Flash questions!

[Medic1]

I know I should buy both, but I have a line on a couple of flashes that a friend is looking to upgrade from and I can probably get them dirt cheap.

Canon 420EX (around $100 CDN), just doesn't want it anymore

Canon 550EX (around $200 CDN), has two and is changing one to a 580

What is the life of a flash and how can I tell how much life they have left in them?

If I only buy one, I am obviously thinking the 550, but is there a benefit to having both at some point down the road?

[tim]

Having two flashes is good for more difficult lighting situations, but you need somewhere to put them both. The 550 can act as a master, the 420 only a slave.

I find that adjusting exposure on the 550 works a lot better than adjusting it using FEC on the camera... not sure why.

[Jim_T]

Both are good flashes.. I don't know about life.. If a flash does die, I imagine it will be the tube.. I'm sure it can be repalced, (but I don't know the cost)..

Technically...

The 550EX is a bit brighter than the 420EX.. (But not by a lot)... Most importantly, you can manually adjust the flash compensation on the 550EX. You can't on the 420EX On the stock 300D, this option doesn't exist so it has to be done with the flash..

The 550EX has the ability to use the 420EX as a slave. Both flashes can communicate over an IR beam... If you need the ability to trigger a remote flash, then there would be an advantage to owning both..

[lmelendez]

I know I should buy both, but I have a line on a couple of flashes that a friend is looking to upgrade from and I can probably get them dirt cheap.

Canon 420EX (around $100 CDN), just doesn't want it anymore

Canon 550EX (around $200 CDN), has two and is changing one to a 580

What is the life of a flash and how can I tell how much life they have left in them?

If I only buy one, I am obviously thinking the 550, but is there a benefit to having both at some point down the road?

If you don't buy both... tell your friend I will buy the one you didn't buy....

If you don't buy any of them... tell your friend I will buy both ...

I live in Canada (New Brunswick) and have been looking to buy flashes...

Leo

[Medic1]

If you don't buy both... tell your friend I will buy the one you didn't buy....

If you don't buy any of them... tell your friend I will buy both ...

I live in Canada (New Brunswick) and have been looking to buy flashes...

Leo

I will most likely buy both.....how on earth could I possibly pass up the oppourtunity...sorry!

[Eric DeCastro]

i don't the what the exchange rate is, but if you are worried about the life of the flash, why not just buy a new sigma super 500. they are abuot 200USD and are the exact same thing as a 550EX. otherwise I say go for his used 550EX, and the 420ex. good to have a slave as well.

[robertwgross]

... why not just buy a new sigma super 500. they are abuot 200USD and are the exact same thing as a 550EX.

This is blatantly a false statement.

Many people report the Sigma as being roughly similar in performance to a Canon 550EX, but they sure as hell are not the exact same thing, and Eric should be careful of stating such crap as that.

---Bob Gross---

[Eric DeCastro]

This is blatantly a false statement.

Many people report the Sigma as being roughly similar in performance to a Canon 550EX, but they sure as hell are not the exact same thing, and Eric should be careful of stating such crap as that.

---Bob Gross---

:rolleyes: yeah are the smartest person in the world...

you were the guy that jumped in the lake when was told to., idiot.

[Medic1]

Easy guys......

[robertwgross]

:rolleyes: yeah are the smartest person in the world...

you were the guy that jumped in the lake when was told to., idiot.

Eric, I can't parse your message.

You made a false statement. If you really think it is true, then support it. Otherwise, don't post crap like that here.

---Bob Gross---

[lmelendez]

I will most likely buy both.....how on earth could I possibly pass up the oppourtunity...sorry!

I just had to give it a shot :)

It is indeed a good deal. Enjoy the flashes!

Regards,

Leo.

[robertwgross]

There was a claim made that the Sigma Super 500 flash is exactly the same as a Canon 550EX flash. I took exception to that. Let's look at the facts.

1. Both Canon and Sigma will work with Canon EOS cameras in ETTL mode. The general features are very similar.
2. The Canon guide number is 55, and the Sigma number is 50. That is not a huge difference.
3. The Canon flash will accept an external power pack on the side. Sigma has no such feature.
4. The Canon flash offers custom features 1-6. Sigma has none.
5. The Canon flash can zoom out to cover a 24mm lens field of view. Sigma zooms out to 28mm.
6. There are other rather small differences as well. Sigma has some small reverse-compatibility issues also.
7. This is somewhat subjective, but most people claim that the Canon unit is better built, easier to operate, and perhaps more reliable.

