Will the new 420ex speedlite work with the elan IIe as it works with the dedicated 380ex (E-TTL,second curtain etc`)? Is it better to have the 550ex (also from cost/benefit point of view)?

-- yuval (yuval_h@hotmail.com), July 11, 2001

Answers

The EX series flashes are all designed to be used with the A-series bodies. EX is the newest Canon has, whereas the EZ series are for the older A-TTL camera bodies. The 420EX adds wireless E-TTL receiving capability and just a bit more power. 38 - 42 meters with 100 ASA film and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. The first 2 numbers of a Canon flash is it's maximum range in meters.

What do you need the flash for? Since you have an Elan IIe, you don't need the onboard FEC that the 550EX has. Do you need manual output that the 550 offers? You can't use wireless E-TTL without an ST-E2 transmitter or a 550EX and another 550EX or a 420EX to receive. Tell us what you need or want to do.

The 550 is a little less than double in cost compared to the 420. I love mine. I also love my 380EX. Each has it's own use.

-- Colin Miller (ckmiller@pond.net), July 11, 2001.

Thanks,

I want it for general purposes,but I prefer buying a flash that can be more useful to me in the long run even if it costs a bit more..

-- yuval (yuval_h@hotmail.com), July 11, 2001.

The 550EX is more useful than the 420EX since you can use it on manual, it has strobe mode (is that useful?) and you can turn off the E-TTL pre-flash when you want to use it as a trigger for generic optical slaves. It also has more power.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), July 11, 2001.

The 420EX does absolutely everything that the 380EX does, and then some.

The 420EX adds a few of features that the 380EX doesn't have - the ability to participate in Canon's wireless E-TTL system (as a slave only), modelling flash, and a tilt/swivel head (the 380EX only tilts). The former is of limited utility with an Elan IIe (you'll get wireless flash if you use a 550EX, ST-E2, or MR-14EX as the master, but all flashes will be stuck in the same group); the second is not available with the Elan IIe; the third can be useful with any body.

It improves on the 380EX by having about 10% more power, and by having a fully-functional AF assist light. The 380EX' light only works if you select (manually or via ECF) the center focusing point; for the outside ones, or if you let the camera pick one automatically, the body's AF assist light has to be used (dumb, dumb, dumb - particularly since the 380EX was specifically designed to match the Elan II). The 420EX' light works with all three AF points on the Elan IIe.

Due to the above reasons, the 420EX is a better flash for the Elan IIe than the 380EX is. The 420EX isn't dreadfully expensive; if the 380EX is in your price range, the 420EX probably is, too, and if you can afford the 420EX, I would not recommend the 380EX.

I don't mean any offense by this comment, but if you have to ask whether the extra stuff on the 550EX is worth it, then it most likely isn't worth it for you.

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), July 20, 2001.

I just thought I'd contribute one more answer that I'm not sure anyone has touched on... namely, that of the debate of the 420ex vs. 550ex etc. A lot of people complain about the 420ex not being a good first choice because of it's lack of "master" control, as opposed to only its ability to be used solo or in "slave" mode. My contention is that if the 420ex is your first flash (and the only one you're buying), it's pointless talking about multiple units: you've only got ONE! If you find your subject demands more than one flash, upgrade to the 550ex as your main and keep the 420ex you already own as the slave. Financially, I can't imagine most people wanting to use the 550ex's in slave mode (which is a solid reason why Canon put out the 420ex version) because of the price and relative similarity to the 420ex when used this way. So, save your money and get the 420ex if this is your dilemma... I just got mine and it's awesome. Happy shooting!

-- John (jwynne@photo.net), November 09, 2001.