90EX Flash for Canon 6D

TTMartin · Jun 5, 2013

Has anyone considered getting a Canon Speedlite 90EX Flash to use with their 6D?

I currently have a 430EX II that I keep with my 6D, and a 580EX II that I keep with my 7D.

The 90EX on the 6D would be similar to the pop-up flash of the 7D, not just as a fill light, but, also offering off camera flash control.

The 90EX's small size seems like a good fit with the 6D travel concept. And, even if I decide to take the 430EX II, the 90EX would allow me to move it off camera.

Interested in hearing other views on this.

Felunk · Jun 5, 2013

Maybe consider the 270ex II instead since the 90ex is designed for the mirror less setup, but really the 6D is so awesome in low light if you have time to edit raw even the worst lighting conditions can be recovered with usable results for general shots...

TTMartin · Jun 5, 2013

Felunk said:
Felunk wrote:

Maybe consider the 270ex II instead since the 90ex is designed for the mirror less setup, but really the 6D is so awesome in low light if you have time to edit raw even the worst lighting conditions can be recovered with usable results for general shots...

The 270EX doesn't act as master flash controller that's why I ruled it out.

qianp2k · Jun 5, 2013

TTMartin said:
TTMartin wrote:

Has anyone considered getting a Canon Speedlite 90EX Flash to use with their 6D?

I currently have a 430EX II that I keep with my 6D, and a 580EX II that I keep with my 7D.

The 90EX on the 6D would be similar to the pop-up flash of the 7D, not just as a fill light, but, also offering off camera flash control.

From my understanding it doesn't have enough power to fire flash by itself as a master flash but only trigger slave flash. I thought 270EX II has similar wireless remote firing function.

TTMartin said:
The 90EX's small size seems like a good fit with the 6D travel concept. And, even if I decide to take the 430EX II, the 90EX would allow me to move it off camera.

The only problems are a) not powerful enough better than nothing on 6D but far less than 270EX II; b) recharging taking too long and it's a slow flash.

KR in his review doesn't like it. I don't take everything KR said as granted but just for reference.

TTMartin said:
Interested in hearing other views on this.

I'd suggest 270EX II for a light/small flash option in travels. I used it in last two trips. Works beautifully, small but still very powerful. I also own 430EX II and 580EX II.

Personally I think you will use such small flash as the main flash in hotshoe most time that should be your main concern. Using as a master should not be your main priority in reality especially you also have 430EX II and 580EX II as a) 90EX only can trigger remote flash but cannot flash as a main flash at the same time as it doesn't have enough power; b) optical (infrared) remote flash doesn't work very well. You're better to buy radio-based flash trigger/receiver that is pretty cheap from some products but works much better.

--
http://qianp2k.zenfolio.com/

TTMartin · Jun 5, 2013

qianp2k said:
qianp2k wrote:

From my understanding it doesn't have enough power to fire flash by itself as a master flash but only trigger slave flash. I thought 270EX II has similar wireless remote firing function.

I hadn't heard that and went looking for something to confirm it. Didn't find that, but, I did find this article from Rudy Wilson at the Canon Learning Center: Alternatives to the built-in flash: EOS 6D
Speedlite 90EX
This is Canon's most recently introduced speedlite, and it's a perfect first place to stop when considering a flash to perform tasks normally applied to a built-in flash. It's by far Canon's smallest and lightest EX-series speedlite, weighing less than 3 oz., with batteries. It's been introduced to take the place of a built-in flash on Canon's super-compact EOS M camera, but it's every bit at home atop an EOS 6D as well.

Used as a super-compact, lightweight flash for quick snapshots of nearby subjects, it becomes an ideal companion for events like receptions, parties and other situations where a shooter may be asked to break-out his or her camera and take some quick shots. Its non-assuming size and profile may sometimes make it easier to work among people, avoiding the image of a pro with a high-end speedlite and perhaps contributing to a more candid "mood" in some subjects.

