What Flash To Get!!!!!

[scotgasch]

I am getting my 10D sometime next week.....maybe.....anyway I was wondering if anyone has used the 420ex and is the 550ex worth the price difference. I currently have the 540ez but am told that it will only function in manual mode.

[Barnsie]

I just went through the same dilemma. I picked up a 420EX, and I'm thrilled with the decision. I expect to pick up a 550EX eventually, but for the same price now, I picked up the 420 and a grip. The flash works great for the general purpose sorts of stuff I've used it for so far. My only minor complaint is that the battery door feels a little flimsy compaired to my old 430EZ's, but to be honest, I don't know that the door on the 500 is any better.

CB

[Cal Maier]

I think you will have to decide how much you will be using your flash. If you will be using it for general photography ie. family shots, etc. and in the ETTL mode only, the 420EX is an excellent choice and is less than half the price of the 550EX. If you require more control and a more powerful flash, then the 550EX is the one to get.
I'm using the 550EX with the 10D and so far I'm getting good exposures in ETTL and in Manual.

Quite a few people will buy the 420EX first and add the 550EX down the road so they can take advantage of the 420EX slaving abilities.

I don't think you would be unhappy with either of these flashes with the 10D, and Barnsie's idea of getting both the 420 and the grip makes a lot of sense. You definately will want the grip if you do a lot of handheld portrait work. Another must have accessory is the TTL off-camera hot shoe cable. This allows you to get the flash off the camera and hand hold, or mount it on a stroboframe for those times when you want to orient the flash over the lens or throw some light into a difficult macro shot, etc.

Hope this helps,

Cal

[spark]

Agreed with Cal

[martcol]

I had the 420 before I got my 10D. I used to use it with my G2 with which, it was really difficult to use - all the subtle tones between burned-out and nuked! On my 10D it is fabulous for general use and I am planning to save for the 520 especially, to try the slave thing.

Martin