speedlite 420ex

pipodeclown · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

Hello,

I would like to buy a Canon Speedlite 420 EX. My current Metz 32MZ-3 flash does not work properly with my new G3.
I've seen de Speedlite 420 EX in the US for much lower prices than here in Europe. Does anybody know if there are differences between the 420 which is sold in the US and the 420 sold in Europe.

Thanks in advance

Robert

benca1 · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

Robert, I did a little research on this just before ordering my 420 yesterday. What good timing you have!

No. There are no physical differences whatsoever between "gray market" goodies and domestic ones. Apparently the only real difference is that the warranty will not be honored. So order from the US if you like. By the way, it's cheaper here to buy the european 420 then it is to buy the American (domestic) version.

I purchased my 420ex from andoramacamera for 170 american dollars. It includes a 15 dollar rebate making the final price 155. I chuckle about this, because this is the going rate on ebay for one used. Ebay annoys.... people always bid up the good stuff to a price that with a little research could be done for new (and from a reputable seller).

Anyway, I hope this helps.

pukkita · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

none (apart from warranty) that I know of.

Prices in Europe are laughable (230 euro the best price, 270 euro average) while you can get one at bhphoto or adorama for $160, which is about 136 Euro. Add about $30 shipping for a total cost of $190, and that's 162Eur. that's almost a 100 eur price difference.

The only problem are customs. Depending the country you're in, even with customs the price will be lower. On mine staying away from couriers (specially USPS) and using postal service results usually on customs ignoring these packages.

pukkita · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

benca, I agree with you regarding ebay; hot items (cameras, flashes, etc) reach prices that are usually above those from competitive online shops.

jpmccormac · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

As mentioned, there is no difference in USA vs European models except price and warranty. However, be aware that the G3 does NOT support the 420EX's AF assist.

Dana · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

Quote:

jpmccormac wrote:
As mentioned, there is no difference in USA vs European models except price and warranty. However, be aware that the G3 does NOT support the 420EX's AF assist.

FYI:

If you purchase the European model in the US from B&H Photo Video, they provide a full year warranty that matches the Canon warranty.

Dana

discusws · 8th of June 2003 (Sun)

Yo All,

I did order many times outside Europe to get things cheaper but my country is doing an extra tax on top of it (19%) so it is probably not worth to do it.

In the Netherlands cheapest price for an 420 EX = 220 Euro and in Germany 200 Euro

So for me the difference prices are:
Netherlands = 220 € + 11 €schipping = 231 €
German = 200 €+ 22 € schipping = 242 €
USA = 160 $ +30 $ schipping = 162 € + 19% vat = 192 €

I personally think that that is it not worth.

In another way when you know somebody and you can send mony in an enveloppe and they send it back in an noname package you can fool import authorities and than it is a lot cheaper.

Regards Walter

dujie · 10th of June 2003 (Tue)

Quote:

jpmccormac wrote:
As mentioned, there is no difference in USA vs European models except price and warranty. However, be aware that the G3 does NOT support the 420EX's AF assist.

Does the G3 AF assist work with any flash? I am interested in purchasing an external flash and was just wondering.

Thanks
Dujie

verT · 10th of June 2003 (Tue)

Quote:

dujie wrote:
Does the G3 AF assist work with any flash? I am interested in purchasing an external flash and was just wondering.

Thanks
Dujie

From my understanding the only flash that will "talk" with the G3 is the Canon flash. You can use another flash but you will have to set the flash up manually.

dujie · 10th of June 2003 (Tue)

Thanks verT.

It is unfourtunate that the AF assist does not work with Canon lenses.

dujie

jglisson73 · 16th of June 2003 (Mon)

I emailed Canon support about the AF Assist light on the 420 EX not working with the G3, and asked if the AF Assist on works with any other flash. They wrote back that the speedlite flash AF Assist light will not work with any camera that has its own AF Assist light built in.

Well...there it is, straight from the horse's mouth!

John

dujie · 16th of June 2003 (Mon)

Thanks John. That is interesting information!

Dujie

benca1 · 16th of June 2003 (Mon)

Quote:

jglisson73 wrote:
I emailed Canon support about the AF Assist light on the 420 EX not working with the G3, and asked if the AF Assist on works with any other flash. They wrote back that the speedlite flash AF Assist light will not work with any camera that has its own AF Assist light built in.

Well...there it is, straight from the horse's mouth!