Powered by two slim and light AAA-size batteries, the Speedlite 90EX covers lenses as wide as 24mm on a full-frame camera. Like a built-in flash, power is going to be somewhat limited... by using higher ISO settings, however, distance ranges can be increased to enhance its practicality as a flash for quick documenting of scenes and people:

ISO Max. distance, f/2.8 Max. distance, f/4 Max. distance, f/5.6

100 10.7 feet (3.3m) 7.5 feet (2.3m) 5.3 feet (1.6m)

400 21.4 feet (6.6m) 15 feet (4.6m) 10.6 feet (3.2m)

800 30 feet (9.2m) 21 feet (6.4m) 14.8 feet (4.5m)

1600 42.8 feet (13.2m) 30 feet (9.2m) 21.2 feet (6.4m)
Especially considering the EOS 6D's excellent image quality at high ISOs, this makes even a modestly-powered flash like the Speedlite 90EX an interesting option in lieu of a built-in flash for simple snapshooting.
Wireless flash: Speedlite 90EX as a Master Unit
Perhaps Speedlite 90EX's most compelling possibility to the serious EOS 6D user is its ability to act as a "master unit" to trigger off-camera EOS speedlites. Using traditional optical-based technology, this makes the Speedlite 90EX the smallest, lightest and least-expensive "master flash" option – far less expensive than a Speedlite 600EX-RT would be, and significantly less than the traditional Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2.

Using the External Flash Control menu on the EOS 6D, a Speedlite 90EX as a master unit can perform the following with off-camera slave units within approximately 23 feet (5m) indoors:

Control up to three groups of slave units (A, B and C), or fire them all at even power
Control an A:B ratio over a 6-stop range... 8:1 ~ 1:8 lighting ratios, controlled in 1/2-stop increments
Provide choice of 4 channels, to avoid setting off another nearby Canon EOS shooter's wireless flashes
Trigger slaves to fire with high-speed flash sync (note: the Speedlite 90EX itself cannot fire with high-speed sync, but as a master unit, it can signal compatible slave units to do so)

So compared to those Canon EOS cameras with built-in flashes that can also function as master units for Wireless E-TTL, a Speedlite 90EX is a very interesting and certainly affordable way to mimic this built-in flash functionality. It's the only compact EOS speedlite that has master flash capability (keep in mind, the Speedlite 90EX cannot be used off-camera as a "slave unit"), and thus is an intriguing alternative (or addition) to a Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 or high-end flash for master unit operation with Wireless E-TTL.

Sean_Jayhawk · Jun 5, 2013

Thanks for starting this topic. I was wondering about the 90 for a little fill flash to use with my Sigma 35 or Canon 50/1.2L in lower light settings. The distances you posted help me as most of my shots are easily in those ranges. My concern with any flash is that I have a tiny flash that attaches to my NEX 5N (picture 6 quarters stacked on top of each other and that's the size) and it is way too powerful for my needs. I never use it because it blows everything out even when I turn it all the way as low as it will let me. From the little I've read, the 90EX is smarter and works better with the 6D to know where the subject is and act accordingly. I tried reading, but every thread I found talked about using it as a master flash and I really just want 1 for use every few weeks when absolutely needed.

Hinder · Jun 5, 2013

I have one, it's tiny and great to use for fill. Mine works as a master and have triggered my 430exii from 40' away. I think it's perfect for what I wanted it for, fill and carries in a pocket for when you might need it and uses AAA batteries.

James Cricket · Jun 5, 2013

I have one. It's okay. It works about as well as an onboard flash and does work just fine as a master. It's not very fast to recycle and battery life is as poor as I expected. But I think I'm more irritated by the lack of a good fitting diffuser. The one I bought is way too loose. I wouldn't buy it as a substitute for the lack of a built in. For times I want to travel light I take a 270EX. But if you're wanting it just to trigger off camera, it's not bad. Not as good as the ST-E2 (which i sold) but a lot cheaper. I paid $100 on ebay and it was shipped from Hong Kong (iirc).

qianp2k · Jun 6, 2013

If you mainly want remote trigger purpose, then this 90EX is a cheaper solution than ST-2 although latter still has more functions. But if you want to carry a small/light flash in travel as main flash source, then 270EX II that is still light/small is 9X more powerful than 90EX and has a bounce-capable head. 90EX II on GN index is only 1/2 of built-in flash on my 60D that is not enough for serious flashing purposes in portrait. Since 270EX II is so small/light I virtually never use 60D built-in flash as former generates much better and naturally looks flash photos.

TTMartin said:
TTMartin wrote:

TTMartin said:

qianp2k wrote:

From my understanding it doesn't have enough power to fire flash by itself as a master flash but only trigger slave flash. I thought 270EX II has similar wireless remote firing function.

Click to expand...

I hadn't heard that and went looking for something to confirm it. Didn't find that, but, I did find this article from Rudy Wilson at the Canon Learning Center: Alternatives to the built-in flash: EOS 6D
Speedlite 90EX
This is Canon's most recently introduced speedlite, and it's a perfect first place to stop when considering a flash to perform tasks normally applied to a built-in flash. It's by far Canon's smallest and lightest EX-series speedlite, weighing less than 3 oz., with batteries. It's been introduced to take the place of a built-in flash on Canon's super-compact EOS M camera, but it's every bit at home atop an EOS 6D as well.

