What to look out for when buying a Canon speedlite!

oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
edited March 25, 2011 in Accessories
Going to pick up a canon 480ex speedlite only 7 months old for €120.
Is there a quick way to test it out? Apart from just pushing the red button on the back of it.

Regards
Patrick:D

Comments

  • divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    I'm no expert (we'll wait for Ziggy's response for that :D) but this is what I would look for:

    - Check for burn marks on the front, or any place where it looks like it might have been melted.

    - Check the hotshoe for any cracks/damage, and make sure that the securing ring tightens up properly and turns in both directions (ie loosen and tighten).

    - check the bounce and swivel (there are two buttons on the 420 one for bouncing and one for swiveling). The head should stay in position where it "clicks" when you bounce it, rather than fall down loose. The swivel turns further one direction than the other (ie that's normal, not a problem).

    - Can you take your camera and try it out then and there? Make sure it responds to FEC commands in-camera. If you have an off-camera transmittter (eg STE2 or 7d, or pocket wizards), try it with those as well to make sure it works in slave mode.

    Await Ziggy's and other expert's responses with interest! thumb.gif
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  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    Good on ya girl. Some ideas i didnt think of there. Is there a number on the body of the 480ex flash that determines the year of manufacture

    Regards
    Patrick:D
  • divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    No clue about the serial numbers/year of manufacture - it hasn't been made for quite a few years afaik so it's likely to be fairly old by default!
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  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    Good god i hope they still manufactured this model 8 months ago or im stuffed if i pay for it wednesday. I was going to use it as a slave to a 580exii. Will this still work or should i back out now before it is too late.
    I didnt know that there is a 420ex ettl. I thought i was going after the 480ex. I need a pair of glasses not to notice this.
    Does anyone here know if i am going to be limited in the use of this flash as regards using it as a slave or should i continue?headscratch.gif
    Regards
    Patrick
  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    Just looked around the net and found out that the 420ex is not ettl 2 so i dont know if this is a problem or not.

    Regards
    Patrick.:D
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 19, 2011
    I am not familiar with a Canon 480EX. The 420EX has not been made in many years. Please check the model number.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    Here is the item in question
    http://www.adverts.ie/camera-accessories/canon-speedlite-420ex/503700
    Have a look and tell me what you think.
    Regards
    Patrick:D
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 19, 2011
    The Canon 430EX replaced the 420EX in 2005. The current model of that series is the 430EX II (from 2008.) I don't believe that it could be as recent as the seller claims it is.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2011
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    The Canon 430EX replaced the 420EX in 2005. The current model of that series is the 430EX II (from 2008.) I don't believe that it could be as recent as the seller claims it is.

    Sorry for troubling you, but can you tell the difference between the two models by the picture in the advertisement? Will i be losing out much spec wise if i go ahead and buy it for some portrait work using it as a slave to my 580ex ii?

    Regards
    Patrick:D
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 19, 2011
    oakfieldphotography.com wrote: »
    Sorry for troubling you, but can you tell the difference between the two models by the picture in the advertisement? Will i be losing out much spec wise if i go ahead and buy it for some portrait work using it as a slave to my 580ex ii?

    Regards
    Patrick:D

    I can't tell what flash it is from the image. The 420EX is a pretty good flash and should cooperate with the 580EX II as a wireless slave, if it is working properly. If you have the chance to test it before purchase that would be best.

    I am concerned that the seller seems to believe that the unit is less than a year old, which I cannot believe since it was replaced over 5 years ago. (Unless it is actually a 430EX. In that case it should be selling for more, I would expect.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2011
    I can only repeat what I said in your other thread about this flash: it's a great flash if you only want to use it in ETTL mode. It does NOT have a manual mode. It works perfectly as a slave to my STE2, and I'm sure would work well as a slave to a 580ex/II. It doesn't recycle quite as quickly as the newer models, but its performance is acceptable as long as you're not expecting the latest whizzbang technology. Exposure accuracy has generally been excellent.

    It is an older flash; if the person says they've had it 7 months, perhaps they bought it used somewhere? The price you're quoting sounds about right for it in Europe, I would think - mine was $120 (used) when I bought it and since things are usually a bit cheaper in the US that would seem commensurate with what I paid.

