External Flash Unit or a Battery Grip?
- Thread starter medallion
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etegration
Senior Member
medallion said:
could it be such a coincidence that you were "around" thomson today and gotten that $200 shooting things other than photos?
etegration
Senior Member
medallion said:
yeah man, but now mostly at VR...
Definitely flash 1st. With an external flash, you can use it for portraits, low light photography and events. You will find that you can achieve more with an external flash than the pop-up flash.
With a battery grip, while it does give you a more comfortable grip and longer battery life, it will not help you to significantly improve your shots. You still can take vertical shots without a grip, and if you want longer battery life, isn't it the same as to keep an extra battery in your pocket. How long will it take for you to change your battery??
Another thing to note is that the pop up flash has a very short range. Also if you are using a wide angle lense with hood on, you will find that it will partially block your pop-up flash.
With a battery grip, while it does give you a more comfortable grip and longer battery life, it will not help you to significantly improve your shots. You still can take vertical shots without a grip, and if you want longer battery life, isn't it the same as to keep an extra battery in your pocket. How long will it take for you to change your battery??
Another thing to note is that the pop up flash has a very short range. Also if you are using a wide angle lense with hood on, you will find that it will partially block your pop-up flash.
Snoweagle said:
For the last time, ETTL-II is BODY DEPENDENT. Snoweagle, your 420EX works in ETTL cos your camera only supports ETTL.
A 550EX/420EX flash unit with a newer SLR like the 350D, 20D etc. will function in ETTL-II mode, so stop misleading people. This has been mentioned like a GAZILLION times already in almost every thread talking about the merits of discontinued flash models.
Someone will ALWAYS say that older flashes will function in ETTL mode only without reading what its all about. Sianz~
My advice to medallion, take everything you read in this forum with a pinch of salt and double check. Not every "expert" knows what he's talking about.
solarii said:
I'm not misleading pple, it's u who got the wrong concept. I know that ETTL is body dependant and all models of flashes WILL WORK DEPENDING ON THE BODY. But only thing is that the flash will ONLY function with it's built-in function.
Correct, not every 'expert' knows what he's talking about.
Ok then ASSUMING you are correct, how would using a 420EX differ from using a 430EX if the camera functions in ETTL-II mode? Granted the older flashes were designed for ETTL only, but the improvements for ETTL-II concern mainly how the camera meters for flash.
I don't get yr point of "flash's built in function". What function are you referring to?
First, E-TTL II does not require any changes to either the flash units or lenses used with an E-TTL II camera - the changes are all basically internal to the camera body.
I don't get yr point of "flash's built in function". What function are you referring to?
First, E-TTL II does not require any changes to either the flash units or lenses used with an E-TTL II camera - the changes are all basically internal to the camera body.
Flash can loan frm school?medallion said:
Den get ur battery grip first. U wun kena as much damage.
As for the flash, loan liao, learn to use. Once u mastered it (by that time u flash until the flash going to die liaoz) and u shld have the money to go out and buy a brand new personal flash with zero flashes & brand new flash tube inside!
Ok, I sound cheap. But nasties aside, this is the best solution. :bsmilie:
solarii said:
ETTL-II also incorprates distance information according to the lens that u're using too. Functions i'm referring to includes all these. Of cos what i meant is ideally an ETTL-II body is best used with an ETTL-II flash such as the 430EX and 580EX to fully utilise all functions, likewise for just ETTL.
For your last point, yes u're right but as i've said in the previous paragraph, ideally it's like that.
Snoweagle said:
Well if you mount a 420EX/550EX on a 350D and use the kit lens, distance information will also be taken into account by the camera for flash shots.
You still have not highlighted the ETTL-II dependent "functions" which are lacking when one uses an older EX flash on a ETTL-II enabled body.
solarii said:
ETTL-II gives better flash exposure results. The additional distance calculation on ETTL-II allows the flash to calculate and give the correct exposure accordingly, which is not available for ETTL flash systems. Ultimately, the lens u use also counts.
For more info to clear your doubts, i've found a website explaining the benefits of ETTL-II over ETTL:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/ettl2.html
Snoweagle said:
You've completely missed the point. I'm sure you'll agree that when a 420EX/550EX is used on an ETTL-II enabled body, ETTL-II is active. So you gain full ETTL-II functionlity even though the flash was designed for ETTL cameras.
By the way, flash exposure is calculated by the camera, not the flash. Which is why ETTL-II still works.
You've linked me to a site relating ETTL-II to lens. Now the issue in question is NOT the benefits of ETTL over ETTL-II. Instead it is:
What ETTL-II dependent "functions" which are lacking when one uses an older EX flash on a ETTL-II enabled body.
Note that the body is ETTL-II enabled, so ETTL-II will work. ETTL mode is not an issue here, so stop comparing ETTL-II to ETTL. As far as anyone is concerned, when you use an older series EX flash on an ETTL-II body, you gain ALL the benefits ETTL-II provides.
solarii said:
Then in that case ALL EX series speedlites might as well be just called ETTL, dun have to state ETTL or ETTL-II flash.
ETTL-II has to do with the additional distance calculation so definitely the type os lens used is crucial for it to work. Not all EF lens provide distance info.
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