Canon flash - DPChallenge Forums

04/24/2004 09:59:30 PM · #1

I'm sure this topic has been discussed before. I have a canon 10d and am looking to use it on a semi-pro basis. I need a flash and have been looking at the 550. Then I saw the 420 and am having second thoughts as to what I should purchase. Anyone care to share their experience? Thank you in advance.

arnit

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

04/24/2004 10:12:38 PM · #2

I would go for the 550EX. You will not regret it.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/24/2004 10:20:36 PM · #3

Yeah that's kind of what I figured. I had a long agonizing time debating between the rebel and the 10d. I decided on the 10d because I am the type of person that will utilitize every feature on a product. Plus I figure if I can do well with it and make some money one day I'll be able to justify something better.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

04/24/2004 10:23:11 PM · #4

Originally posted by myoshik:

I have gone through this same process, and you sound alot like me. If its got a feature, I'll use it.
I decided to get the 550 as well (haven't yet, I keep buying other stuff, LOL).

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

04/24/2004 10:25:42 PM · #5

The 550EX is definitely a work-horse. The two biggest benefits to me (besides the extra power, of course): you can use it in manual mode (nice for optically triggering studio strobes), and you can use it as a "master" in a multi-flash setup. Add a couple 420EX's as wireless off-camera slaves later on and you've got some pretty cool lighting possibilities...

04/24/2004 10:30:29 PM · #6

That was another future reason for looking at the 550 since I am planning on starting a portrait photography business. There are only a few people that do it around here and most of them charge big $$. One of the higher end people makes $200,000+/yr. I have seen her work and I think I could do just as well.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/24/2004 11:11:08 PM · #7

Originally posted by EddyG:

Add a couple 420EX's as wireless off-camera slaves later on and you've got some pretty cool lighting possibilities...

I picked the 420EX for the same reason in reverse :) I can add a 550ex as a master later if I find out I'm actuallying using flash much.

Jacko

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/24/2004 11:21:58 PM · #8

My first purchase was a 550EX because it was more badass of course. Then I got a ST-E2 wirelesss transmitter and 420EX so I can do portraits (2 flashes activated off cam). I also bought lightstands and umbrellas. I ran a test last night and I think they'll work great.

Get the 550EX if you can afford it. The 420EX is still works great for bounche flash but has a little less power.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

04/24/2004 11:25:00 PM · #9

Originally posted by myoshik:

Get the 550EX and if you can, get the ST-E2 remote to allow you to shoot the flash off-camera. See example:

04/25/2004 12:13:55 AM · #10

ok I'm definitely going to have to get the remote. Jacko--what all do you have for portraits? I'm trying to assemble equipment right now to build a small studio. Thanks for all the input, this is a great forum. Glad I stumbled upon it.

04/25/2004 12:17:09 AM · #11

Also is there a way to cable attach the 550 to a 10d?

fsteddy

04/25/2004 01:24:51 AM · #12

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12972&is=REG
This might be what you need.

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

04/25/2004 03:12:01 AM · #13

I have the 420 and love it. Went for the 420 over the 550 due to price and also the 550 was too bulky for what I wanted.

The 550 is definitely the better unit though in general terms. One day I'll grab one too and then use the 420 as slave.

I have the off shoe cord and it is one of my favourite accessories, I use it constantly. It's pricey for what it is but well worth having :)

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

04/25/2004 07:28:42 AM · #14

I also have the 420ex.
Weight and price were two determining factors. I also figured eventually the 420 would become a slave.
Let me tell you, the 420 does a pretty good job. I have used it for several professional jobs. One good thing is it is a pretty easy flash to use. Just turn it on and its good to go.
If you are really looking to go pro, you will need backups for everything. My rebel and 420 at some point in the near future will become my backups. But for now are both performing well.
For full portrait studio set ups, the flashes are a little weaker then regular strobes. I will be getting two alien bee strobes for studio lighting. Flashes on camera can also trigger strobes I believe.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

04/25/2004 10:22:12 AM · #15

Originally posted by TerryGee:

Flashes on camera can also trigger strobes I believe.

Because of the way E-TTL works, it actually fires imperceptible "pre-flashes" to determine how much flash power is necessary for a "good" exposure. These pre-flashes are detected by optically-fired slaves, and cause them to fire "out of sync" with the shutter operation. That is one reason I specifically mentioned that the 550EX is able to operate in manual mode -- you set the power level, and it fires just once (no E-TTL calculations) when the shutter is opened. If you manually set the power to its lowest level, it is still enough to fire the slaves, but doesn't provide enough light to really affect the exposure.

