420ex + hacked firmware (FEC) or 550ex?

[friscomgm]

Title says it all. I need an external flash like now, and the main reason I was looking into 550ex was due to FEC. Now that hacked firmware unlocks FEC, can I get away with 420ex?

I will be doing monthly shoots for local magazine - mostly indoors...

TIA!

[vfilby]

I recently posted the exact same question for the exact same reason. The general consensus was that I should get the 550 if I could afford it because the manual control might be necessary to get the lighting right. With the 420 it is full auto or nothing (with the exception of FEC) and with the 550 you can set the amount of exposure you want. Some people (TimmyQuest) also said that Flash Exposure Bracketting is essential.

I couldn't afford the 550 and I got a good deal on a used Canon mount Sigma DG 500 Super, which is the Sigma clone of the 440ex, so I bought it. I'll try to remember to let you know if it works out once I get it.

Vince

[friscomgm]

I also searched and studied the results. The 420ex has full auto or nothing at all?

I was mainly posting this to find out if any users were truly utilizing a 420ex + hacked firmware on their 300D with good results...

[drisley]

I'm getting great results with the hack.
However, even with FEC, sometimes you would like full manual output control for consitency, especially in a "studio" type environment.

I dont do that type of shooting, so FEC works great, and I like the size of the 420EX much better than rather big 550EX.

I always find it so odd that the G3 had both FEC and full manual flash output control built-in.