Should I get a 420EX?

[Gordon McGregor]

Hi,

I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots, other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it would add anything.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set, would a on camera flash help ?

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it increase the weight much ?

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

Just looking for opinions... thanks

--Gordon
http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor

 

[Kbone]

I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or
any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot
of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots,
other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it
would add anything.

I was asking myself the same question. I really knew the answer deep down. I picked up my 420 EX to go with my G2 last Saturday.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set,
would a on camera flash help ?

I don't do much macro and haven't tried out the 420 in that application yet. Can't imagine it would hurt anything, though.

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it
increase the weight much ?

Doesn't change the width at all but makes the camera a little more than twice as tall. Some complain that it's a bit top-heavy. I like the extra weight myself, being a long time SLR user the extra heft feels more natural to me. I will admit that the flash makes reading parts of the little window display on top of the camera more difficult. That's easy to work around, just turn on the info display in the LCD.

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

Probably just about everything. It's more powerful which will allow you the option of shooting in Av mode with slower ISO settings so that you can get greater depth of field without under exposure. If you bounce the flash off the ceiling you will get more natural looking shadows and virtually no red-eye effects. If you use a Lensmate or Canon lens adapter you won't get the shadow in the bottom right corner of your photos at wide angle like you will with the internal flash.

I also purchased two Lumiquest products with my flash. A mini soft box and a pocket bouncer, about $18 each. The soft box is a diffuser that helps soften shadows and makes the light look less harsh to a degree when using direct, unbounced flash. The pocket bouncer allows you to bounce the flash when there is either no ceiling present or it's too high or the wrong color for bouncing. Both devices attach to the flash with velcro strips. There are other types of diffusers that simply snap over the flash head (Sto-Fen comes to mind) but I'm not sure about bouncing devices.

Just looking for opinions... thanks

My opinion is- get one. You'll still need to use your head a little to get better pictures, but with some small effort you should see major improvements over the internal flash.

I would also suggest getting a couple of sets of NiMH rechargable batteries and a charger. More economical in the long run and faster recycling times between flashes than alkaline. I opted for the Ray-O-Vac 1 hour charger and 1600mHa batteries that have been reviewed on various sites. About $50 for eight batteries and the charger at Walmart. Charger comes with 2 batteries and I bought 6 more to have two sets.
Hope this is some help to you.
-Kevin

 

[Vic Ferrari]

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or
any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot
of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots,
other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it
would add anything.

If you don't know that you need a flash or not, you probably don't.

If you only doing still life, you can take advantage of the slow shutter and a tripod.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set,
would a on camera flash help ?

The flash is very tall on the camera. I'm not sure if it helps in direct flash. But if you bounce flash, it certainly helps. You can also buy an off camera shoe cord (about $45). This will enable you to place the flash at any angle you like.

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it
increase the weight much ?

Very big. The flash is almost as big as the camera. The weight increases at least 70%, I think.

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

In door portrait, kid's pictures, fill flash...

Just looking for opinions... thanks

That said. I have the 380EX from my old SLR. And I love it. I don't think I can do without it. But most of my shots are indoor of my infant daughter.

--
Gordon
http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor

 

[Bj C]

I love my 420EX!

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or
any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot
of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots,
other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it
would add anything.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set,
would a on camera flash help ?

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it
increase the weight much ?

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

Just looking for opinions... thanks

--
Gordon
http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor

 

[NKH]

If you don't know that you need a flash or not, you probably don't.

i have to disagree with this. i have a few friends who were happily cruising along with only their built-in flashes UNTIL they saw a gallery i posted of pictures of a party we all attended. i got e-mails from 3 friends almost immediately wanting to know why my pictures looked so much more natural than theirs--whether it was because of the camera or something else. i explained about bounce flash, etc. and now all of them are planning to upgrade...one wants to buy a bracket and an external flash for his nikon 995, the other two are scheming for G2s and are budgeting to include 420ex's. i guess that saying, "ignorance is bliss," applies here.

i also have another friend with whom we went to a new years eve party and at which we took a large group shot, using my camera and his nikon 5000 with built-in flash. when i gave one of the prints i took, his wife finally gave him permission to buy the SB28 flash he'd been begging for because she could see how much difference the extra power made.

i've also found that you can't really use the G2's built-in flash for macro shots unless you turn flash compensation way down but that still will give harsh shadows or burnt highlights. with the 420ex, i like to point the flash up and bounce it off a white piece of cardboard and it results in nicely and evenly exposed close-ups. not as good as the ring light but i don't have $450 laying around either ;-)

i rely on my 420ex so much, i ALWAYS have it on when i'm taking indoor shots. i hate that it costs so much but i don't regret buying it at all.

best of luck.

