420EX Flash - Anyone got samples?

[Silverman]

Just wondering if anyone out there has some samples of using the 420EX with G3. Do you have some samples you could post? I would like to see the difference between built in flash and 420Exflash.

Does it make a big difference?
For example, if am in a dark room and use a 420Ex flash, will picture be good?
Thanks in advance...



Silverman

[Biko]

Not got samples, yeh its good, but as it does not meter through the lens you have to be careful how you take pics its a bit hit and miss at times

I have a piece of blutack and bits of white paper to cover flash to control the exposure as well as angling head to bounce off to soften light.

[Silverman]

Can you show me what you talking about?
Peace of paper?

Thanks
Silverman

[phili1]

Sliverman. I do not have pictures but being an Eos film user for years it does make a big difference.

Now with that said I find the G3 on board flash to do a very very good job. It eluminates rooms better then my Eos Elan on board flaash.

The big difference you will see in large rooms teh on boad does not have enought punch to eluminate the room properly.

The second thing would be red eye it almost eliminates it. What you will see in your pictures is with the onboad you see light fall off around the edges and with the external it will be eliminated.

I have a 540ez which is not compatiable but the 420ex is designed to work with the camera in the Ettl system.
This means it does measure exposure through the sensor which is through tru the the lens.

[Silverman]

Ok thanks
So you're saying that flash 420 ex does a big difference.
Good, very good, i think i'm gonna purchase it.

Is it heavy comparing to G3?

Do you think i shouldn't buy and stay with onboard flash?

Silverman

[ijohnson]

To be frank, even though that's not my name, I was scared, in fact petrified to take indoor pictures with my G2, grated I am sure that the G3 is SOOO much different, I digress.

The 420 ex is like an automatic dream. If I ever even think about being inside it goes with me. Now granted it is a HUGE accessory for such a small camera, almost embarassing to have it on there, but it has saved my life and made me look like a pro.

There is virtually no use for the on-board flash on any point and shoot because it flattens even the most voluptuous surface. The "red-eye reduction" is worthless as it makes even my sweet old mother look like she is possessed by Satan.

Get the flash, don't blush when people wonder why your flash is bigger than your camera, and shoot indoors with pride.

[1rushfan]

Ijohnson is right. I don't have the flash, but I've used his on my G3, and the difference is amazing. The built in flash is for blinding your friends or scaring your pets, not taking pictures.

[Silverman]

Thank you all, very nice words, i gotta buy a 420...
Too expensive here in Brazil about U$ 263.

Anyone got samples taken with 420 and non 420 (just built in flash)?
Thanks again
Silverman

[Man-Fai Wong]

Silverman,

You can check these for some examples of what bounce flash will give you (provided the ceilings and/or walls are not too far away nor have bad color casts PLUS the subject is not too far away either):

http://www.pbase.com/image/22998413

http://www.pbase.com/image/23019621

http://www.pbase.com/image/22998416


Here are a few using direct flash w/ 420ex, but probably just a tad too far for the internal flash to be effective:

http://www.pbase.com/image/22480857

http://www.pbase.com/image/22482931

http://www.pbase.com/image/22482932


Here's one using direct flash w/ 420ex at close range (and could've been done w/ internal flash):

http://www.pbase.com/image/22481345


And in bright daylight, especially w/ the subjects backlit, a powerful external flash can make all the difference:

http://www.pbase.com/image/22482938

http://www.pbase.com/image/22940240

http://www.pbase.com/image/22940256


As usual, you do need to do some flash exposure comp (or maybe even normal exp comp) depending on distance, strength of backlight, etc, etc. Alternatively, you can probably use the AE lock (ie. the * button) to do FE lock, which will fire a pre-flash for presumably more accurate metering, especially when bouncing. I usually don't bother w/ FE lock using pre-flash though since I rarely shoot subjects that give me the extra time needed to lock FE -- Canon's ETTL system makes locking FE or doing any kind of user intervention a bit tricky me thinks.

FYI, in cases where ceilings/walls are too far for regular bounce, you could also add a diffuser to get a more even effect than simple direct flash. I have a Sto-fen omnibounce for that though some prefer a different (maybe more sophisticated) brand/type like Lumiquest. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos using the omnibounce loaded into my pbase account -- and actually, I'm finding it less and less useful for my needs. I may consider getting a Lumiquest unit in the future instead.

Hope this helps some.

_Man_

[Silverman]

Thanks Man again hehehe...

Do you always use 420Ex flash? it's seems so...

Silverman

[Man-Fai Wong]

Silverman wrote:
Thanks Man again hehehe...

Do you always use 420Ex flash? it's seems so...

Silverman

No problem.

Do I always use it? Well, pretty much always when flash is needed. I rarely use the internal flash anymore. Only time I would want to use it is for continuous shooting mode or when I want to be less conspicuous.

For some reason, Canon disabled the continuous shooting mode when using the 420ex. Not too big a deal for me since even the internal flash slows down continuous mode quite a bit, but would be nice to have the ability once in a while.

And even though the 420ex seems so huge on top of the G3, I often like having it on top for a "better"/weightier feel even when I don't actually use the flash -- well, "better" for me anyway. And this way, I can just leave it attached all the time to save myself a little trouble -- I keep it attached inside my bag also.

One more note: If you bounce the 420ex (w/out diffuser), you should never get red-eye. Also, in the Cinderella w/ kids picture, you'd probably get red-eye w/ the internal flash assuming you get close enough for the shot of course.

_Man_

[Iowaguy]

Well Folks,
I am getting a G5 for Christmas and have the 420EX already here. I have asked Man-Fai Wong some questions and would appreciate any ideas any of you have.
I will definatly be doing some testing, when it's warm enough to get outside here in Iowa.
I have taken 35mm photos for years, but this is my first journey into digital.
Thanks, Al

[Man-Fai Wong]

One more thing about using 420ex.

It seems to disable the AE and focus bracketing features, so keep that in mind. I believe the bracketing features work fine w/ internal flash.

Personally, I rarely ever use the bracketing feature myself. And when I do, I also tend not to use flash for such either, so it doesn't bother me any.

_Man_

[blick]

Man-Fai Wong wrote:
One more thing about using 420ex.

I believe the bracketing features work fine w/ internal flash.

_Man_


Hi
(Un)fortunatelly when the internal flash is used in bracketing mode (either AE or focus), actually only the first photo is taken. This is in G3/G5.
wojtek

[Griduser]

Iowaguy, I are 1, 2. Where do you live? I'm in the Quad Cities Area now, but lived in West Des Moines for 5 years B4 moving here in 1996.

I've had my G5 for a few months, now, but, since the summer, haven't used it much. I like it, but I can see what they mean by the "purple flare" that appears in many flash pictures. I've heard it doesn't happen on the G3. Since I already have the '5', I guess I'll just have to learn to deal with it. I'm in the market for an external flash too, and have been looking at the 420EX.

The G5 was my first foray into the digital world. I always liked my 35mm, and held off going digital for quite a while. Now I'm a convert. I like not having to waste film on bad shots (which happened more and more as I began to use my camera less and less). And since I was so picky about my shots, now I just develop the ones that turn out and toss the other electrons away.