The other choice is to use a wired "sync cord". This is a little less optimal in my opinion because you're dragging a cord around the studio, but very cost effective. The 300D doesn't have a PC sync cord, but you can use a cheap adapter to add one. The disadvantage there is that the cord is now a little more "in the way" of the controls because it has to go up to the top of the camera.

For even more money, you can invest in a "serious" wireless setup, that uses radio frequencies to trigger the strobes. You buy a transmitter for the camera (which mounts in the hot shoe) and a receiver for each strobe. One of the most popular is the PocketWizard.

Like Jacko, right now I'm using 550EX/420EX/ST-E2 shot into umbrellas and getting really nice results (wirelessly, with full E-TTL) plus remotely-controllable lighting ratios and it all runs on batteries, making it very portable. (My Portrait challenge entry was shot using that setup plus some window light. This picture of Callie was shot "on location" with just the speedlights into umbrellas and the ST-E2 on-camera in a dark room.)

Message edited by author 2004-04-25 11:39:50.

Nazgul

04/25/2004 10:29:27 AM · #16

Originally posted by fsteddy:

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12972&is=REG
This might be what you need.

do you know if this is compatible with Sigma flashes on a Canon?

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

04/25/2004 11:11:05 AM · #17

Nazgul,
That is compatible with any flash that will work on the 10D body you have (or the 300D for that matter). I use this cord when I mount the 550 to my flash bracket. You could also use that to more the flash a little bit away from the camera. This is really a solution for bracket use. To really move the flash for dynamic lighting you will need something like the Canon ST-E2 or the Pocket Wizard type setup that Eddy was mentioning.

Kev

Nazgul

04/25/2004 12:24:21 PM · #18

Thans for that Kev..

I would like to have that ST-E2 thingy but that would mean IÂ´d have to get a Speedlite 550, and that would cost my an arm and a leg which i cant afford to loose at the moment....

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

04/25/2004 12:31:40 PM · #19

The ST-E2 mounted onto your camera will also drive a 420EX. In fact, you could eventually get several 420's and one ST-E2 and mount all the flashes on light stands. You could then put the ST-E2 on the camera and when you shoot, all the flashes would fire. It would be the same as how the 550s would work except the 420s could only be slaves; not slave or master.

Kev

04/25/2004 02:44:57 PM · #20

What is the best source for umbrellas? I saw some on ebay with stands for around $200.00. Sound about right? Also what should I be looking for feature wise? Thanks once again for all the replies, this has been me most enlightening (sorry, couldn't help it).

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

04/26/2004 08:35:21 AM · #21

For reference, $200 will get you a decent set of brand-name umbrellas and stands from B&H, brand new.

I use Photek SoftLiter umbrellas. They are a bit more expensive than plain old regular umbreallas (which you can find for <$20), but they come with a diffuser that you can use to soften the light even further. The 36" version is $50.

You can get a decent, 9.5', air-cushioned, black (less reflective) light stand for $39.

If you are going to use speedlights, you just need some adapters to go on the lightstands that hold the umbrella and the speedlight, such as this $17 mount. Studio strobes will typically attach directly to the lightstand and have their own umbrella mounting mechanism.

heida

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/26/2004 08:46:54 AM · #22

Eddy what kind of light do you use?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

04/26/2004 08:58:58 AM · #23

When I was doing commercial work, we would use these little "peanut" slaves that would trigger a remote flash unit when another flash was set off. Very useful if you don't want to run a cable halfway across a building. The pre-flash from an E-TTL setup will cause regular slaves to trigger out of sync with the shutter, but there are optical slaves that are compatible with systems that use a pre-flash like E-TTL does. Basically, they ignore the pre-flash and trigger only on the main flash.

I would look at the Wein slaves.

Don't ask me how it works, I don't know.

Jacko

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/26/2004 09:14:23 AM · #24

I got two of these flash mounts and umbrella holders - $15.95 each

I got two of these light stands (the 8.5 feet one) for $52.95

Two of these 45" silver umbrellas - $19

Two of these 40" white umbrellas to bounce off or shoot through for diffused light $26

Also got a big ass 9 x 15 feet white backdrop $37

Yup, I'm an e-bay nut. Plus I live in a small town so no chance of getting this stuff local.

heida

Canon EOS-5D