Speedlite 420EX

SeaScout851 · Jun 27, 2008

The husband of a woman here at the office buys and sales used camera stuff. I'm looking for a flash and he has a Speedlite 420EX that he's asking $135 for.
Is that a good buy to use with my 40d?

Thanks

filmluvr · Jun 27, 2008

That's about what I paid for mine several months ago. The 420EX is an excellent solution for the 40D. Just be sure the battery contacts aren't corroded, and remove the batteries during periods of disuse (two weeks or longer).

Jack

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/
30D, 40D, 10-22mm, 28-135mm, 50mm/1.8II, 60mm macro
Adapted: Nikkor 50mm/1.4, Kiron 28mm/2.0

tayd · Jun 27, 2008

While my 40D is on the way...

What is the proper setting for the 420EX to be used with the 40D? My 420EX was paired with a PowerShot G2 but I'm not sure if I need to change any of the settings for use with the 40D.

Thanks,
David

Guv · Jun 27, 2008

Nope, it's pretty plug and play. You can mess with hi speed sync, 1st/2nd curtain, and exposure, but that's pretty much it. DOn't need much else anyway!

robnich · Jun 27, 2008

The price sounds right. Here's a bit of good advice: get Sanyo Eneloop batteries and a charger. The batteries last for many months sitting in your camera, whereas conventional batteries will lose most of their charge in a week or two at the most. You can get 4 batteries and a charger at Amazon for less than $22. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214594369&sr=8-2

Bob N.

robnich · Jun 27, 2008

Sorry -- I meant sitting in your flash unit, not in the camera.

Bob N.

RomanB · Jun 27, 2008

robnich said:
Here's a bit of good advice: get Sanyo
Eneloop batteries and a charger. The batteries last for many months
sitting in your camera, whereas conventional batteries will lose most
of their charge in a week or two at the most.

Actually, I tried NiMH batteries for the flash and now think it's not a good idea. The reason is, they also loose the charge with time. I use the flash only occasionally and often forget to charge the batteries before the use. For now I just use Lithium (not lithium-ion) batteries. AFAIK, they do not have this problem.

--
Roman
http://barshay.us/photo
http://public.fotki.com/rbarshay

SeaScout851 · Jun 27, 2008

What is so different about these batteries? They are NiMH like so many of the other rechargables. Any clue why they last longer?

robnich said:
The price sounds right. Here's a bit of good advice: get Sanyo
Eneloop batteries and a charger. The batteries last for many months
sitting in your camera, whereas conventional batteries will lose most
of their charge in a week or two at the most. You can get 4 batteries
and a charger at Amazon for less than $22. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214594369&sr=8-2

Bob N.

robnich · Jun 27, 2008

RomanB said:
Actually, I tried NiMH batteries for the flash and now think it's not
a good idea. The reason is, they also loose the charge with time. I
use the flash only occasionally and often forget to charge the
batteries before the use. For now I just use Lithium (not
lithium-ion) batteries. AFAIK, they do not have this problem.

Eneloops are a new type of hybrid battery and they do not lose their charge in the flash unit. Sanyo claims they retain 85% of their charge for a year and my own experience confirms that they retain a fully useful charge even after months in my 420EX.

Bob N.

filmluvr · Jun 27, 2008

Standard alkalines will also hold their charge well (there's no reason they would discharge; the flash doesn't draw current in "Off"). The problem is, alkalines can leak without warning, especially when they've been partially discharged through use. The trick is to replace them frequently and not leave them in the unit when it's not in use. In practice, I don't find it costly to throw away the old alkalines frequently, even if they've only seen a little use. They're cheap, and this practice is good insurance.

Jack

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/
30D, 40D, 10-22mm, 28-135mm, 50mm/1.8II, 60mm macro
Adapted: Nikkor 50mm/1.4, Kiron 28mm/2.0

sloanrd95687 · Jun 27, 2008

SeaScout851 said:
The husband of a woman here at the office buys and sales used camera
stuff. I'm looking for a flash and he has a Speedlite 420EX that
he's asking $135 for.
Is that a good buy to use with my 40d?

It is a good deal. If you dont buy it I will! What's the address!