-norm

 

[frankb]

Gordon, I am a big fan of the 420ex.

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or
any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot
of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots,
other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it
would add anything.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set,
would a on camera flash help ?

I have experimented a little with close-ups...wouldn't necessarily call them ture macro shots, but what really helps with the 420ex, is the FEL.

The camera triggers a pre-flash to meter the subject. This is what Canon calls E-TTL; Canon's attempt to make flash photo dumby proof....works pretty good the majority of the time. I have the Stefo-bounce diffuser and really love the combo...You will not be disappointed.

The picture below is straight out the G2. G2 saturation set to +1, f3.2. Bounced straight to the ceiling (white) with a diffuser.

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it
increase the weight much ?

The combo is top heavy, but I find it not too dificult to handle. I have farily large hands, however. Nonetheless, my 420ex goes where ever my g2 goes...

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

The ability to bounce and swivel represents a dramatic improvement in digicam flash photography, almost any shot will be helped (although I do recommend some type of diffuser when the situation calls for one.)

I just wish fill flash would be a little faster....I think at max's it is 250, which isn't that bad, but 1/1000 would be better.

Just looking for opinions... thanks

--
Gordon
http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor

--regards,FB

 

[Brad51575]

FB,

That shot is gorgeous!

Anyway, much like the poster I'm wondering about getting the 420EX but for by G1. Anyway, my question is about compatibility. Will the 420EX work on other camera's besides Cannon?

Guess I'm thinking towards the future.

Brad

 

[frankb]

Brad, from what I understand the Canon EX series is designed around the Canon SLR systems and the G2 and Canon digital SLRs. I am not sure about the G1 and the ability of this combo to get the E-ttl metering, let alone other camera systems beyond Canon.

this link explains the Canon flash system very, very well.....for anyone with a Canon and a Canon flash, this site is worthy of a bookmark.

http://teladesign.com/photo/eos-flash/ ; 50+ pages of very good info.

FB,

That shot is gorgeous!

Anyway, much like the poster I'm wondering about getting the 420EX
but for by G1. Anyway, my question is about compatibility. Will
the 420EX work on other camera's besides Cannon?

Guess I'm thinking towards the future.

Brad

--regards,FB

 

[Gio Biondani]

Brad, from what I understand the Canon EX series is designed around
the Canon SLR systems and the G2 and Canon digital SLRs. I am not
sure about the G1 and the ability of this combo to get the E-ttl
metering

The EX Series is compatible with the G1, including E-TTL metering. It says so on the G1 manual.

Gio
--Giordano Biondani http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=124997

 

[B C Graham]

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX

I visited my photo shop yesterday to look at the 420EX to go with my PRO90. The price was a shocker at AU$580. I've read in the Canon forum that the focus assist lamp doesn't work on the PRO. So we tried a Sunpak designed for the Canon SLR's, at $110 cheaper it was very attractive. Didn't work at all on the PRO. So I'm left with only one choice of the 420EX, and not fully functional. Anyone have a suggestion?

PS I find this forum excellent

cheers--Bruce Graham

 

[Neil Johnson]

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX

I visited my photo shop yesterday to look at the 420EX to go with
my PRO90. The price was a shocker at AU$580. I've read in the Canon
forum that the focus assist lamp doesn't work on the PRO. So we
tried a Sunpak designed for the Canon SLR's, at $110 cheaper it was
very attractive. Didn't work at all on the PRO. So I'm left with
only one choice of the 420EX, and not fully functional. Anyone have
a suggestion?

PS I find this forum excellent

cheers
--
Bruce Graham

Wow that is a lot of money. I thought our price up in Canada was high at $302.00. I converted your AU $580 to $470 Canadian. I can't imagine why it would be $168 Can. more there. You would think you lived on another planet at that price --Neil Johnson

 

[Wayne Jacobsen]

I visited my photo shop yesterday to look at the 420EX to go with
my PRO90. The price was a shocker at AU$580. I've read in the Canon
forum that the focus assist lamp doesn't work on the PRO. So we
tried a Sunpak designed for the Canon SLR's, at $110 cheaper it was
very attractive. Didn't work at all on the PRO. So I'm left with
only one choice of the 420EX, and not fully functional. Anyone have
a suggestion?

sorry I don't know of any alternatives, but for what its worth, I have been very satisfied with the 420EX on my pro 90. I have not missed the focus assist lamp (I guess I have not shot in the dark). I have taken bounce flash shots in an auditorium with very high ceilings (20 feet/7 meters). Its powerful enough to give excellent results under those conditions. Far better results than direct flash.

