Canon-550EX or 420EX Flash and BG-E1 Grip

01/25/2005 10:52:04 AM · #1

Hi!
I'm in the processing of buying some stuff for my camera and I'm still pretty new at this. I was wondering if I could anyone's personal opinion on the 2 above mentioned flashes.....and does the extra grip for the digital rebel make a big difference in comfort?

I usually buy from BHPhoto...so any information would be wonderful!

Thank you!

01/25/2005 10:58:41 AM · #2

Hi Colyla,

The 550EX is a superior flash to the 420, although I haven't used the 420, but I hear it's still a good unit.

As for the grip adding comfort, I don't think so. The grip attaches to the bottom so you don't really use it for holding onto..then again the added weight might be something you'll like! You could probably try one out at a local camera store.

:-)

01/25/2005 10:59:16 AM · #3

I have worked with both the 550ex and the 420ex. I personally own the 420, and I work with the 550 when I do weddings. If you can afford it you should go with the 550. The 420 is ok but if you are like me you may find it lacking in options. I like the 550 because on the flash itself,you can adjust how much light you will put out.

01/25/2005 11:09:58 AM · #4

If you are looking for something to improve your grip, I would suggest this stroboframe flash bracket. It is a great bracket that allows you to flip the flash when you are shooting vertically.

01/25/2005 11:21:03 AM · #5

Originally posted by radiman:

If you are looking for something to improve your grip, I would suggest this stroboframe flash bracket. It is a great bracket that allows you to flip the flash when you are shooting vertically.

The bracket I use when I don't have any other choice is a Stroboframe except it was $250 and weighs about a 100lbs (I borrow it). So I say make sure you try out the frame before you buy it...they can be awkward.

01/25/2005 11:32:13 AM · #6

Oh this bracket is pretty light. I would say around a pound, at the most. So it's not too bothersome to have connected.

01/25/2005 11:33:06 AM · #7

Do these flashes have a faster turn around time? I only have the one that is on my camera....and when I take pictures inside....I have to wait for the flash to warm up or risk underexposing....major pain.

01/25/2005 11:41:19 AM · #8

Originally posted by colyla:

Onboard flashes are basically only good for snapshots and sometimes for fill light. Once you get an external flash you won't know how to contain your excitement! The 550EX has a fast "recycling" time between firings. Not sure about the 420 but I imagine it's a bit slower.

my local cam store actually sells the new 580 for less than the 550.

01/25/2005 11:54:18 AM · #9

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I found the 550 on 17th street photo for 309.89.....this would be a pretty good price then?

01/25/2005 12:06:43 PM · #10

You're talking in US funds, I'm talking Canadian..I don't know what the conversion is. The 580EX is going for $540CND by me. The 550 is $10 more. That being said, off the top of my head I think $309USD is a good price for the 550.

audioaltima

01/25/2005 12:37:19 PM · #11

So far I can say that the Vertical Grip was the best accessory I've purchased. Shooting vertical becomes as easy as horizontal. The camera feels far more balanced when using longer/heavier lenses. Hell, it makes the camera just look/feel beefy-er.

The added level of comfort was well worth the money for the grip.

photomayhem

01/25/2005 12:40:36 PM · #12

Colyla, please do not purchase the grip that was mentioned in an earlier message above. I had that grip and it sucks horribly. When you flip the grip to shoot in portrait, your shutter button will be at the bottom of the camera if you want to keep your flash above the lens, not to mention your flash will be vertical instead of horizontal. I took this back and purchased this Stroboframe bracket. It makes a world of difference. The camera actually swivels inside the bracket which keeps the flash stationary.

Eric

01/25/2005 12:49:07 PM · #13

Originally posted by photomayhem:

The camera actually swivels inside the bracket which keeps the flash stationary.

I thought all brackets did that?

01/25/2005 12:49:41 PM · #14

I was researching on the lenses...and something I came across that is that you need to use a hack firmware for the 420? Is this still the case?

01/25/2005 12:50:00 PM · #15

Originally posted by colyla:

I was researching on the lenses...and something I came across that is that you need to use a hack firmware for the 420? Is this still the case?

I mean FLASHES not lenses :)

01/25/2005 01:05:07 PM · #16

Originally posted by colyla:

Originally posted by colyla:
I was researching on the lenses...and something I came across that is that you need to use a hack firmware for the 420? Is this still the case?

I mean FLASHES not lenses :)

I don't believe so. I could use my 420 with my rebel right out of the box, had no issues with firmware.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

01/25/2005 01:28:42 PM · #17

Originally posted by colyla:

In order to get flash exposure compensation, yes. The 550 has it on board. So does the Sigma 500 DG Super, which costs about as much as the 420 but has features that the Canon 550 has.

01/25/2005 01:58:18 PM · #18

Originally posted by AJAger:

In order to get flash exposure compensation, yes. The 550 has it on board. So does the Sigma 500 DG Super, which costs about as much as the 420 but has features that the Canon 550 has.

This sounds like it would be pretty reasonable! I'm going to go and research it....do you have this one? What do you think of it?

jimmythefish

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/25/2005 02:04:11 PM · #19

The grip makes a lot of difference in general comfort. The heel of my hand rests nicely against the side of the grip, distributing the weight much more evenly. It's especially nice to have when shooting portrait orientation for a long time, or balancing heavier lenses. With the 70-200 and 420EX on there I couldn't imagine not having the grip there too.

Message edited by author 2005-01-25 14:04:22.

TLL061

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/25/2005 02:22:08 PM · #20

I have both the 550 and the 420 , the 550 is more powerful. and I have a grip on my 10d it lets you also add another battery for longer shooting time .

jimmythefish

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/25/2005 02:29:02 PM · #21

The battery grip doesn't really add ahooting time. They just put an additional slot there because it's more convenient. Extra batteries can be carried elsewhere. The real advantage is in increased comfort and balance.

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

01/25/2005 02:51:01 PM · #22

Originally posted by photomayhem:

funny thing is everything is personal preference...
I have the flip one and hate it.
I just bought a stratos to replace it.

01/25/2005 02:58:17 PM · #23

Originally posted by TerryGee:

Originally posted by photomayhem:
Colyla, please do not purchase the grip that was mentioned in an earlier message above. I had that grip and it sucks horribly. When you flip the grip to shoot in portrait, your shutter button will be at the bottom of the camera if you want to keep your flash above the lens, not to mention your flash will be vertical instead of horizontal. I took this back and purchased this Stroboframe bracket. It makes a world of difference. The camera actually swivels inside the bracket which keeps the flash stationary.

Eric

funny thing is everything is personal preference...
I have the flip one and hate it.
I just bought a stratos to replace it.

When the grip is on do you have the option of using either shutter button or are you stuck with the one on the grip when it's connected to the Digital rebel?

photomayhem

01/25/2005 04:31:02 PM · #24

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I thought all brackets did that?

Not true. The grip that was listed before my post here doesn't allow the camera to swivel, just the flash flips "upside down".

photomayhem