Should I get the Canon 420ex, or 550ex flash?

[BigMikey]

I am getting ready to buy an external flash for my Rebel, and wondered what you folks thought. I can save some bucks by using the hack for FEC, and buying the 420, or just spend the extra cash and buy the 550 with FEC built in. Don't what the other difference are. Opinions? Thanks...

[velvetjones]

The 550 is about 1 stop more powerful than the 420...also bigger though.

420 is smaller and a lot cheaper, but other than that, the 550 is better....has a manual mode and a built in transmitter. I also think that it is more capable of shooting with more wide angle coverage than the 420, but unless you are still shooting film(like yours truly!) than that is probably moot.

I have a couple 420's and an ST-E2 and I am pretty happy with what I can do with them.

[robertwgross]

We discussed this just the other day.

If you need only one flash unit, and it is mounted on the camera, then the 420EX might be the first choice, and the 550EX might be the second choice. Or vice versa.

If you need more than one flash, then somewhere you'll probably be using the Canon wireless features. That calls for at least one Master unit, which must be either the 550EX flash or else the Master wireless transmitter only (ST-E2). After one Master, you'll have one or more wireless slaves, which can be the 420EX or the 550EX.

Basically, this means that it works best if you can decide your flash strategy a step or two ahead and buy appropriately. I have one of each of these three units, so I can rig up all sorts of varied flash situations, but many people just want to keep flash simple.

---Bob Gross---

[BigMikey]

The 550 is about 1 stop more powerful than the 420...also bigger though.

420 is smaller and a lot cheaper, but other than that, the 550 is better....has a manual mode and a built in transmitter. I also think that it is more capable of shooting with more wide angle coverage than the 420, but unless you are still shooting film(like yours truly!) than that is probably moot.

I have a couple 420's and an ST-E2 and I am pretty happy with what I can do with them.

Thank you for the information. I am just shooting digital, but the 550 sounds like maybe it's worth just spending the extra bucks for.

[BigMikey]

We discussed this just the other day.

If you need only one flash unit, and it is mounted on the camera, then the 420EX might be the first choice, and the 550EX might be the second choice. Or vice versa.

If you need more than one flash, then somewhere you'll probably be using the Canon wireless features. That calls for at least one Master unit, which must be either the 550EX flash or else the Master wireless transmitter only (ST-E2). After one Master, you'll have one or more wireless slaves, which can be the 420EX or the 550EX.

Basically, this means that it works best if you can decide your flash strategy a step or two ahead and buy appropriately. I have one of each of these three units, so I can rig up all sorts of varied flash situations, but many people just want to keep flash simple.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks Bob. I will be using one unit on the camera, for now anyway. I am starting to think just spending the extra bucks for the 550 would be the best move.

[JoeTampa]

I own both, and, to be honest, unless I need to fire both flashes, or have a need for the extra light, the 420 is always the one on the camera. Works well and is much smaller and lighter.

[gary_580]

Im considering the same flashes as well. Im going to be using it with a 300D / Rebel and it will be the only flash i will use.

[drisley]

I would recommend the 550EX for the 300D ony because it allows you to select flash exposure compensation.
I have a 420EX, so unless I get the hacked 300D firmware, I cannot select FEC.

Other than that, I actually prefer the size and $$$ of the 420ex

[jgbeam]

I am getting ready to buy an external flash for my Rebel, and wondered what you folks thought. I can save some bucks by using the hack for FEC, and buying the 420, or just spend the extra cash and buy the 550 with FEC built in. Don't what the other difference are. Opinions? Thanks...

Here's another thought. Start with the 420 for $175 (least expensive way to start). Add the ST-E2 (another $175). Allows you to get the 420 off camera and, along with a $3 piece of white foamboard, into a basic portrait lighting setup. Later, if you need a second flash, add another 420 or a 550 ($300+).

Jim

[BigMikey]

I am getting ready to buy an external flash for my Rebel, and wondered what you folks thought. I can save some bucks by using the hack for FEC, and buying the 420, or just spend the extra cash and buy the 550 with FEC built in. Don't what the other difference are. Opinions? Thanks...

Here's another thought. Start with the 420 for $175 (least expensive way to start). Add the ST-E2 (another $175). Allows you to get the 420 off camera and, along with a $3 piece of white foamboard, into a basic portrait lighting setup. Later, if you need a second flash, add another 420 or a 550 ($300+).

Jim

That's a great idea also, Jim. Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely give that some thought!

[BigMikey]

I would recommend the 550EX for the 300D ony because it allows you to select flash exposure compensation.
I have a 420EX, so unless I get the hacked 300D firmware, I cannot select FEC.

Other than that, I actually prefer the size and $$$ of the 420ex

I've used the hacked firmware, and not had any problems with it. The 420ex stays in my mind as a possibility.

[BigMikey]

I own both, and, to be honest, unless I need to fire both flashes, or have a need for the extra light, the 420 is always the one on the camera. Works well and is much smaller and lighter.

Thanks Joe. Does the 420ex have all the power you need for a single flash?

[MarkH]

I got the 550EX for my 10D. I already had FEC so that wasn't an issue. The 420 probably has enough power too. The first serious use I put the 550 to gave me some problems with E-TTL so I ended up using manual settings on the flash as well as setting the camera to M. I understand that the 420 lacks the manual settings so I'm pretty glad that I went with the 550.

