OLD Canon 420EX flash - best options for off-camera flash ?

First, for lurkers

The 420EX is automatic only. It cannot b e set manually.

Approach one.

Put a 580EX on top of the camera, set it on master. Set it on ETTL.

Set the 420EX on a table, on a light stand, have someone hold it.

Set it on slave.

Set it on E-TTL (I don't think you have a choice)

LATER TODAY I'llfind my 420EX and refresh my memory.

Hi BAK,

wow, you've helped me a few weeks ago too... you are amazing... the amount of knowledge you have it amazing. Thank you !

thanks for your time helping me out, and that would be cool if you pull out your old 420EX.

P.S. - I did end up buying those new Canon flashes ( 600EX II-RT models ) haven't played with them yet... but will soon.

So you are perhaps wondering... why then do u want to play with that old 420EX... don't know but what a shame to just have it sit for more years in a bin .... unwanted etc...

On another note -- so I ended up ordering that Yongnuo YN-E3-RT to use with the new Canon 600EX II-RT units.

I did check and this controller will not work with the Canon 420EX or the 580EXII models.

BAK is correct . .

. . but, funnily enough, an Original Odin trigger set will trigger and control the old 420Ex - and - it adds in functionality that Canon omitted, namely remote M flash power fraction setting - in 1/3rd stop increments, no less!

The 420Ex would need an Odin Rx attached.

It's all a little academic as PhotoGearGuy is already going the RT route (which does not talk 'Odin').

I'm still using my (original) Odins because they do what I need & just wont quit.

although I don't feel old except when kneeling.

I've done just about every kind of above-water photography the is, or come close.

And my memory is good.

I remember how to set swings on a Cambo.

I suggest you give away your 420EX to some young photographer.

It it is placed in a hot shoe, it will do lots of automatic stuff, it can be twisted and turned in ways the built-in flash can't, and you can even buy a Canon (or other) off camera shoe cord.

It's too good and too useful to throw out. All you need is to find a kid with a Rebel.

BAK

PhotoGearGuy said:

P.S. - I did end up buying those new Canon flashes ( 600EX II-RT models ) haven't played with them yet... but will soon.

So you are perhaps wondering... why then do u want to play with that old 420EX... don't know but what a shame to just have it sit for more years in a bin .... unwanted etc...

Click to expand...

You could also use one of the 600EX II-RT as an optical master to the 420EX (instead of a 580EX).

PhotoGearGuy said:

On another note -- so I ended up ordering that Yongnuo YN-E3-RT to use with the new Canon 600EX II-RT units.

I did check and this controller will not work with the Canon 420EX or the 580EXII models.

Click to expand...

Nope. The -RT transmitter is radio only; the non-RT Canon EX speedlites only have optical slave capability. The Canon ST-E2 or its Yongnuo clone are optical masters, but have far less function than the -RT gear (only 3 groups not five, and only ratio control, not M power levels).

I'd say sell the 420EX, since it doesn't give you the choice of M mode, and use the price towards another -RT slave flash (e.g., a Yongnuo YN-600EX-RT II or the Li-ion YN-686EX-RT).

Hi kli !

ah geez, I never even clued in..... there is no way to manually control the 420EX....

I totally thought I could do it from a controller that I would attach onto the Canon camera body and control it that way.... so there is no way to do so.... wow....

ok thank you for that info.

Hi BAK,

I'm old, maybe older than you. haha. Anyway, I will end this thread here,

and just let it sit, yes, if I know somebody starting out, it's a great way to do something more than the built in flash.

Thanks again for your time.

I should really start playing with my new Canon flashes, they are sitting in the B&H box calling my name !

thanks again to everyone who chimed in.

PhotoGearGuy said:

Hi kli !

ah geez, I never even clued in..... there is no way to manually control the 420EX....

Click to expand...

Nope. When used as an optical TTL wireless slave, I think you're stuck with keeping it in TTL and the only power control you have over it is group ratios. That's how the ST-E2 and 550EX work, and they're the same era gear. You couldn't do manual power settings over wireless eTTL (optical) until the 580EX.

Another option would be to unload the gear you have and get something new, like the Godox V860II. Lots of power, reliable 2.4GHz communications, and room to expand to strobes if you need them.

I don't see pumping more money for transmitters / receivers for your existing flashes as a good investment.

Torsten Hoff said:

Another option would be to unload the gear you have and get something new, like the Godox V860II. Lots of power, reliable 2.4GHz communications, and room to expand to strobes if you need them.

Click to expand...

The Canon -RT system also uses reliable 2.4GHz RF communication with built-in transceivers and can work with the Orlit/Jinbei -RT strobes. Also supported by Adorama. And Yongnuo has Li-ion speedlights for the system.

Torsten Hoff said:

I don't see pumping more money for transmitters / receivers for your existing flashes as a good investment.

Click to expand...

I was gonna float a Godox suggestion, too, but given all the money the OP's probably just spent on upgrading to new -RT gear, I didn't think it would be particularly welcome to suggest selling all of it and getting a different system. Especially since the OP looks to be shooting Canon-only and isn't expressing an interest in studio strobes, yet.

But I do agree, Godox is lower cost than Canon's OEM -RT gear, and has more expansion options (bare bulb flashes), and is quite a bit less painful than Yongnuo's -RT gear, if you plan on adding mirrorless gear or switching systems.

And selling the non-RT Canon gear to help fund newer gear is definitely worth pursuing. If they were the 430EXII or 580EXII, the Yongnuo YN-E3-RX or Phottix Laso receivers could bring them into the -RT system, but as Mk I versions, they probably can't be controlled with those receivers.