    It's a perfectly useable flash if you don't need manual mode as well as ETTL; if you do, then you need to go with one of the other models (eg 430ex/II, 550ex, 580ex/II, Sigma Canon-compatible flashes)

    ETA: I've just had a look at my 420 and 430 flashes and I'm 99% sure that's the 420ex, because of the shape and placement of the IR panels and the curve of the plastic housing. No promises without seeing the button layout on the back, but I think it's likely. Also, the pouch it comes with is the older Canon pouch; the new one is nylon rather than leatherette.
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  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2011
    Thanks for your help. I think i will go for it as i can controll both flashes from my 5d mk2.
    Regards
    Patrick:D
  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2011
    Hi all
    i went to see the man who owned the 420ex and could not get both to work together. I thought i read here somewhere that there are flashes that my 580exii will work with at less than half the price? Mabey i am seeing things. But if you all know anything will you let me know please.

    Regards
    Patrick.:D
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 24, 2011
    oakfieldphotography.com wrote: »
    Hi all
    i went to see the man who owned the 420ex and could not get both to work together. I thought i read here somewhere that there are flashes that my 580exii will work with at less than half the price? Mabey i am seeing things. But if you all know anything will you let me know please.

    Regards
    Patrick.:D

    I use Sigma EF-530 DG Super (EO-ETTL II) flashes with my Canon 580EX flash and they can be either the master/commander flash or the slave.

    The user interface is completely different than the Canon interface and construction quality is not as robust. Still, I use them professionally and they produce very nice results.

    This was from a 580EX as master on the camera, also used for bounce and fill, with 2 Sigma 530 flashes slaved on either side for key light:

    1125881067_EWAVE-O.jpg

    Just make sure that you purchase the correct version for Canon EOS. (No, the "ST" version will not work for you as it has no wireless capability.)

    http://www.photo4less.com/products/Sigma_EF-530_DG_Super_Electronic_Flash_for_Canon_DSLR_____085126925253_____SGEF530SPCA.html

    The Sigma EF 610 DG Super seems to have replaced the 530 series. A little more power and a little more costly:

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741717-REG/Sigma_169_101_EF_530_DG_Super_Flash.html
    http://www.adorama.com/SG610EOS.html
    http://www.photo4less.com/products/Sigma_EF-610_DG_SUPER_Electronic_Flash_for_Canon_Digital_SLR_Cam_____085126927387_____SGEF610SPCA.html
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2011
    Thanks Ziggy53
    You always come up trumphs. Thats exaxctly what i need. I think i will buy one first and choose a second one if needed as most of my work involves vintage and classic cars and tractors.
    I can see from the photo you posted here that these flashes work well with the 580exii.
    What lens did you use for this picture?

    Regards
    Patrick.:D
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 25, 2011
    oakfieldphotography.com wrote: »
    Thanks Ziggy53
    You always come up trumphs. Thats exaxctly what i need. I think i will buy one first and choose a second one if needed as most of my work involves vintage and classic cars and tractors.
    I can see from the photo you posted here that these flashes work well with the 580exii.
    What lens did you use for this picture?

    Regards
    Patrick.:D

    I used an old Canon EF 28-80mm, f2.8-f4L USM. (Predecessor to both the current 24-70f2.8L and previous 28-70f2.8L.)

    This is the pertinent EXIF:

    Model - Canon EOS 5D Mark II
    ExposureTime - 1/200 seconds
    FNumber - 3.50
    ExposureProgram - Aperture priority
    ISOSpeedRatings - 50
    ExposureBiasValue - -0.67
    MeteringMode - Multi-segment
    Flash - Flash fired, Compulsory flash mode
    FocalLength - 48 mm
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • oakfieldphotography.comoakfieldphotography.com Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2011
    Great to gather some info from the Exif data. Just see that the iso is at 50 and was wondering if you had gone through the CFN settings to choose number one for that and just wondering did you choose that setting to give more detail in the photo given that you had good light to play with where you took this photograph?
    Sorry for this being so long winded but i am still learning about setting up my 5dmkii as my lens has not arrived yet.

    Regards
    Patrick.:D
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 25, 2011
    oakfieldphotography.com wrote: »
    Great to gather some info from the Exif data. Just see that the iso is at 50 and was wondering if you had gone through the CFN settings to choose number one for that and just wondering did you choose that setting to give more detail in the photo given that you had good light to play with where you took this photograph?
    Sorry for this being so long winded but i am still learning about setting up my 5dmkii as my lens has not arrived yet.

    Regards
    Patrick.:D

    That room had too much ambient light that was the wrong color balance/white balance. That was the reason for the ISO 50, to reduce the impact from ambient. I wanted all the light to come from sources I provided.

    ISO 50 has slightly reduced dynamic range versus ISO 100 so I am not often inclined to use it. In this circumstance it was justified and I had very tight control over dynamic range so it was not a problem.

    The 1/200th was a mistake and it should have been 1/250th. Since I wasn't allowing much ambient to affect the shot it didn't have much practical effect.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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