couple of flash questions

[boxer82003]

hi there just a couple of quick questions

#1 what is the difference between the canon 550ex flash and a 550 ez

#2 will I/amature notice a difference between the 420ex and the 550ex

#3 whats a good price for either of these 2

i have a digital rebel and i find a lot of my indoor photos are a bit dark is there anything else i need to know about purchasing a flash

[robertwgross]

hi there just a couple of quick questions
#1 what is the difference between the canon 550ex flash and a 550 ez


I am not aware of any 550EZ flash. Perhaps you mean 540EZ. The 540EZ does not support ETTL flash mode, which is the primary flash mode of your camera. The 550EX does do ETTL.


#2 will I/amature notice a difference between the 420ex and the 550ex


An amateur might or might not. There is a slightly higher power in the 550EX. If you use it only on the hot shoe of the camera, then you are not using any of the Canon wireless IR flash system in either one. If you use more than one flash, then one has to be the Canon wireless IR Master, and one or more have to be the Canon wireless IR Slave. The 550EX can be either or none. The 420EX can only be Slave or none.


#3 whats a good price for either of these 2


I would say the B&H price is your target.


i have a digital rebel and i find a lot of my indoor photos are a bit dark is there anything else i need to know about purchasing a flash

Note that the Digital Rebel can use the FEC of the 550EX, so that makes it a better choice. OTOH, there is more cost.

---Bob Gross---

[boxer82003]

sorry but FEC ??

[scottbergerphoto]

The main advantages of the 550EX over the 420EX:
1. More powerful- Guide Number of 55M vs. 42M (The maximum distance a flash can travel at ISO 100 at F/1.0 is the Guide Number.)
2. Able to function as wireless master to other EX flashes.
3. Manual Mode available.
4. FEC-Flash Exposure Compensation-can be dialed in on the flash directly.
5. Has high voltage port for battery packs.
Scott

[boxer82003]

thats great thanks scott and robert

[robertwgross]

If you have a very simple camera with built-in flash, then you push the button and take your chances with flash exposure.

With a complex DSLR camera, often there is a way to compensate the amount of flash (dial it up or down), and this can be done in the camera settings or else in the flash unit settings. The Digital Rebel does not allow it done in the camera, so the only way you can do it is to have a flash unit (e.g. 550EX) that allows it to be set in the flash unit.

That's Flash Exposure Compensation. Just call it fine-tuning the flash.

---Bob Gross---