John

Oh man. But then they only sell a 58mm adapater that blocks the AF assist light.

I'll blame marketing instead of Canon engineering.

jglisson73 · 16th of June 2003 (Mon)

That's a great point benca1...definitely a disappointment.

RajaBhat · 16th of June 2003 (Mon)

Benca1:
>

Have you looked up www.lensmateonline.com where they have all kinds of tests comparing their 52 mm barrel and how it affects flash etc...as compared to the 58 mm Canon.
Raja

8th of June 2003 (Sun)	#1
pipodeclown Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 7	speedlite 420ex Hello, I would like to buy a Canon Speedlite 420 EX. My current Metz 32MZ-3 flash does not work properly with my new G3. I've seen de Speedlite 420 EX in the US for much lower prices than here in Europe. Does anybody know if there are differences between the 420 which is sold in the US and the 420 sold in Europe. Thanks in advance Robert

8th of June 2003 (Sun)	#2
benca1 User is banned from forums Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose Posts: 480 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: speedlite 420ex Robert, I did a little research on this just before ordering my 420 yesterday. What good timing you have! No. There are no physical differences whatsoever between "gray market" goodies and domestic ones. Apparently the only real difference is that the warranty will not be honored. So order from the US if you like. By the way, it's cheaper here to buy the european 420 then it is to buy the American (domestic) version. I purchased my 420ex from andoramacamera for 170 american dollars. It includes a 15 dollar rebate making the final price 155. I chuckle about this, because this is the going rate on ebay for one used. Ebay annoys.... people always bid up the good stuff to a price that with a little research could be done for new (and from a reputable seller). Anyway, I hope this helps.

8th of June 2003 (Sun)	#3
pukkita Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 144	Re: speedlite 420ex none (apart from warranty) that I know of. Prices in Europe are laughable (230 euro the best price, 270 euro average) while you can get one at bhphoto or adorama for $160, which is about 136 Euro. Add about $30 shipping for a total cost of $190, and that's 162Eur. that's almost a 100 eur price difference. The only problem are customs. Depending the country you're in, even with customs the price will be lower. On mine staying away from couriers (specially USPS) and using postal service results usually on customs ignoring these packages.

8th of June 2003 (Sun)	#4
pukkita Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 144	Re: speedlite 420ex benca, I agree with you regarding ebay; hot items (cameras, flashes, etc) reach prices that are usually above those from competitive online shops.

8th of June 2003 (Sun)	#5
jpmccormac Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Central Florida Posts: 122	Re: speedlite 420ex As mentioned, there is no difference in USA vs European models except price and warranty. However, be aware that the G3 does NOT support the 420EX's AF assist.

8th of June 2003 (Sun)	#7
discusws Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 32	Re: speedlite 420ex Yo All, I did order many times outside Europe to get things cheaper but my country is doing an extra tax on top of it (19%) so it is probably not worth to do it. In the Netherlands cheapest price for an 420 EX = 220 Euro and in Germany 200 Euro So for me the difference prices are: Netherlands = 220 € + 11 €schipping = 231 € German = 200 €+ 22 € schipping = 242 € USA = 160 $ +30 $ schipping = 162 € + 19% vat = 192 € I personally think that that is it not worth. In another way when you know somebody and you can send mony in an enveloppe and they send it back in an noname package you can fool import authorities and than it is a lot cheaper. Regards Walter

10th of June 2003 (Tue)	#10
dujie Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 108	Re: speedlite 420ex Thanks verT. It is unfourtunate that the AF assist does not work with Canon lenses. dujie

16th of June 2003 (Mon)	#11
jglisson73 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 231	Re: speedlite 420ex I emailed Canon support about the AF Assist light on the 420 EX not working with the G3, and asked if the AF Assist on works with any other flash. They wrote back that the speedlite flash AF Assist light will not work with any camera that has its own AF Assist light built in. Well...there it is, straight from the horse's mouth! John

16th of June 2003 (Mon)	#12
dujie Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 108	Re: speedlite 420ex Thanks John. That is interesting information! Dujie

16th of June 2003 (Mon)	#14
jglisson73 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 231	Re: speedlite 420ex That's a great point benca1...definitely a disappointment.

16th of June 2003 (Mon)	#15
RajaBhat Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 84	Re: speedlite 420ex Benca1: > Have you looked up www.lensmateonline.com where they have all kinds of tests comparing their 52 mm barrel and how it affects flash etc...as compared to the 58 mm Canon. Raja

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