Canon Speedlite 420EX E-TTL Flash Review
The built-in flash on many Canon DSLRs
is generally considered inadequate for most serious purposes
(and the Canon pro bodies do not include a flash).
The Canon accessory flashes such as the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash
are much more versatile and powerful. The Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash gets
the light far above the lens (prevents half-moon shadows in your pictures)
and does a much better job preventing the red-eye effect.
The Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash allows bouncing the flash off of a standard height
ceiling or off of other reflectors such as white walls, white foamcore,
Photoflex
and other commercial reflectors, ...
The Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash also allows the use of light softening
and modifying accessories such as
the Lumiquest Big Bounce,
the Lumiquest Softbox,
and the Sto-Fen Omnibounce
- or even a Chimera Softbox.
These techniques can make a huge difference in your image quality.
Another benefit of Canon's accessory flashes is that they significantly help
focusing on many EOS cameras.
The pattern of the focus assist light projected by the flash helps the camera focus
faster and more accurately - even on a low contrast surface such as a white wall.
The focus assist feature can make or break a shot in low light situations.
The Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash fits between the little
Canon 220ex Flash and the larger and more powerful
Canon 550EX E-TTL Speedlite Flash
and the Canon Speedlite 580EX E-TTL II Flash.
The Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash is a very good value for general purpose use.
It is relatively small.
Pictured above are
the Canon Speedlite 420EX E-TTL Flash (smallest),
the Canon Speedlite 580EX E-TTL II Flash (middle)
and the Canon Speedlite 550EX E-TTL Flash (largest).
Although not as powerful as the larger and more costly flashes,
the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash is quite powerful.
Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel
owners should consider the
Canon 550EX Flash
or the even better Canon 580EX Flash
as they offer FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) not found on the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash.
Most other Canon Digital SLRs offer FEC on the camera.
For these users, the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash may be a great value choice.
The 550EX and 580EX also offer a manual flash mode that is not included on the 420EX.s
Another feature of the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash
is that it can be used as a wirelessly (via light) triggered remote flash when slaved to a
Canon 550EX Flash,
the Canon 580EX Flash
or to a Canon ST-E2.
Many people choose to start with the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash as their first flash.
As they progress in their abilities, they buy the
Canon 550EX Flash
or the Canon 580EX Flash
and keep the Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash as a second flash.
The Canon 420EX then gets used for general purpose portability and
as a Slave Flash for the situations that call for more than 1 flash.
I want to stress the importance of learning how to use Canon's E-TTL Flash system.
The PhotoNotes link in my "More Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash Reviews" section below will get you well on your way
to great flash photography results.
The Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash is a compact flash that is capable of putting out a lot of
directable light.
It is all the flash that many casual photographers need.
More Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash Reviews & Information
Extensive Flash Information at Photonotes.org
Neil van Niekirk's Flash Techniques
Review at FredMiranda.com
Review by Peter Kun Frary
