270ex for fill flash use
rpcrowe
Registered Users Posts: 733 Major grins
I want a light, low profile hotshoe strobe to use as fill-flash on an upcoming trip to China. I love to use fill, especially for shots of people and the darker the person's complexion and the broader the hat brim, the more I want fill.
I will be carrying this flash mounted on my camera hotshoe for most of the day so, light weight is essential. I will be carrying two cameras so using a flash bracket is out of the question. Additionally, any flash bracket will add unwanted weight and defeat my purpose of getting the lightweight flash unit.
The reason that I am seeking a low profile flash is that when I carry my camera with either my 550ex or 420ex mounted, it is top-heavy and will tend to twist over on the strap.
I also want a flash which has high speed sync (HSS) so that I will not be limited to 1/250 second exposure time. I often use higher speeds than 1/250 second in order to utilize a wider aperture for selective depth of field.
It seems as if there are only two units out there which fit my criteria (especially the need for HSS): the 220EX and the 270EX. Power is no big concern and neither is bounce capability.
I am leaning toward the 270EX, primarily because it has a lower profile. My concern regarding this unit is whether it will cause red eye when hot shoe mounted and shot straight on. The 220EX has a bit higher profile and I would anticipate lass chance of red-eye.
I am wondering if the 270EX will induce red-eye when used for fill and whether there might be a third party manufacturer's unit out there which incorporates HSS and is light weight and has a low profile.?
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I will be carrying this flash mounted on my camera hotshoe for most of the day so, light weight is essential. I will be carrying two cameras so using a flash bracket is out of the question. Additionally, any flash bracket will add unwanted weight and defeat my purpose of getting the lightweight flash unit.
The reason that I am seeking a low profile flash is that when I carry my camera with either my 550ex or 420ex mounted, it is top-heavy and will tend to twist over on the strap.
I also want a flash which has high speed sync (HSS) so that I will not be limited to 1/250 second exposure time. I often use higher speeds than 1/250 second in order to utilize a wider aperture for selective depth of field.
It seems as if there are only two units out there which fit my criteria (especially the need for HSS): the 220EX and the 270EX. Power is no big concern and neither is bounce capability.
I am leaning toward the 270EX, primarily because it has a lower profile. My concern regarding this unit is whether it will cause red eye when hot shoe mounted and shot straight on. The 220EX has a bit higher profile and I would anticipate lass chance of red-eye.
I am wondering if the 270EX will induce red-eye when used for fill and whether there might be a third party manufacturer's unit out there which incorporates HSS and is light weight and has a low profile.?
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Comments
When a flash is used mostly for fill it is set for a lower EV than the ambient and red-eye is not so much a problem. Any red-eye that remains can be dealt with in post. Even the in-camera flash can be used at -2 FEC for fill without too many problems.
When the flash is used as the dominant light is when red-eye becomes problematic.
I agree that a bracket is not appropriate to travel. An off-camera cord might be appropriate however, just to get the flash farther away from the axis of the lens if needed.
While I understand what you mean by the flash affecting the balance of the camera, I feel that's a small price to pay for a quality flash with additional power and features. I use a camera holster to hold an additional lens and the flash when I'm not using the flash on the camera, i.e. in a travel situation. I've had no problems getting the flash into position when I see the need.
I just acquired 2 copies of the Sigma EF 530 DG Super flash and I do feel they are a very good combination of cost versus features and power. I would have no problem packing at least one with me for a travel situation. (Previously I used the Sigma EF 500 DG Super for travel and I still have 2 of those as well.)
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
I think you are right that I should bring a larger flash and will bring either my 420ex or 550ex; which one depends on how my packing space and weight goes. However, I think that I will supplement whichever flash that I take with a 270ex. The 270ex is almost exactly half the weight of the larger models. That would make carrying it mounted on the camera a lot easier on this old man's neck.