[BigMikey]

I got the 550EX for my 10D. I already had FEC so that wasn't an issue. The 420 probably has enough power too. The first serious use I put the 550 to gave me some problems with E-TTL so I ended up using manual settings on the flash as well as setting the camera to M. I understand that the 420 lacks the manual settings so I'm pretty glad that I went with the 550.

Thank for the advice, Mark. I'm going to make a decision in the next few days, and all this advice helps me a lot.

[JoeTampa]

Thanks Joe. Does the 420ex have all the power you need for a single flash?


Yes, for 95%+ of all situations. Depends on what you shoot - if you won't be doing lots of VERY low light environmental shoots or won't be shooting at large distances, the 420 is just fine. I've shot in clubs, lounges, etc, with it. When I know I will need a little more oomph, more control, or just want a big honkin' flash (think Tim Allen), I use the 550.

[AzzKicker]

You need to ask yourself how much will you really be using a flash. I was going to buy the 550ex but I'm glad I didnt waste the money. I bought the 420 instead and I'm glad I did because I heardly even use that.

[Harry Settle]

So, who's got the best prices?

[smokeslide]

I bought a 420 a few months ago for my 10-D and tried it for a few days but found it no more powerful than the built-in flash whatsoever and I returned it.

[dn7elson]

I bought a 420 a few months ago for my 10-D and tried it for a few days but found it no more powerful than the built-in flash whatsoever and I returned it.

A bit hard to believe...the 10D has a built-in flash with max guide number of 43 whereas the 420EX has a max guide number of 138. And since the 420EX is only about 1/2 stop less powerful than the 550, this would have to mean that the built-in flash in the 10D is also only 1/2 stop less powerful than the 550. That's not going to happen :lol:

[smokeslide]

I bought a 420 a few months ago for my 10-D and tried it for a few days but found it no more powerful than the built-in flash whatsoever and I returned it.

A bit hard to believe...the 10D has a built-in flash with max guide number of 43 whereas the 420EX has a max guide number of 138. And since the 420EX is only about 1/2 stop less powerful than the 550, this would have to mean that the built-in flash in the 10D is also only 1/2 stop less powerful than the 550. That's not going to happen :lol:

All I know is I took several shots with the 420 and then with the built-in flash from different distances and compared them and I couldn't tell a bit of difference. And I sure wasn't going to pay $170 for something that didn't show any improvements over what I already had.

[dn7elson]

All I know is I took several shots with the 420 and then with the built-in flash from different distances and compared them and I couldn't tell a bit of difference. And I sure wasn't going to pay $170 for something that didn't show any improvements over what I already had.

If the shots were within the rated range of the built-in flash, then you really should not see any difference since you did not need any more light than what you got.

I can assure you that there is no comparison of the output of the DRebel/10D (same flash) and the 420EX. I have taken construction progress photos in the unlit basement of a large commercial building with both the built-in flash and the 420EX. Within 8-10' there is not a heck of a lot of difference, but shoot out 30' or so and there is no question which is which.

[robertwgross]

At farily close distance, you won't see much difference between the 550EX, 420EX, or even the internal flash. However, really quickly the internal flash will hit its limit.

Just this weekend, I had a unique wildlife situation at night. I needed to light up a black target at 20 meters!

I had a 420EX with me, mounted on a D60 camera with an f/4 lens. By pushing the ISO up to 1000, I could get a normal E-TTL blast to 20 meters.

However, this is kind of an extreme case for flash usage.

---Bob Gross---

[jylitalo]

I am getting ready to buy an external flash for my Rebel, and wondered what you folks thought. I can save some bucks by using the hack for FEC, and buying the 420, or just spend the extra cash and buy the 550 with FEC built in. Don't what the other difference are. Opinions? Thanks...

420 and 550 are the only options in Canon's catalog, but if you take look into 3rd party vendors, you can find things like Sigma 500 DG Super, which cost is closer to 420 than 550.
http://www.sigma-photo.com/html/news/500dg_super.htm

P.S. I personally have 420 on top of my G3, but if I wouldn't have that 420, I would probably go for Sigma as a way to avoid future problems that people have now have with D300/Rebel.

[piku]

P.S. I personally have 420 on top of my G3, but if I wouldn't have that 420, I would probably go for Sigma as a way to avoid future problems that people have now have with D300/Rebel.

what problems are those?

[ohenry]

I have a 420EX and for the most part, I'm happy with it. I do find myself wishing I had gone with the 550 just for the power aspect. Not really an issue for indoor pictures, but would definately help for fill flash outdoors.

[jylitalo]

P.S. I personally have 420 on top of my G3, but if I wouldn't have that 420, I would probably go for Sigma as a way to avoid future problems that people have now have with D300/Rebel.

what problems are those?

Mainly lack of FEC. As far as I've understood D300 is also missing 2nd curtain flash on official firmware, which is kind of crazy considering that both features are available in Canon G* cameras. I am not certain if Sigma's flash can do anything to help on that 2nd curtain issue, but if Canon continues to play around with silly feature disabling, it wouldn't hurt to have manual control options in the items that are attached to camera body and 420 is pretty poor on that field, since its only real manual options are flash on/off, normal/high sync speed and all the other settings must come from camera body. (dialog is quite similar to computers in a sense, that some people like winmodems, ADSL router cards, etc., which are cheap, but require special support from used operating system, and other people want to have those same things in separate boxes which are attached with serial/RJ45 cables to actual computer, where you can use those things without special drivers, etc.).

P.S. Yes, I know that hacked firmware will give you FEC and probably that 2nd curtain flash as well for 300D, but it remains to be see, if similar hacking activity will be seen in future cameras.