Is there a tiny hot-shoe flash available?

Is there a small low-profile hot-shoe flash that can essentially mimic a pop-up in size, power, and automation?

I realized that's the only reason I even keep the 7D - for the pop-up. I'd much prefer to just use the 5Dii for everything.

This weekend was a perfect example. I attended my nephew's wedding but, as a guest, it would just be weird for me to mount even a 430EX on my 5Dii. ... even if I were inclined to lug it around, which I'm not. So I brought the noisy 7D instead.

NBEast wrote in post #17760260
Is there a small low-profile hot-shoe flash that can essentially mimic a pop-up in size, power, and automation?

I realized that's the only reason I even keep the 7D - for the pop-up. I'd much prefer to just use the 5Dii for everything.

This weekend was a perfect example. I attended my nephew's wedding but, as a guest, it would just be weird for me to mount even a 430EX on my 5Dii. ... even if I were inclined to lug it around, which I'm not. So I brought the noisy 7D instead.

Heya,

Yeap. Take a look at the Canon 90EX ($40 used), which is basically the equivalent of a pop-up flash (meant for the EOS-M, but should work on basically any Canon hot shoe). Note it is not that powerful, a bit weaker than the pop-up flash on your 7D actually. But it's a cheap way to get a quick small flash as you asked.

Also look at the Canon 270EXII. A bit larger, much more powerful, swivel, still great, around $170 new, $140 used or so? Much more powerful, titling head, all that. Without the big flash body. Still small enough to not be crazy looking, yet powerful enough to actually matter.

Very best,

Thanks. It sounds suitable but if it were even smaller (thinner & less intimidating to the subject) and if it used the camera's battery it would be even better.

I usually use manual or AV exposure mode, crank up the ISO, and use the pop-up flash (manually reduced to near minimum) to fill the shadows and add some pop.

Anyone know if a 3rd party essentially mimics the Pop-up? So; no battery and small footprint?

NBEast wrote in post #17760298
Thanks. It sounds suitable but if it were even smaller (thinner & less intimidating to the subject) and if it used the camera's battery it would be even better.

I usually use manual or AV exposure mode, crank up the ISO, and use the pop-up flash (manually reduced to near minimum) to fill the shadows and add some pop.

Anyone know if a 3rd party essentially mimics the Pop-up? So; no battery and small footprint?

No. The flash cannot draw power from the camera, the circuitry isn't there for that. The two models memtioned above are really the two options with the 270II being the better because you have some bounce capanilty. Using the popup is a recipe for bad photos so it would help to rethink and get yourself a capable flash like a 430exII.

NBEast wrote in post #17760298
Thanks. It sounds suitable but if it were even smaller (thinner & less intimidating to the subject) and if it used the camera's battery it would be even better.

I usually use manual or AV exposure mode, crank up the ISO, and use the pop-up flash (manually reduced to near minimum) to fill the shadows and add some pop.

Anyone know if a 3rd party essentially mimics the Pop-up? So; no battery and small footprint?

I don't think you're going to get a third party, nor Canon, that uses the camera's battery. Everything will have to seat in the hot shoe and require batteries.

Example of sizes (not my photos, so linking):

90EX on 5D body
270EX II on 5D body

The 90EX is truly tiny. But the 270EX II has enough power, and can be used for bounce with ETTL, making it the far, far better flash.

If you need smaller, you might as well learn to live without flash, or get a modern APS-C with pop-up flash, like a 70D, that has similar ISO noise as the 5D2.

Very best,

270 is the way to go here. tiny, not really much larger than the 90, but a lot better.

Thanks, very helpful. Good to know the wiring's not there for tapping into the camera's battery so I can stop looking.

They look similar in size so I agree the 270II, with it's bouncing capability and probably other improvements, is the way to go.

Gonzogolf: I have a few flashes (mix of 430EX, 580EX, and 2 580EXii) but they're too much when I want to stay on the down-low. The 7D has internal flash settings that allows it to be used for catchlight and lifting shadows a bit. For very dark settings, I agree it's an uglifier.

If the 5Dii had a pop-up I'd have trashed my 7D years ago. Nikon gets it, sigh. But Canon has other advantages so I'll try this wanna-popup.

How about A RING LIGHT? It's mostly used for macro but I've seen them used very effectively for portraits and other fill uses. It's not very powerful though.

Take a look at the Meike/Neewer 320 series. It was a nice little flash when I used it on the Fuji- they have Canon models as well. Ettl or manual power, tilts, GN around 32 if I remember correctly.

The 270 is my suggestion. I never travel without it and it works well.

I'm reading some reviews and the recurring complaint is slow recycle time (up to 15 seconds).

I'm used to the Canon pop-up or 580EXii that are both usually about 1 or 2 seconds on a fresh battery.

Anyone know if it's much faster if I crank up the ISO so it doesn't need as much juice? You'd think so, but it would be nice if someone actually knows.

NBEast wrote in post #17761420
I'm reading some reviews and the recurring complaint is slow recycle time (up to 15 seconds).

I'm used to the Canon pop-up or 580EXii that are both usually about 1 or 2 seconds on a fresh battery.

Anyone know if it's much faster if I crank up the ISO so it doesn't need as much juice? You'd think so, but it would be nice if someone actually knows.

Stands to reason that less power out means quicker recycle times. Usually the reviews cite recyle times from full, power with fresh batteries. But its not going to recycle as fast as a 580exII with only half the batteries.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17761427
Stands to reason that less power out means quicker recycle times. Usually the reviews cite recyle times from full, power with fresh batteries. But its not going to recycle as fast as a 580exII with only half the batteries.

Thanks. Ordered one yesterday. Guess I'll see for myself.

I got a used 220ex for when I don't want to lug around my 580ex ii. Better recycle times and better AF assist than the 270, and it rocks for daylight fill flash.

Recycle is fine. At ISO 800 in pretty dim indoors, the charge lasted for 3 rapid flashes then needed to recharge. Works for me!

One thing: The used one I got is loose (can be wiggled) when locked in. It seems to work fine, but I'm wondering if it might be a problem down the line. Its a hassle to return it but the reseller offered 30 days satisfaction guarantee (Amazon).

Anyone else have a wiggle?