Advice Please.....Canon Flash 420EX

06/22/2004 08:37:14 PM · #1

I am going to shoot a wedding as a favor. I have no flash and would like to know what anyone out there thinks about the Canon 420EX Speedlight Flash. Is this a good flash for taking wedding pictures or should I think about getting something else?

Thanks!!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/22/2004 08:39:47 PM · #2

It is a good flash, but is largely uncontrollable on a EOS 300D.

If you want to be able to use flash exposure control (which realistically, you do) the only option that lets you do that on an unmodified rebel is the 550EX, as far as I am aware. The 420EX will always fire at a mid tone flash level, at a one to one ratio with the ambient light. This makes your pictures look very 'flashed' in general, when really for good flash control you typically want to mix with the ambient light and try to balance effectively, rather than using the flash as the sole light source.

flash exposure control gives you the opportunity to this, but is not available on the rebel without hacking the firmware. The 550EX flash unit at least lets you set the flash bias on the flash unit itself.

Message edited by author 2004-06-22 20:41:45.

myfelix

06/22/2004 08:49:11 PM · #3

Thank you very much for the advice. I am new to all this people picture taking and can use all the help I can get. We'll see how this wedding goes but I have a feeling I'm going to end up sticking with the wildlife. :-)
I'm off to search the internet for the 550. Thanks again!!

BrennanOB

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/22/2004 08:50:46 PM · #4

Originally posted by Gordon:

If you want to be able to use flash exposure control (which realistically, you do) the only option that lets you do that on an unmodified rebel is the 550EX, as far as I am aware.

The Sigma dg 500 super is also able to do ettl and fec with the 300d and Canon firmware. If you are not risk averse the russian hack will allow fec and a few other very nice things, and that lets you slave all your external flashes. As far as the 420 I basially agree with Gordon, the 420 is a good basic flash, but best when used as a slave to the 550.

06/22/2004 09:03:54 PM · #5

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

I agree that the 420 has some major limitations as a main flash. The Sigma DG 500 seems like a good alternative if you don't want to shell out the bucks for the 550EX. I tried to buy one used from Adorama... went thru the whole process only to get an email 2 hours later saying it was sold; They just hadn't updated their website yet. Sure did peeve me off!
Anyway, good luck at your wedding shoot!

Message edited by author 2004-06-22 21:04:33.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/22/2004 09:21:34 PM · #6

The 420EX is actually a pretty good flash - I've been using one with a Canon G2 and Canon D60 for a couple of years with good results - but you need a way to control it and the DRebel doesn't have that functionality in the official version of the camera.

EddyG

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/22/2004 09:29:19 PM · #7

Just be aware that the Sigma 500DG focus-assist beam works only with the center AF point. The 420EX works with all 7 on the 10D/300D.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/22/2004 09:45:12 PM · #8

I'm lovin my 420EX to death on my PowerShot Pro1, works a treat here. Mainly bounce and Fill but it dials down quite nicely for full frontals.

06/22/2004 10:09:16 PM · #9

Originally posted by awpollard:

I'm lovin my 420EX to death on my PowerShot Pro1, works a treat here. Mainly bounce and Fill but it dials down quite nicely for full frontals.

Are you using FEC or is the flash doing that on it's own?

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

06/22/2004 11:03:40 PM · #10

Originally posted by myfelix:

If I were you, I wouldn't get this flash for the 300D unless I had the hacked firmware that enabled FEC. To get good fill, you need to be able to dial the flash output down about -2/3 to -1 2/3 stops. I would suggest the 550EX or the Sigma 500 as alternatives, with the edge going to the 550EX for the improved AF performance.

For a wedding, you will want to learn how to "drag the shutter". If you don't know what that means, google it.

You might also consider looking through the Wedding Photographer forum at fredmiranda.com. There is a lot of good info there and other places online.

If you do get a flash(which you should if you will be shooting inside at all), you should get the off-camera cord and a flash bracket as well. I have a $50 Stroboframe Quik Flip 350 that works quite well. It will make a HUGE difference.

Also, you should color balance the flash to the ambient lighting. Otherwise you will get either blue subjects or amber shadows for all of your inside shots (assuming that the ambient illumination is tungsten lights) If you are shooting outside, a slight warming filter on the flash usually helps.

Message edited by author 2004-06-22 23:23:36.

06/23/2004 11:34:16 AM · #11

I was looking at the 420 EX specs on B&H and it says the 420 offers rear-curtain sync. The canon site doesn't mention this.
So is the 420 capable of that or did B&H get their info wrong?

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/23/2004 11:37:34 AM · #12

Originally posted by digistoune:

I was looking at the 420 EX specs on B&H and it says the 420 offers rear-curtain sync. The canon site doesn't mention this.
So is the 420 capable of that or did B&H get their info wrong?

The 420 can certainly do second-curtain sync, on a camera that supports it. Again - not sure that the 300D has this capability without breaking the warranty.

06/23/2004 11:40:34 AM · #13

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by digistoune:
I was looking at the 420 EX specs on B&H and it says the 420 offers rear-curtain sync. The canon site doesn't mention this.
So is the 420 capable of that or did B&H get their info wrong?

The 420 can certainly do second-curtain sync, on a camera that supports it. Again - not sure that the 300D has this capability without breaking the warranty.

Ok, can someone with a hacked dRebel tell me if they are able to utilize this function?