If the claim had been made that the two units are very similar, and Sigma is much cheaper than Canon, there would have been no argument. However, "exact same thing" was not correct. I just wanted to set the record straight.

---Bob Gross---

[Andy_T]

Some more information here:

http://photonotes.org/reviews/sigma-ef-500-super/

Best regards,
Andy

[Cadwell]

Some more information here:

http://photonotes.org/reviews/sigma-ef-500-super/

Best regards,
Andy

Andy, that review is out of date. Sigma released an "ETTL-II compatible" updated version of the EF 500 DG SUPER late 2004/2005. Info here http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/500super.htm and here http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/500super-compat.htm

Confusingly, they didn't change the model name so people are just refering to it as the "new EF 500 DG SUPER".

[Jon]

Since E-TTL II is all in the camera, what did they have to do to the flash? Are they referring to some of the non-E-TTL II functionality that Canon added to the 580 (support for different sensor sizes, colour temperature reporting)? If so, I don't see that mentioned anywhere. Any E-TTL flash will work with E-TTL II on an E-TTL II camera.

[Cadwell]

Since E-TTL II is all in the camera, what did they have to do to the flash? Are they referring to some of the non-E-TTL II functionality that Canon added to the 580 (support for different sensor sizes, colour temperature reporting)? If so, I don't see that mentioned anywhere. Any E-TTL flash will work with E-TTL II on an E-TTL II camera.


Precisely why I put "ETTL-II compatible" in quotes. Sigma's designation, not mine.

[Jon]

Maybe they didn't rename it because it's still the exact same unit; only the advertising copy having been changed.

[who me?]

Since E-TTL II is all in the camera, what did they have to do to the flash? Are they referring to some of the non-E-TTL II functionality that Canon added to the 580 (support for different sensor sizes, colour temperature reporting)? If so, I don't see that mentioned anywhere. Any E-TTL flash will work with E-TTL II on an E-TTL II camera.

And if most of the improvements went into the cameras WHY is the 580 so bleepin expensive!?!?!? I would love to get a nice flash but to me the 580 is about $150-200 overpriced for what I see are minor updates to the 550. Can someone who knows, educate me on why the 580 is worth the $$?
Sorry, just ranting.

[robertwgross]

And if most of the improvements went into the cameras WHY is the 580 so bleepin expensive!?!?!? I would love to get a nice flash but to me the 580 is about $150-200 overpriced for what I see are minor updates to the 550. Can someone who knows, educate me on why the 580 is worth the $$?
Sorry, just ranting.

I hear your rant, and I'll raise you one rant. I don't know why it's so expensive, but if I had to guess, I would guess "marketing". Nobody said that it is worth the extra cost. That is a decision for the customer to make.

---Bob Gross---

[Jesper]

I know I should buy both, but I have a line on a couple of flashes that a friend is looking to upgrade from and I can probably get them dirt cheap.

Canon 420EX (around $100 CDN), just doesn't want it anymore

Canon 550EX (around $200 CDN), has two and is changing one to a 580

What is the life of a flash and how can I tell how much life they have left in them?

If I only buy one, I am obviously thinking the 550, but is there a benefit to having both at some point down the road?
I don't know how long a flash tube lasts, but I'm sure it lasts a very long time. If it breaks in the end you could even replace it yourself, at least if you feel confident enough to do it.....: http://www.ahomls.com/550EX/

About having both the 420 and 550: You can use them both at the same time, set the 550 to Master mode and the 420 to Slave mode. This gives you a lot of creative possibilities. For example: http://www.filmlessphotos.ca/IndexPage.htm

[Jon]

And if most of the improvements went into the cameras WHY is the 580 so bleepin expensive!?!?!? I would love to get a nice flash but to me the 580 is about $150-200 overpriced for what I see are minor updates to the 550. Can someone who knows, educate me on why the 580 is worth the $$?
Sorry, just ranting.

I didn't say most of the improvements went into the camera. I said E-TTL II was in the camera. Canon upped the GN, speeded recycle time, added colour temerature transmission to compatible cameras, and added sensor-size recognition to the zoom head, all while making the 580EX noticeably smaller than the 550EX.