flash speedlites 420EX or 550EX

i have a canon Elan 7E and i want to know what woould be better

the 420EX or 550EX flasher. i know the 420EX was may for the elan 7E

but ian thanking down the Road if i upgrade to a canon 3 or v1.

i like to know what your thank or just giver me some advice

thank you.

All about Canon flashers:

<P>

<A HREF= "http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#whichflash" > http://

photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#whichflash </A>

I don't know what your requirements are with regard to flash but I can tell you what the differences are between the two units.

 

1. The 550EX is somewhat more powerful, larger, heavier and more espensive.

 

2. The 550EX focus assist light covers the 45-point evaluative meter on the EOS-1v, -3, 1D, and 1Ds. The 420EX focus assist light only covers the Elan 7/7E 7-points.

 

3. The 550EX has 3 modes: E-TTL, Manual and Multi (Strobe) and the 550EX has a custom function that can set it to TTL. The 420EX is E-TTL only.

 

4. The 550EX has a high-voltage connector for connection to an external battery pack. The 420EX does not.

 

5. The 550EX has manual zoom setting capability. The 420EX does not.

 

6. The 550EX has Flash Exposure Compensation and Flash Exposure Bracketing setting capability. The 420EX has neither.

 

7. Both units can be set for High Speed Sync (FP flash).

 

8. The 550EX can be set as Master or Slave in a wireless multi-flash setup. The 420EX can only be set as a Slave.

 

I hope I haven't forgotten anything. I hope this helps.

I have both, since moving up to the EOS-3 from the Elan IIe, and tend to favor the 550EX. Besides being more powerful and expensive, it has more interface options, a wider angle of coverage, and best of all, it offers master/slave functionality. Whereas the 420EX only offers slave functions. I use it now for fill/high-lights.

 

Like I said, it costs more, but offers more and I believe it's worth the difference.

The AF assist light of the 550EX is only able to activate the 5 horizontal AF sensors of the Elan 7. In dim light, the top and bottom sensors will not work with this flash. The AF assist light of the 420EX covers all 7 AF sensors of the Elan 7 perfectly.

 

Here's my review of the 420EX:

 

<P><A HREF="http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/frary/elan7e4.htm">http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/frary/elan7e4.htm</A></P>

 

When in doubt, get both the 550EX and 420EX. They make a master/slave wireless duo.

It's all about the money. 550EX is extra 10% functionality and twice the price of 420EX. Now, somebody tell me why the hell did I buy 550EX and happy with it?!! Ohh... right that's all about that huge and flashy LCD screen on the back. Could not resist.

550EX by far is a better flash Boston, it also doubles as a wireless controller for wireless photography. 420EX is equally as good a flash, but like you said if you upgrade your camera body; I'm sure you'll want the extra features of the 550EX.

I have both. The 420ex is a nice general flash without much many manual controls. The 550ex is a big, multi-function flash that you have more manual control over. I like the 420ex for traveling lighter and smaller. I use the 550ex mostly.