EOS 20D and 420EX compatability

I recently purchased an EOS 20D. I have a 420EX that I use with my 35mm. How compatable is the 420EX with the 20D? Or should I face the fact that I should consider purchasing the 580EX. Any advice is appreciated!

JZ

The 420EX is 100% compatable. Its a very good flash. Use it without worry.

What kind of answer is this? Sure, it's 100% accurate, but aren't we supposed to encourage the purchase of new equipment? How is a persons supposed to get purchases by the spouse if they aren't recommended?

That being said, the 420EX will work great but....if you add a 550EX or a 580EX you will have a master and slave set-up that would be dynamic in many situations and definitely improve your photography.

Oh, and welcome to the forums...

I can't remember where I read that the 420EX does not compensate for the 1.6x lens difference that the digital have over the 35mm. Should this be a concern and if so, how is this hurdle crossed?

The only currently available flash that can utilize that aspect of ETTLII is the 580EX. I wouldn't worry about it. I use (3) 550EX's and have no interest in a 580EX at this time.

Very sensible - Unless you really need huge power over a long distance with a tele lens then the 550EX is just as good at a significantly cheaper price.

Happy snapping, David

i love flash

I get interested in flash every now and again but then get bored again However, I did see an ebay advert for a 'bargain' Sigma 500 Super that said it was 'compatible with ETTLII' ... now compatible is one of those tricky words that could easily lead me astray, so what does it mean in this context?

Is the 500 worth buying and so saving some money over for the Canon options, for a 'general use but might get more excited' kinda user like me? I was thinking the 550 Canon as an alternative more than the 580.

You need the Sigma 500 DG Super to work with wireless ETTL.

condyk wrote:
I get interested in flash every now and again but then get bored again However, I did see an ebay advert for a 'bargain' Sigma 500 Super that said it was 'compatible with ETTLII' ... now compatible is one of those tricky words that could easily lead me astray, so what does it mean in this context?

Is the 500 worth buying and so saving some money over for the Canon options, for a 'general use but might get more excited' kinda user like me? I was thinking the 550 Canon as an alternative more than the 580.

I was a flash sceptic myself until recently. I wanted to shoot people against a window and flash was the only way to balance the exposure. As your main interest is wildlife, I guess you wouldn't have much use for it.

Graham

I looked into this in some detail before buying a 420EX for my 350d. It works perfectly. It is true that the focal length information sent to the flash from the lens causes the flash to "zoom" itself as if it is attached to a 35mm full-frame camera, but this would tend to spread the light over a wider area than is coverd by the "1.6x crop" sensor - i.e. some light is wasted - and at least this means coverage is even with no drop-off.

However I have found I need to set the FEC to +1 stop - but having done this, exposures using flash are very accurate indeed. To determine this correction, I only needed to shoot about 5 exposures and check the histogram. Your 20D should behave the same way.

The 420EX is a lot smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the 550/580EX flashes, and can always be used as a slave if you later buy a higher rated unit.

Yes, I remember that thread. It was an interesting one. Flash would have worked with some of the closer Swan shots I've taken recently where the white areas were blown out (UK?? Sun??!!) ... and who knows I may well develop a new interest once I get one, especially in the UK which is a bit sparce on big game

Is there any problem getting a SH 550, for example, which would be similar priced to the new 500 DG Super that Scott mentioned, i.e. does anything need replacing after significant usage?

A well maintained (not abused )550EX will last you for many years.

How do you abuse a 550EX flash?

Call it dirty names, like Vivitar?

---Bob Gross---

...or Sigma?