-TTL. I assume TTL is through the lens, right? What's E?

[rob_s]

The "e" stands for "evaluative" -- the camera can use its evaluative metering mode to gauge proper exposure settings.

[rdenney]

leeo wrote:
Spinners,
What is pure E-TTL. I assume TTL is through the lens, right? What's E?

It's Canon's fully automatic through the lens flash metering. As Rob says, it stands for "evaluative", but it's a Canon-only usage. It uses a low-power preflash to measure the scene before the mirror pops up.

For bouncing light 30 feet away, I'd recommend the power of the 550EX despite the cost. I have made good flash pictures at 60 feet with my 550, but without bouncing, using ISO 400 film. The aperture it selected was wide open on my long, cheapie zoom. With any bounce at all, it would not have been enough. In my experience, one bounce cuts the light at least in half, which reduces that 60 feet down to about 40 feet.

The 420 is fine for bouncing in the 15-20-foot range, it seems to me.

Rick "who thinks a big flash provides needed options" Denney

[LeeO]

Rick, your comment, "420 is fine for bouncing light in the 15/20 foot range."

Did you mean camera to subject distance or the distance the light travels up to the ceiling and back to subject?