--
Ray 'big daddy of 4'

Mark B. · Jun 27, 2008

SeaScout851 said:
What is so different about these batteries? They are NiMH like so
many of the other rechargables. Any clue why they last longer?

Yes, they are NiMH but a different chemistry that does in fact keep the charge far longer than traditional NiMH. Here's a pretty good writeup & test I found:

http://www.stefanv.com/electronics/sanyo_eneloop.html

Mark

skelly · Jun 28, 2008

No one has mentioned that the 420EX is auto only and DOES NOT have a MANUAL mode, so be aware of that. I bought the 420EX some years ago, but hardly use now cuz of lack of manual mode.

Shaun

filmluvr · Jun 28, 2008

skelly said:
No one has mentioned that the 420EX is auto only and DOES NOT have a
MANUAL mode, so be aware of that. I bought the 420EX some years ago,
but hardly use now cuz of lack of manual mode.

I only use manual flash units with my old 35mm rangefinders. I'm curious why someone would want manual flash with a body like the 40D.

Jack

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/
30D, 40D, 10-22mm, 28-135mm, 50mm/1.8II, 60mm macro
Adapted: Nikkor 50mm/1.4, Kiron 28mm/2.0

RogerBaum · Jun 28, 2008

I've used the 420EX (at work) and currently own the 430EX for personal use. The 430 has more on-board control and much faster recycling time than the 420.

When I bought the 430, the 420 was still available new. For my needs, the 430 was worth the higher price.

Roger

mkett39 · Jun 28, 2008

Thought I would add my two cents. Rayovac also makes a hybrid (can get at wally world and target) I use these for my flashes because I can charge them and leave them in my bag and know they will be ready for use in a week or months later unlike normal nimh bateries. Its the only thing I use anymore.

SeaScout851 · Jun 28, 2008

Ok I was about convinced that the 420 is a good buy at $135. But now you make we wonder. Is the 430 that much better? Plus is it any more powerful then the 420?

RogerBaum said:
I've used the 420EX (at work) and currently own the 430EX for
personal use. The 430 has more on-board control and much faster
recycling time than the 420.

When I bought the 430, the 420 was still available new. For my needs,
the 430 was worth the higher price.

Roger

filmluvr · Jun 29, 2008

SeaScout851 said:
Ok I was about convinced that the 420 is a good buy at $135. But now
you make we wonder. Is the 430 that much better? Plus is it any
more powerful then the 420?

The difference in power is insignificant (only a few GN worth). Buy whichever model makes you comfortable, but you can believe that if I thought the 430 would do a better job, I'd own one. I suggest you try the 420; if it's not enough, skip the 430 and pick up a 580. That's a genuine improvement.

Jack

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/
30D, 40D, 10-22mm, 28-135mm, 50mm/1.8II, 60mm macro
Adapted: Nikkor 50mm/1.4, Kiron 28mm/2.0

SeaScout851 · Jun 29, 2008

Thanks for all the input. I think I'm staying with the 420 for now. It should prove to be a fairly inexpensive learning tool. Actually I've learned a lot this weekend and had a blast doing it.

One more thing. It does not have a manual but I seem to have figured everything out pretty well except for one thing. There is a switch showing a green dot and a lightning bolt with H beside it. I figure it's for high speed sync. Just I'm not sure what to do with it. Although I've got in on the lightning bolt for now, I don't really see that it does anything.

Thanks

filmluvr · Jun 29, 2008

High speed sync will let you fire the flash with a shutter speed faster than the maximum "natural" sync speed of 1/250. Unfortunately, this isn't really a substitute for faster sync speed, because light output (and effective shooting distance) diminish rapidly above 1/250 with this technique. It's particularly ineffective with daylight fill flash due to the high output power needed from the flash in order to mitigate shadows in bright sunlight. There are a number of articles on the 'Net bemoaning this feature as yet one more tool that benefits only the marketing department. I never use it and never miss it. All this aside, enjoy your new 420EX!

Jack

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/
30D, 40D, 10-22mm, 28-135mm, 50mm/1.8II, 60mm macro
Adapted: Nikkor 50mm/1.4, Kiron 28mm/2.0

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