Canon 270EX for travel?

Having just taken my new 5D3 for a trip to Singapore (on holiday), and tried to travel light (body plus 16-35L & 24-70L), the only real issue I had was the lack of flash for fill-in, because the 5D3 doesn't have a built-in flash. I have a Nissin Di866 but decided to leave it behind, to save weight and bulk when walking around. And boy oh boy was I right - the heat and humidity made even this 'small' kit a PITA at times. I was never tempted to leave the camera behind though........

So I'm thinking I might buy a 'travel flash'. Something small and lightweight. Hence, the little 270EX is under consideration. Bearing in mind I don't want something that can be used for full-on flash-lit images (I would take the Nissin if that were the case) and only want to be able to fill-in backlit subjects (usually people within a few metres) do you think the little unit is worth buying?

Steve of Cornubia wrote in post #14375349
Having just taken my new 5D3 for a trip to Singapore (on holiday), and tried to travel light (body plus 16-35L & 24-70L), the only real issue I had was the lack of flash for fill-in, because the 5D3 doesn't have a built-in flash. I have a Nissin Di866 but decided to leave it behind, to save weight and bulk when walking around. And boy oh boy was I right - the heat and humidity made even this 'small' kit a PITA at times. I was never tempted to leave the camera behind though........

So I'm thinking I might buy a 'travel flash'. Something small and lightweight. Hence, the little 270EX is under consideration. Bearing in mind I don't want something that can be used for full-on flash-lit images (I would take the Nissin if that were the case) and only want to be able to fill-in backlit subjects (usually people within a few metres) do you think the little unit is worth buying?

The 270EXII is nice and small but the head does not swivel...it tilts but doesn't swivel. I've found the 320EX for being just a bit bigger...throws more light *and* you can take advantage of walls etc. to really enlarge your light source especially whern there is no ceiling for bounce.

The LED while no where near equivalent to say a CN160 LED panel will in a pinch light up something close by so which will be of some small help in video work.

I just got one for the exact same reason. Not had much chance to try it out yet but so long as you are just using it for fill and not expecting too much from it I think it will be fine. The lack of swivel is a non issue for me as if you're outside using it for fill, it's unlikely there will be a conveniently positioned wall to bounce off! Direct flash for fill is fine - you're not creating shadows, you're filling them in.

Meh, I’d get a 430 EX II instead. If I will take a flash, it’s already an external flash, so why not get a 430 EX II? It's not that much heavier. and you can swivel the head.