Question about canon flashes

[mourningshadow]

I have question, I am considering purchasing the 550EX flash, though I don't know if I can afford it as I am also buying some glass. My question is how does the 550EX differ from the 420EX? If there isn't a huge difference I would just as soon go with the 420 and save over $150 towards the purchase of my glass, how does the 420 compare to the 550? I am by no means a pro or anything so I just am not sure if I will need the 550 or not. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.


Also one other question, will the 420EX enable me to use shutter speeds faster than 1/200 using the flash? This is the only real problem I am having with my new D Rebel as I like to get good action shots indoors.

Aaron

[abel]

the only thing i know (which isnt much) about the 500ex is that it is much more powerful than the 420ex which makes it capable of getting a further reach.

[robertwgross]

550EX is a bit more versatile than 420EX.

550EX has a slightly better Guide Number, which means it is slightly brighter. Some people don't need that.

550EX will serve as a Master or a Slave of the Canon wireless flash system. Some people don't need that.

550EX has some other modes, such as high speed sync. Some people don't need that.

550EX has a few other small features. Some people don't need those either.

So, 550EX has a bunch of bells and whistles which some people don't need.

(I have one of each, 550EX and 420EX, because I like versatility)

---Bob Gross---

[robertwgross]

the only thing i know (which isnt much) about the 500ex is that it is much more powerful than the 420ex which makes it capable of getting a further reach.

Actually, the 550EX (there is no 500EX) is not much more powerful. If you compare the guide numbers (55 and 42), that isn't much difference.

---Bob Gross---

[dn7elson]

Essentially, the 550EX is larger and more powerful than the 420EX. It also can act as a master and control other flashes (slaves) where the 420EX can act as a stand alone or slave only.

I have the 420EX and find it more than capable. If I were going to use it in a studio or in conjunction with other flashes, I would likely have stepped up to the 550EX.

Here are the 550EX specs:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelTechSpecsAct&fcategoryid=141&m odelid=7270

The link to the 420EX information appears to be one of the many broken on the updated Canon USA website. Hopefully it will be fixed quickly.

[abel]

500ex was a typo.

[DaveG]

I have question, I am considering purchasing the 550EX flash, though I don't know if I can afford it as I am also buying some glass. My question is how does the 550EX differ from the 420EX? If there isn't a huge difference I would just as soon go with the 420 and save over $150 towards the purchase of my glass, how does the 420 compare to the 550? I am by no means a pro or anything so I just am not sure if I will need the 550 or not. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.


Aaron

The 550 is a far more complex flash than the 420 and that can be good, and it can be bad. First with the 550, you will get in-the-flash bias control. Since the E-TTL is so inconsistent, I use this bias frequently to correct exposures. You would need to use use the camera flash bias with the 420 (at least on the 10D) but it's much more convoluted to make adjustments quickly.

You also get manual flash settings in adjustable power output levels with the 550. This tends to be a slow, trial & error approach to using flash - as well as revisting the technology of the 1960's. But it is the only way that you can use the 550 to trigger regular light slaves. The "double pop" of the E-TTL will prematurely set off a light slave and there's no way of getting the 420 to do any BUT E-TTL.

But the biggest advantage of the 550 is it's the first step to using the Canon Wireless TTL. This is a truly wonderful system where you would use the 550 as a Master flash and then another 550 - or more likely the cheaper 420 - as a slave. Then you can use it to do some amazing flash photography with a main light coming from anywhere BUT the camera position, and that ALWAYS improves the image. There is a dedicated wireless projector unit that Canon sells but from from what I've heard it's much weaker than the 550 as a master and at the end of the day ISN'T a flash.

So I'd get the 550 first. It's more flexible and powerful than the 420. Then if the need arrises you could add a 420 later.

If you like you can email me and I'll send you some shots down with this wireless TTL system.

[robertwgross]

Both 550EX and 420EX do high speed sync, but 550EX has other (weird) modes as well. High speed sync is necessary if the shutter must be pushed over 1/200th.

I've never used stroboscopic mode.

Basically, if you only want to use the flash on top of the camera, then it doesn't make too much difference. But when you start going to a multiple flash lighting scheme, the wireless stuff becomes important. Then the 550EX wins out.

---Bob Gross---

[mourningshadow]

Thanks for all the great info guys, seeing as how I am not going to be going pro any time soon and don't need all the bells and whistles, I think I will go with the 420 for now and maybe upgrade to the 550 when money permits, the main thing I need is to be able to push the shutter past 1/200 and if the 420 can do that I should be set with it.

[Motorsports Photo]

Thanks for all the great info guys, seeing as how I am not going to be going pro any time soon and don't need all the bells and whistles, I think I will go with the 420 for now and maybe upgrade to the 550 when money permits, the main thing I need is to be able to push the shutter past 1/200 and if the 420 can do that I should be set with it.

From what you describe you shoyuld be happy with the 420.

Since the flash does tha action freeze, why do you need the high speed synch?

-Pete