Give the features you are sacrificing, I wouldn't think it is worth it. What if you need to bounce and/or swivel? Can you modulate the power on teh 270ex? I like fill, a lot, but I usually run around in daylight wit the power at 2/3 or even a little less. If you are going to have the270ex strapped all the time, that means you'll have to switch out for the 420ex for situations where you want to do this. You might lose the shot. Is the weight really that much of a problem?
I agree with the OP that a 580ex on the hotshoe creates an unwieldly device to carry day. Not a problem for a wedding shooter carrying the camera in hand, perhaps, but a literal pain in the neck for a tourist.
I may look into the 270ex for this purpose, I had not considered it previously. If it will bounce the is a real plus for it.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Actually, wedding photography is most often physically easier than walk-around tourist photography.
I have shot many weddings but have seldom carried a camera around my neck for 8-10 hours (Those of you who have done that should have negotiated a time limit in your contract). I have also never needed to walk up steep slopes or high stairs when shooting weddings.
At the end of a 6-10 hour long day which might include climbing the Great Wall of China (anticipated for April 2010) an extra eight ounces or so, especially eight ounces hanging at the top of a camera, would feel like a couple of pounds. The 270ex with batteries should weigh a bit under 7 ounces while a 420ex with the four batteries required should weigh a bit over 14 ounces.
That is enough weight for me to decide to get the 270ex for fill flash use on my upcoming 15 day China trip.
A binoculars strap is a great accessory for both travel or wedding work.
You carry the camera at waist height and you can easily have flash onboard. That said, I have travelled extensively using only ambient light and the right camera/lens combo almost never taking a flash out of my day bag.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
I bought this unit to use it with BOTH my 30D and my 40D cameras which I carry as a pair with 17-55mm and 70-200mm lenses attached.
I don't know if it is me or if it is Canon but, there has been a communications gap somewhere. The 270EX instruction manual states that the 270 is compatible with "...E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash EOS cameras"
The-Digital-Picture.com states, "Like the rest of the "EX" series Speedlites, the Canon Speedlite 270EX Flash is compatible with all EOS camera bodies"
HOWEVER... Even though the 30D is a E-TTL II camera, the 270EX cannot be controlled by the camera. That means I cannot select 1st curtain, 2nd curtain or HSS (Hi-Speed-Sync) when using a camera older than the 40D.
So, I am stuck with using this flash at full power and at speeds no higher than 1/250 second when I use it on my 30D. Additionally, despite the Instruction Manual stating that the flash coverage will match an "EF 28mm (EF-S 18mm) wide angle lens"; the 270EX produces a shadow at the bottom of the frame when shooting below 24mm (38mm equivalent) with a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens with hood attached. BTW: you can get around this sometimes by bouncing the flash but, cannot bounce with the camera in the vertical position because the flash can only tilt and cannot rotate.
It's a shame because I really liked this little flash for travel purposes. I guess that I will bite the bullet and carry my heavier 420ex for fill use. It's twice the weight and uses 4 AA batteries but, at least, I can use it on my 30D.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
I am expecting mine to arrive today, that I ordered, partly on the basis of this discussion. I will try to find out how it works this weekend with a 50D, and a 5DMkII, and report back here.
It is supposed to work well with a G10 also, so we'll see.
Canon should make those kind of limitations clear in the product descriptions. We'll see if Ziggy gets an answer, too.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
"Speedlite 270EX can be used on any EOS Digital SLR from the original D30 to the current model line-up. It is also compatible with any PowerShot camera that has a hot shoe. However, other than the on/off switch and the mechanically operated zooming and bouncing functions, its settings can only be adjusted on Canon digital cameras with a compatible flash control menu. The list of such cameras currently includes the following:
EOS Digital
EOS-1Ds Mark III
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS 50D
EOS 40D
EOS Rebel T1i
EOS Rebel XSi
EOS Rebel XS
PowerShot
G11, G10, G9
SX1 IS, SX10 IS, SX20 IS
S5 IS
Cameras like the EOS 30D and Digital Rebel XTi were introduced before Canon offered in-camera flash control menus, so they are limited to the basic functionality I mentioned at the beginning of my reply.