--Wayne

 

[B C Graham]

sorry I don't know of any alternatives, but for what its worth, I
have been very satisfied with the 420EX on my pro 90. I have not
missed the focus assist lamp (I guess I have not shot in the dark).
I have taken bounce flash shots in an auditorium with very high
ceilings (20 feet/7 meters). Its powerful enough to give excellent
results under those conditions. Far better results than direct
flash.

--Wayne

Hi Wayne

thanks for the response. I'm a bit cautious because I've noticed the Pro90 can be a bit undecided about focusing in low light. What you described is exactly the sort of shots I want to take. My wife is a tap dancer and I have had lots of problems getting a good shot on stage from back in the audience.

cheers
--Bruce Graham

 

[Richard35285]

Something worth considering is the bounce capability of the 420EX. I have found that when I don't have a ceiling or the ceiling is too high to be effective for a bounce I will use a LumiQuest ProMax diffuser and bounce it off the nearest wall. This gives the effect of light coming in from a high window. I have a gold-toned insert for the diffuser and it mimics natural morning or evening sunlight very well.

--rhb

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or
any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot
of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots,
other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it
would add anything.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set,
would a on camera flash help ?

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it
increase the weight much ?

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

Just looking for opinions... thanks

--
Gordon
http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor

----rhb

 

[Mickey64564]

I'm definitely getting a 420ex for my G2 once I've recovered from my purchase of a 1GB Microdrive last week. I remember my photography teacher showing us these round collapsable bouncer sheets that would fold out from the size of a frisbee to about twice the diameter. Does anyone know what these are called and how they'd work as alternatives to the Stofen products and the like? I'd imagine that they'd give a much more diffused and less direct look than those on-camera bouncers which would only offset the light by a matter of inches, and the surface area of these sheet bouncers are MUCH greater. Plus they could be positioned to direct the light at whatever angle you'd want, which could provide more frontal fill than a high ceiling. I rarely find myself in buildings with low, flat, white ceilings anyway. I'm probably gonna pick one up if I can find one, and although it may look a little goofy at parties, I have a feeling that the results would be worth it. The internal flash just doesn't do the G2 justice in indoor group shots, in my experience.

Regarding the AF assist lamp of the 420ex not working with the Pro90, I've seen a few posts as of late mentioning that there's a hack to get this to work, although it involves taking the flash apart. Guess it depends on how bad you need this feature!

Michael

Something worth considering is the bounce capability of the 420EX.
I have found that when I don't have a ceiling or the ceiling is too
high to be effective for a bounce I will use a LumiQuest ProMax
diffuser and bounce it off the nearest wall. This gives the effect
of light coming in from a high window. I have a gold-toned insert
for the diffuser and it mimics natural morning or evening sunlight
very well.

 

[chumbley]

I'm still learning my G2, my 420EX, and photography in general, but I think the 420EX is a great addition to the G2. All internal flashes are weak, and due to their proximity to the lens, always result in red-eye.

In addition, the bounce capabilities of the 420EX allow you to do things you would never have thought about before. Sure, we think about bouncing from walls and ceilings, but the unique positions you can get the camera in using both swivel and tilt are great.

Here is a pic I took of my daughter sleeping in her crib. The room was nearly pitch dark. I pointed the G2 downwards towards her, swiveled the 420EX around 180 degrees and tilted it 75 degrees to point at the ceiling. It was a little odd, having the flash pointing backwards on the camera, but the results (while probably not photographically perfect) were excellent. Good light coverage, nice soft shadows, and no harsh flash. http://www.pbase.com/image/1137022

Jeff

--rhb

Hi,
I'm currently trying to decide if I need/ want to get a 420EX or
any other add-on flash for my G2. I've been shooting quite a lot
of pictures, but I haven't been doing a whole lot of indoor shots,
other than 'still life' type shots.

I'm trying to decide if I really need an external flash and if it
would add anything.

1/ does it help with macro shots ? I've got a lensmate+macro set,
would a on camera flash help ?

2/ How big does the G2 end up with a 420EX added on ? Does it
increase the weight much ?

3/ in general, what type of shots does the 420EX help with the most ?

Just looking for opinions... thanks

--
Gordon
http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor

--

--rhb

 

[John Marsh]

Could you point me to the forum posts you refer to? The problem with the AF assist lamp is not due to the 420EX; the Pro90 simply does support that function. Canon surely missed the boat on that issue and, as a result, the Pro90's inability to focus well in low light situations is the camera's worst shortcoming IMO.

John

Michael

Something worth considering is the bounce capability of the 420EX.
I have found that when I don't have a ceiling or the ceiling is too
high to be effective for a bounce I will use a LumiQuest ProMax
diffuser and bounce it off the nearest wall. This gives the effect
of light coming in from a high window. I have a gold-toned insert
for the diffuser and it mimics natural morning or evening sunlight
very well.