Speedlight 550EX Specs

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I presently have a 420EX and plan on doing multiple flash photos. I have a choice between the ST-E2 or the 550EX as a master. I personally find that the second option is more valuable. My camera is a Elan 7e.

Is the 550EX fully compatible with this type of camera. And what are the major advantages of the 550EX over the 420EX. I already know about the master/slave and wireless possibilities. My question is on the other stuff.

I also understand, by reading in here, that this flash is fully manual. Was wondering if there is an LCD panel? Lit? What information does it show? And does it show the distances as evaluated by the lense?

If you had a 420EX, would you find it a waste of money to invest in a 550EX?

Thanks,

Ian

-- Ian Brazeau (ibrazeau@hotmail.com), May 30, 2001

Answers

I forgot to ask another question.

Are there any options on the 550EX that the Elan 7 cannot take advantage of?

Thanks again,

Ian

-- Ian Brazeau (Ibrazeau@hotmail.com), May 30, 2001.


You might want to look at: http://www.photozone.de/canonflash.htm A lot of answers can be found there.

The 550EX is fully automatic just as the 420EX is. But it can also be fully manual with multiple flash power levels. It does have a lit LCD, and it does show the calculated distances based on film speed, f/stop & flash power level. It is also more powerful and has a built in diffuser for very wide lenses. It will also stroboscopic flash and has the option of turning off the E-TTL pre-flash. There are a number of other small features as well.

As far as I can remember, the Elan 7 will fully utilize the functions of the 550EX.

If you want to use wireless multiple flashes and you already have a 420EX, the 550EX makes the most sense. If you are never going to use multiple flashes then the ST-E2 might be a btter choice.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), May 30, 2001.


I use a 550EX on the Elan 7 with no problems so far. The only thing I've found that doesn't work between the two is that the AF assist light won't turn on for the top & bottom AF sensors.

-- Steven Fisher (srf@srf.com), May 30, 2001.

Hi Ian,
I use a 550EX on my Elan 7E, and have lamented about the incompatibilities (and workarounds) on the Elan 7E Mailing List.
One other capability of the 550EX which the Elan 7E cannot use is the ability to reset the custom functions to a "factory" state.
Cheers

-- Julian Loke (jul.loke@home.com), May 31, 2001.

There is one other thing thatI forgot.
Without being mounted on any camera, the 550EX is capable of adjusting exposure in 1/3 EV steps.
Once you put it on an Elan 7E, the 550EX reverts to 1/2 EV steps.
Cheers

-- Julian Loke (jul.loke@home.com), May 31, 2001.


The 550 was designed especially for the EOS 3. That's probably why the default on the 550 is in 1/3 stops. Since the 7E only has exposure and flash compensation in 1/2 stops, that's why the flash changes to 1/2 stop increments on the 7E.

-- Todd Garlow (toddgarlow@hotmail.com), June 04, 2001.

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