In search of a flash

[blinking8s]

The Appalachian Fair (http://www.appalachianfair.com) is coming up here in East TN. As a photo student I've requested a press pass or some kind of access, I doubt I will get it. But anyways I am sure its going to be a lot of night time stuff, Ive never really delt with flash photography at all, so I have a short time to work with. I just know the built in flash on the rebel and Elan 7n dont cut it...at all.

so would you go for the 420ex or am I going to be in dire need to the slight extra power from the 550ex? its a pretty big price different, I dont even know if I can afford a 550...

[Ballen Photo]

Well, I didn't vote here, since I feel there will be more than one correct answer.
I started my EX series out a few years back with the 380EX which worked well with my Elan IIe film camera back then. I currently have the 550EX which was the best choice for me at this time, however I'm betting the 420EX will do a splendid job for a lot of folks here.
I guess it's just a matter of how much distance you think you'll need to use your flash for, and do you really need the manual features of the 550.
I do think the 420 would make a nice addition to my camera bag too. :shock:
-Bruce

[robertwgross]

The 550EX doesn't have very much more power than the 420EX, so you should not select it primarily for that reason.

If you are using the flash on-camera as a sole flash, then you aren't using any Canon wireless master/slave stuff, so you don't really need either one for that reason.

The 550EX has a few interesting modes of operation, and it has a few interesting features that would be of interest to a Digital Rebel user.

The 550EX has a connector for an external battery pack.

The 550EX is more expensive, larger, and heavier.

You might want to think in other terms, not just for the present. What flash would you need six months or a year down the road?

When I shoot weddings, I use my 550EX, but I have my 420EX hidden away nearby as a backup.

---Bob Gross---

[drisley]

I agree, the power difference is small, and shouldn't be the deciding factor, especially considering the price difference.
The 550EX gives you all the nice goodies that robert mentioned, perhaps the most important being manual control.
At the same time, I have a 420EX, and I prefer it because of it's size.

[blinking8s]

how long does the battery on the 420ex last? do i need to bring 3000 AA's with me if i go to an event? it doenst have the option for a external battery pack?

thanks fro the quick replys

robertwgross you post was very informative

I doubt I will need any wireless capabilities for about 6 months from now, pending i take studio photography class that soon

[Ballen Photo]

The 550EX doesn't have very much more power than the 420EX, so you should not select it primarily for that reason.


I agree that the added features of the 550 should be more of a consideration than the power factor, but having said that, I think that with the 550's guide no of 180, vs the 420's gn of 138 is a significant difference of 42 ft. Hmm, lets see, 138 devided by 42 is what 3.28 times? This sounds to me like the 550 is roughly 30% more powerful?
.......Bruce

[aam1234]

I think the battery point mentioned by blinking8s is an important one. If they only use regular batteries then the cost of usage would be high. Are there any alternatives.

[robertwgross]

how long does the battery on the 420ex last? do i need to bring 3000 AA's with me if i go to an event? it doenst have the option for a external battery pack?

thanks fro the quick replys

robertwgross you post was very informative

I doubt I will need any wireless capabilities for about 6 months from now, pending i take studio photography class that soon

Boy, there must be a real shortage of information out there!

There is no single battery on a 420EX. It takes four AA batteries, probably NiMH or alkaline. The book says that it does 200-1400 flashes per set (but that sounds kind of suspicious, doesn't it?). It says that you get 70-80% of the full number with NiMH as compared to 100% with alkalines.

Just for comparison, the 550EX book says 100-700 flashes per set.

These numbers seem optimistic to me. Plus, I am not willing to wait forever for a flash unit to recycle its charge with half-weak batteries.

So, when I shoot a wedding, I generally shoot something like 200 shots, nearly all by flash. I generally use my 550EX, and I use a set of four AA alkalines for 20-30 shots, then rotate in another set of four, and repeat the process through three sets. Then the original set goes back in for a volley of 10-15, and then I rotate through the same sets.

At the end of the wedding, the flash is still working and recycling its charge fine, and I have about twelve AA batteries on my hands that are half used up. I move those to other places where half used batteries work fine.

I would guess that 420EX battery usage is similar, but better by 50%.

Alkalines give me the best reliability, but obviously the highest cost. When you shoot a wedding, you are willing to pay for reliability. If your flash completely failed due to batteries, you might as well slit your own throat right there rather than face the wrath of the B&G and their parents.

The 420EX does not take an external battery pack. The 550EX does, but I have not gotten around to getting one yet. I probably ought to, but the primary wedding season is over now, and I have to take off my wedding photographer hat and put my nature photographer hat back on. Nature doesn't like flash that much.

---Bob Gross---[/b]

[DocFrankenstein]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39631&highlight=
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39752&highlight=

I didn't understand a thing about it, but decided to go with the 550EX because of the added features and because the Rebel doesn't have the FEC.

[Jon]

The 550EX doesn't have very much more power than the 420EX, so you should not select it primarily for that reason.


I agree that the added features of the 550 should be more of a consideration than the power factor, but having said that, I think that with the 550's guide no of 180, vs the 420's gn of 138 is a significant difference of 42 ft. Hmm, lets see, 138 devided by 42 is what 3.28 times? This sounds to me like the 550 is roughly 30% more powerful?
.......Bruce

With his fastest lens the 50 f/1.8, that's going to be about 20' actual distance difference; with the other lenses it'll be under 10' difference in maximum reach. Where it can make a difference is in fall-off (good old inverse-square law), giving a more uniform exposure over a deeper subject..

[vfilby]

I think you should consider the Sigma EF 500DG Super as well. Whatever you budget, make sure to include a good set of rechargables for general use.

[slin100]

There's rumored to be a new 580EX due sometime in the future. Sorry, I don't know what features it will have.

[timmyquest]

You have hte 300D, the features on the 550 make it a breeze to use it on this camera. And when you upgrade your camera, you'll have a better flash anyways.

[Jon]

Why 580? going from GN 55 to GN 58 isn't much at all. They'd have to have some real whiz-bang additional features to warrant their making one. Anyone noticed any odd/underutilized menu features on the 1D Mk II that a new flash could hook into?

[vfilby]

You never know, it could be a powerful off-camera flash like the 480. The 550 has a zoom lens so it can concentrate the light, whereas the 480 didn't. However, a focussing panel on the 480 increased the GN rom 48 to 68.

I just read about the 480 recently so I may have to go and double check those facts.

[sGu]

550EX definitely for now, until i see test result of 580EX ... but i have to admit that i'm really looking forward to Canon's new flagship flashgun

[CoolToolGuy]

According to Canon, the 580EX replaces the 550EX, so maybe closeout prices will be coming. The 580EX has a lot of features for ETTL2 and newer lenses, so if you don't need those features, snap up a 550EX on the cheap.

Have Fun,

[DocFrankenstein]

According to Canon, the 580EX replaces the 550EX, so maybe closeout prices will be coming. The 580EX has a lot of features for ETTL2 and newer lenses, so if you don't need those features, snap up a 550EX on the cheap.

Have Fun,
Has this 580 been announced or not? Cause I'm sure I'd be happy with the 550 ex, but now that you mention it I am starting to think about delaying the purchase a bit.

[CoolToolGuy]

According to Canon, the 580EX replaces the 550EX, so maybe closeout prices will be coming. The 580EX has a lot of features for ETTL2 and newer lenses, so if you don't need those features, snap up a 550EX on the cheap.

Have Fun,
Has this 580 been announced or not? Cause I'm sure I'd be happy with the 550 ex, but now that you mention it I am starting to think about delaying the purchase a bit.

Yup
http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20040819_580ex.html

Have Fun,