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abel
18th of March 2004 (Thu), 12:01
there seems to be quite a bit of price difference and i was curious to see if i can get some feedback from you guys about the differences between the two units

thanks in advance.
scottbergerphoto
18th of March 2004 (Thu), 12:09
If you do a search above, you'll see that the 420EX is cheaper, less powerful (guide number 42M vs 55M), less versatile, can't be used as a master for wireless ETTL, but adequate for most things. It has no manual settings. If you buy the 300D, there is no FEC. Some people have purchased the Sigma EF 500 DG Super to get most of the 550EX at less cost. I used the 420EX with a G2 for two years without problems. I got the 550EX when I got my 10D. Now I use the 550 as master and the 420 as slave.
Scott
G3
18th of March 2004 (Thu), 12:17
If you do a search above, you'll see that the 420EX is cheaper, less powerful (guide number 42M vs 55M), less versatile, can't be used as a master for wireless ETTL, but adequate for most things. It has no manual settings. If you buy the 300D, there is no FEC. Some people have purchased the Sigma EF 500 DG Super to get most of the 550EX at less cost. I used the 420EX with a G2 for two years without problems. I got the 550EX when I got my 10D. Now I use the 550 as master and the 420 as slave.
Scott

Yep...that pretty well covers it. Good info....
Ken Fong
23rd of March 2004 (Tue), 19:30
If you can afford the 550EX, I would get it because it offers more versatility in terms of power and other features, that is, if you plan on doing a lot of flash photography. I'm not sure about the 420EX, but if you shoot in wide angle, there is a handy wide-angle diffuser that slides out from the top of the unit (can't lose it). Also, it is capable of strobing (but how ofter do we use that?). Finally, I think it can be used as the 'master' slave if coordinating with other flashes. I am only beginning to appreciate how powerful this flash is.
Roger_Cavanagh
24th of March 2004 (Wed), 13:12
I vote with the others who say "get the 550, if you plan on lots of flash work". I bought the 420 with my original D30 and soon decided I needed (all right, wanted) the extra control the 550 offers - more buttons than a VCR. :)

It is worth the money, but not if all you plan is a more powerful version of the pop-up flash.

Regards,