Which Speedlite EX for DRebel - casual use

[antaine]

I have a DRebel and I am hoping to buy either a new or used Canon EX flash.

I really dont think that I will use it very much - just occassionaly for family events - for example:

(1) I have a friends christening coming up in Feb and I will probably be asked to take some photos there for them in the church (darkish) and the later in the hotel

(2) a wedding in May (as a guest) for some general snapshots.

I was looking at the 420EX - on ebay. But then I saw the cheaper 220EX and wondered if this would really be enough for my modest needs (Hoping to buy a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 soon).

Specs

220EX: 22m guide £115
420EX: 46m guide £169
550EX: 55m guide £249
580EX: 58m guide £329
(from warehouseexpress.com)

Has anybody used a few models of the Canon EXs and can they give me quick Yeah or Neah?!!

thanks for your help, Antaine.

[aliflack]

its probably worth bearing in mind that the 300d doesn't have flash exposure compensation - the 580 (and possibly the 550?) both have FEC onboard, allowing you to eek out a bit more performance from the camera itself...

the other consideration is, do you ever see yourself getting more than one flash? if so, it be worth thinking of getting one that can act as a wireless master.

[ed2day]

I don't believe the 220 swivels. The 420 does. That alone more than justifies the difference in price IMO.

[Jon]

About the only real difference between the 220EX and the pop-up flash on the DR is how far off the lens axis the head is. The GN is 22 vs. 13 for the pop-up, so you're looking at 15 vs 25 ft for maximum distance with the f/2.8, a relatively minor difference. And it can't be (later) used with Canon's wireless slave system.

[antaine]

420EX winning at this stage ...

[S45_fornow...]

420EX winning at this stage ...

You might consider the 380EX if you can find a used one in good condition. It is E-TTL and has a swivel head (up and down only). It's Slightly less powerful than the 420EX I believe. Not sure what features it has tho since it is an older model.

I'm looking at the 420EX myself right now, but I presently don't have the funds to spring for one :cry:

[C.S.I.]

How about the Sigma DG Super 500? Just as good as the Canon 550ex for $200(usd). I love mine.

[golden-balls]

Try 7dayshop

420EX for £129

[golden-balls]

I have a 20D and am in a similar situation.

Should I go for a 420EX or up to a 550EX?

Would there be much benefit.

Ta.

GB

[Mike Panic]

550 and the 580 are more flexable and more powerfull then the 420

[antaine]

Have emailed 7dayshop about the 420EX - I have bought small items off them a few times before (even last week) with no problems apart from 5 days post delay to Ireland.

Most ebay purchases seems to be through USA/HK where custumes are applicable for me; so 7dayshop might work out better in the long run - thanks for all the replies, and keep them coming!

[baboymo]

save money and get the 420ex and use the Wasia hack for FEC....it works great!

[MrChad]

save money and get the 420ex and use the Wasia hack for FEC....it works great!

I totally agree the 420EX is almost half the price of the 550EX. And the 580EX doesn't add much more then the 550EX to the Drebel since the Drebel isn't ETTL II or crop factor firmwired.

I would either buy the 420EX and use it as a 2nd wireless slave later, or go all out and get the $580EX$ now, since it will have features great for use on newer DSLR's down the road. Personally I was amazed at how nice a little flash the 420EX is. Plus the 420EX works with all the focusing points on the Drebel, I think the 550EX and 580EX only use the horizontal points on the Drebel 7 point system.

And with the Drebel hack the 420EX gets even better on Drebel. I can't say that I currently use such functions (FEC) on my Elan very much, but it's nice to have I guess. The tilting head is a huge plus over the 220EX.

[Redbird_xo]

My money is on the 420EX, it offers the best bang for the bucks matching with drebel for casual use.

[Jesper]

I have both a 420 EX and a 550 EX.

The 550 EX is more powerful and has much more functionality than the 420 EX, but it is also noticeably bigger and heavier.

If it's only for "casual use", I'd get the 420 EX. I agree with the others that the ability to swivel and tilt is a major advantage - it's very useful to be able to bounce the flash off a white wall or ceiling to make the light softer.

[Cash--]

I recently picked up a Drebel, and a 420ex, I like it alot. Im dead center in the casual user crosshairs, no where near a pro, and just brand spankin new to all this stuff. I picked up a sto-fen omnibounce for my 420ex, It's pretty nifty for a very inexpensive add on.

here's an example of what it does
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Cash--/nupenny.jpg

[Headcase650]

I dont know why anyone would recomend the 420ex. This flash works well but allows you to control nothing. For just a few dollars more you could have the sigma 500 dg super. More powerfull, nearly equil to the 550ex and just as simple to use if left in ettl mode with fec set to 0. The user would soon outgrow the no adjustment of the 420 and wished he had some control.

The 420 allows you no room to grow with out a new investment.

[antaine]

hi folks, Sorry to the Sigma 500 corner, but I have just bought a brand new CANON 380EX for under £90 on ebay which was exactly my price range. As I said it really is for occassional/casual use and I couldn't justify spending much more for a flash.

My wife knows about this purchase (380EX), as she will be seeing it in use, but my next purchase - the Tamron 28-75 - will have to be a secret operation! Thankfully to the un-interested eye all black lenses look the same!!!

thanks again for all your replies, Antaine.