Used as a super-compact, lightweight flash for quick snapshots of nearby subjects, it becomes an ideal companion for events like receptions, parties and other situations where a shooter may be asked to break-out his or her camera and take some quick shots. Its non-assuming size and profile may sometimes make it easier to work among people, avoiding the image of a pro with a high-end speedlite and perhaps contributing to a more candid "mood" in some subjects.

Powered by two slim and light AAA-size batteries, the Speedlite 90EX covers lenses as wide as 24mm on a full-frame camera. Like a built-in flash, power is going to be somewhat limited... by using higher ISO settings, however, distance ranges can be increased to enhance its practicality as a flash for quick documenting of scenes and people:

ISO Max. distance, f/2.8 Max. distance, f/4 Max. distance, f/5.6

100 10.7 feet (3.3m) 7.5 feet (2.3m) 5.3 feet (1.6m)

400 21.4 feet (6.6m) 15 feet (4.6m) 10.6 feet (3.2m)

800 30 feet (9.2m) 21 feet (6.4m) 14.8 feet (4.5m)

1600 42.8 feet (13.2m) 30 feet (9.2m) 21.2 feet (6.4m)
Especially considering the EOS 6D's excellent image quality at high ISOs, this makes even a modestly-powered flash like the Speedlite 90EX an interesting option in lieu of a built-in flash for simple snapshooting. Wireless flash: Speedlite 90EX as a Master Unit
Perhaps Speedlite 90EX's most compelling possibility to the serious EOS 6D user is its ability to act as a "master unit" to trigger off-camera EOS speedlites. Using traditional optical-based technology, this makes the Speedlite 90EX the smallest, lightest and least-expensive "master flash" option – far less expensive than a Speedlite 600EX-RT would be, and significantly less than the traditional Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2.

Using the External Flash Control menu on the EOS 6D, a Speedlite 90EX as a master unit can perform the following with off-camera slave units within approximately 23 feet (5m) indoors:

Control up to three groups of slave units (A, B and C), or fire them all at even power

Control an A:B ratio over a 6-stop range... 8:1 ~ 1:8 lighting ratios, controlled in 1/2-stop increments

Provide choice of 4 channels, to avoid setting off another nearby Canon EOS shooter's wireless flashes

Trigger slaves to fire with high-speed flash sync (note: the Speedlite 90EX itself cannot fire with high-speed sync, but as a master unit, it can signal compatible slave units to do so)

So compared to those Canon EOS cameras with built-in flashes that can also function as master units for Wireless E-TTL, a Speedlite 90EX is a very interesting and certainly affordable way to mimic this built-in flash functionality. It's the only compact EOS speedlite that has master flash capability (keep in mind, the Speedlite 90EX cannot be used off-camera as a "slave unit"), and thus is an intriguing alternative (or addition) to a Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 or high-end flash for master unit operation with Wireless E-TTL.

TO Photo · Jun 6, 2013

I bought a 90EX to use with my 6D as a substitute for the pop-up on other models. The unit is light weight, uses disposable batteries and has a single on-off button. I put it in my pocket when walking around taking casual photographs. The 6D has excellent sensitivity so I don't use it as much as I thought I might. I have triggered other Speedlites with it but I haven't tested the useful range. Don't expect it to work as a flash when you are using it as a trigger. I like the fact it is separate from the camera as I don't have to carry the additional weight on the neck strap - the DSLR and lens is heavy enough.

TTMartin · Jun 6, 2013

qianp2k said:
qianp2k wrote:

If you mainly want remote trigger purpose, then this 90EX is a cheaper solution than ST-2 although latter still has more functions. But if you want to carry a small/light flash in travel as main flash source, then 270EX II that is still light/small is 9X more powerful than 90EX and has a bounce-capable head. 90EX II on GN index is only 1/2 of built-in flash on my 60D that is not enough for serious flashing purposes in portrait. Since 270EX II is so small/light I virtually never use 60D built-in flash as former generates much better and naturally looks flash photos.

I'm thinking about picking up both the 90EX and the 270EX II.

I like being able to get the flash off the camera and the 580EX II is just too large to carry around with the 6D.

You've made a compelling argument for the 270EX II, and given that it can operate as a slave flash as well, it will add flexibility in off camera configurations and complement my existing flashes.

I currently have a very small bag with just my XTi, EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, a couple spare batteries, and cards. If it is small enough, I may add the 270EX II to that kit.

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90EX Flash for Canon 6D

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