Best Regards,
Chuck Westfall"
Ziggy note:
If I interpret this correctly, the Canon 270EX flash lacks a comprehensive menu control system and relies on the host camera for control, and only the latest Canon cameras are designed with such a control system (as indicated in the listing above.)
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Ziggy, thanks for your help...
You are perfectly correct! However, looking through my Magic Lantern Guide to the 40D (which I consider a better supplemental manual than the Canon EOS 30D Digital Field Guide), I realized that I can adjust the intensity of the flash through the camera by using the "flash compensation button" located at the top of the camera (same button as the ISO control) and then adjusting the flash intensity with the "quick set button" on the back of the camera. I can not only do this on the 40D but, also on the 30D. I am now going to experiment with this method of flash control using the 270EX as fill-flash outdoors.
I am keeping this flash. It is totally compatible with my 40D camera and since I can adjust the intensity of this flash through the 30D; I can live without selecting HSS on my 30D.
There is no other flash that I can find which will provide: HSS (on my 40D when needed), tilt capability (no swivel - but, I can live with that) and extreme light weight and small package.
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY: I strongly recommend that no photographer should ever go on a trip or an important shoot without fully experimenting with his or her equipment.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
That was quick!!
Interesting list, I see the 5D is not one of the models with the ability to offer custom controls of the 270ex.
Mine arrived, and I rather like it. Small, solid, compact. Will work with most of my cameras. It gas a METAL foot too!! Kudos!! Standard gels, like the Ascot samples will cover it easily.
While it does not offer a rotating head, most of the time that I want to bounce off a wall or a vertical reflector ( and am not in a studio type situation ), the camera will be shot in portrait mode, which will indeed allow the flash to bounce off a vertical wall. I will put this in one of my daily carry bags, in place of a 430ex, which I will move a bag full of other assorted flash gear, including speedlites, reflectors, radio triggers etc.
With an off camera ETTL cord and a bracket of some kind, it might work nice for macro shooting also.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
I use a 550EX flash (because I can work manually easily with this unit) on a Siegelite bracket along with a Lumiquest mini softbox.
The articulating Siegelite bracket makes an excellent macro bracket (it is not too shabby as a bracket for general photography either). It is no longer produced but available frequently on eBay. This unit most often goes for less than $20 (USD) but, this auction for some reason includes a Strobo Flash bracket which may drive up the price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/StroboFlash-Flash-Bracket-Siegelite-Morris-Cords-lot-NR_W0QQitemZ250486139143QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3a52232907&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Be patient, there will be more appearing on eBay.
There ane Chinese knock-offs of the Lumiquest bracket available for under $10 also on eBay. These knock-offs do a fine job.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Diffuser-Hood-For-Nikon-Canon-Pentax-Olympus-Sony_W0QQitemZ370238652534QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item5633f18076&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Of course, you need an off-camera cord. I don't know abpout these Chinese models but, the price is certainly right!
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Flash-TTL-Off-Camera-Shoe-Cord-for-Canon-OC-E3-O7B_W0QQitemZ230368638724QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item35a30a7704&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Actually, the Siegelite bracket balances pretty well with the 550EX at one end and the camera at the other end; offsetting the flash weight. The fact thay you have a pistol grip on the bracket itself also helps.
I bought a Canon SX20 for EXTREME portability reasons since I can't lug my dslrs around since I commute everywhere by bike now. I'm expecting the 270EX flash to arrive in a day or so and I've been trying to track down more info on it than can be found on the Canon site. This thread really helped. Apparently there are even limitations with how it can be used with the SX series, despite being a NEW model camera, but I think most of the functions I will need like fill or reduced output are covered.
So thanks Ziggy and everyone for your great posts!