| Field-test of Canon Speedlite
420EX. Previously, owners of Canon EOS 300 (Rebel 2000) and EOS 50/50E (Elan II/IIe) had three choices when it came to using Speedlites capable of E-TTL flash metering - 220EX, 380EX and the powerful 550EX. The 220EX was a compact unit powered by four AA-size alkaline batteries and provided only direct E-TTL metering (TTL metering w/Type B EOS models) while the 380EX was a slightly more powerful version capable of horizontal bounce. If they wanted an E-TTL Speedlite capable of both horizontal and vertical bounce flash control, the only choice previously was the 550EX, designed as the companion for both the EOS-3 and EOS-1V cameras. The 550EX is Canon's most feature-pack E-TTL Speedlite to date and to many beginner and hobbyist shooters, is considered too high-tech and expensive for their budget. This problem has been resolved with the introduction of the new Speedlite 420EX, which happens to be the companion flash to the recently-launched Canon EOS 30/33 (Elan 7e/7) cameras. The new Speedlite fills the gap between the 380EX and 550EX. It is slightly more powerful than the 380EX and boasts of a Guide Number of 42 (ISO 100, meter). Best of all, it features both horizontal and vertical bounce flash capabilities in addition to being utilized as a slave unit for Canon's E-TTL Wireless Autoflash System, using either the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 or a 550EX acting as the master.
The Speedlite 420EX can use a variety of batteries - AA-size alkaline and lithium as well as rechargeable Ni-Cd and Ni-MH types (AA-size). Its dry weight is only 300 grams. Like all the other EX-series of Canon Speedlites, the 420EX is also capable of Flash Exposure Lock (FEL) and high-speed FP flash when it is used with any Type A EOS models. The 420EX's AF-Assist Beam is specially designed to cope with the multiple focusing points of the EOS 30/33, EOS 300 and most other EOS cameras except for models like the EOS 3000 (EOS 88), EOS 5000 (888), EOS 500 (Rebel X/XS), EOS 10/10s and the EOS 5/A2/A2E. However, for 2nd-curtain flash synchronization, only certain Type A EOS models are able to utilize this function with the 420EX using their respective Custom Function mode. The cameras are the EOS 30/33, EOS 50/50E, EOS-3 and EOS -1V. The Speedlite 420EX does not have its own user-selectable 2nd-curtain mode built into it. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . |
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