New Canon 470EX AI Automatically Bounces Flash So You Dont Have To

boufa wrote in post #19065825
Well, this has been a thread of looking only at your own potential uses and judging others. After reading these comments, I almost canceled the order I just placed for a refurb of this flash. Then I realized I am not you guys... and most of the world isn't either.

People shoot photos with canon DSLRs that are not pros, or not even enthusiasts. Some have no clue and are not interested at all in learning. Maybe they take snapshots of their kids, or weddings, etc. I would bet there are far more of those people than us. I would be 99% of the people that would buy this flash don't care 1 little bit about wireless triggering of other flashes.

In my case.. I am an enthusiast, who loves wildlife, some landscape, transportation, and other general outdoor photography... so this flash is perfect!

Now that you are done hitting the reply button to call me a fool... read on...

Of course, my whole family knows I am the guy with the nice camera... so obviously, I have to shoot parties, holidays, etc... and I simply don't do that (its the only time the camera goes on auto..ever! I take terrible people pictures, and I have very little desire to learn... I just don't enjoy it. But to stay married, I need to do it from time to time. This flash looks like it will increase my keeper rate and quality in those circumstances...and that makes me a keeper to my wife, thus money well spent (on most days).

I am the target market... judge away.

Well maybe. OK I'm opinionated, I accept that. The thing is, I'm also the guy with the camera in my family, the guy who shoots at family events so while not even close to pro I've done my share of flash and bounced flash under different conditions so I think I know what I'm talking about, I think.... I'd love a flash that could scan my surroundings and determine optimal bounce angles no matter how I turn my camera and move into the position quickly. As is the optimal bounce surface is rarely the ceiling and at family event, well even sometimes at location portrait shoots, you move a lot changing angles, going from and to bounce surfaces left and right so what sounds like a good idea can end up being limiting and slowing you down.
Bottom line, I dont find the feature Worth the money. As I see it you get much more value from a standard speedlight, a trigger or even cheaper a TTL cable. For the money saved you may be able to buy a light stand, speedlight mount and an umbrella. Offcource if you find it's the flash for you buy it, have fun and be creative.That does not make you a fool.

boufa wrote in post #19068040
I will do.

I have had some luck on these forums and have gleaned out some decent info over the years...its there ya gotta look for it.

Right now I am losing a battle with camera canada as to the location of my new 90d... they swear they shipped it, the post office says nope.

Once that settles out I will give you my view of the flash.

All the best tracking the 90d, you’ll be pleased with it once it rocks up. it’s a great camera for the money, I’m pleased with mine.

I suddenly found myself in need of a dedicated flash and opted for the 470EX AI. I generally hate using one because I don't care for the look of an on-camera flash so this is a simple tool to solve a problem. I usually shoot Commercial and Marketing projects but that has slowed drastically with the pandemic so an occasional run and gun style shoot may be the only thing offered for awhile. If it weren't for this new flash, I probably would have spent much more on the 600EX-RT. To add context, I think the last dedicated flash I owned was a Nikon SB-27 which was a small low profile flash that performed well.

boufa wrote in post #19068040
I will do.

I have had some luck on these forums and have gleaned out some decent info over the years...its there ya gotta look for it.

Right now I am losing a battle with camera canada as to the location of my new 90d... they swear they shipped it, the post office says nope.

Once that settles out I will give you my view of the flash.

Boufa,
I hope they resolved the issue of the MIA Canon 90D. Did it get hung up in Customs?
More importantly, what do you think of the 470EX AI flash, having had some time to use it in a variety of situation?