Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash for Canon EOS SLR Cameras - Older Version

This flash also works as a wireless "slave" flash with EOS-1v, EOS-3, Elan 7 / 7E, and D30 bodies. The remote flash firing is controlled entirely by a master unit--such as the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Speedlite 550EX, or Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX--connected to the camera, making it fast and simple to set up. When used with the EOS-1V, EOS-3, or EOS D30 cameras, additional features such as lighting ratio control and modeling flash are also supported by the 420EX.

Product Description
SPEEDLIGHT, (CANON) 420EX - FOR ALL

I recently purchased this as part of my Digital Rebel package and am quite impressed with its features. The E-TTL -- the ability to adjust to the scene according to the camera's metering results -- is really amazing.

On the back of the unit is an LED display showing your approximate focal length (24 - 105mm), which also determines how powerful the flash will be. Additionally, there is a pilot button/light (for a test flash), exposure confirmation light, high-speed sync switch, "slave" setting buttons and the power switch.

After its flash flexibility, the 420EX's most impressive feature is its physical flexibility. You can move the flashhead within 90° vertically and horizontally, and it will lock at several angles. This enables the bounce-flash -- assuming you have a reflective surface nearby. Bounce-flash softens and distributes the light so you don't have overexposed, stiff looking subjects.

Speaking of which, I'd like to say that I bought a Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce diffuser when I bought the 420EX because it seemed like a good accessory. I have found that I generally don't need it because the 420EX is able to fine-tune itself to each shot.

I can't comment on its functionality as a slave because I have not used it in that capacity.

Ultimately, the 420EX is a great tool, whether you're shooting your kid's birthday party or a macro of a flower. It will allow you to take much better photos than you can with the built-in flash. And at its current price it is absolutely unbeatable.


Amazing Color with the Bounce Flash Feature.   July 1, 2004
K. HUANG (Austin, TX United States)
77 out of 78 found this review helpful

I was thinking of using this higher power flash than the built-in flash (on my Canon Digital Rebel) because it seems that people keep telling me too. I never paid much attention to it because I rather spend my money on another lens or accessory.

Fortuneately, I ran out of things I thought I needed. In a nutshell, this flash is amazing and I wished I got it a long time ago.

Everything is automatic, and it takes out all of the guesswork for my amateur needs. When I tried the bounce flash (by adjusting the flash 75 degrees-up to bounce light off of the ceiling in a 10 ft high room), the pictures came out with more vibrant colors than I expected. In contrast, all of my past pictures became dimmer the instant I saw the new results.

Colors in objects that you don't pay attention to become visible and vibrant (the house plants in the corner, color of carpet, furniture, background painting and decor, etc). The bounce flash made my evening pictures as brillant as pictures taken in the afternoon.

In addition, since I bounced the flash from the ceiling, my pictures didn't have the dark and glooming shadows behind people. I have tried a side bounce to produce better results than a direct flash when I cannot bounce off of a ceiling.

I only wished that there were some emphasis and tips on using the bounce flash in the manuals. I guess it is a simple-enough method, but it produces amazing results. I was fortuneate to be reading a book about digital photograph (40 Digital Photography Techniques) that had 2-3 tips on trying a bounce flash.

I also purchased this flash for my loreo 3d lens attachment. Although it produces better and brighter picture than the buit-in flash, my picture with the loreo lens are still too dark. My best results are from pictures under the afternoon light. (I will continue to use software like photoshop to adjust the brightness and contrast in my loreo pictures when a flash is needed--which afterwards can become amazing.)


Great Flash for EOS type-A cameras   July 20, 2001
miner49 (Southern California (USA))
93 out of 96 found this review helpful

I bought this flash to go with my Elan 7E and it has worked great. It has all the features that most EOS users would ever need (vertical and horizontal bounce, fast sync, and E-TTL control). It isn't as good as the 550EX, but if you aren't planning on using mutliple flashes slaved together this is the better deal at almost half the cost (though the 420EX can be used as a wireless slave flash with the 550EX as the master). If you are shopping for an external flash for your EOS camera, you can't go wrong with this one.


Great Flash for use with EOS/Canon digital   December 16, 2000
George P. Hatzigiannis DMD, MD (Peabody, MA)
135 out of 143 found this review helpful

Bought this flash about two weeks ago for use with my Canon Powershot G1 digital camera, and have been nothing but impressed with it. it mates beautifully to the Canon, although it does make it somewhat bulky. The bounce flash photography is beautiful, and the E-TTL system just makes you look like a total pro. I also look forward to using it for wireless flash photography.

There are SOME things missing, however. Compared to my Canon 430 EZ flash, there is no LCD display. No flash compensation (but this isn't a big deal, since that's controlled from my G1). No strobe. If these are important to you, step up to the 550 EX. Otherwise, the 420 is a beautiful workhorse.


Big, bulky and essential   February 23, 2002
alaska (New York, NY USA)
72 out of 74 found this review helpful

If you have a Canon G1 or G2 digital camera, you've probably noticed the limitations of the built-in flash. It's way too close to the lens, which causes images to look flat and lifeless, and the color of the light tends to wash out colors as well.

The Canon Speedlite 420 is a pretty big device; it's basically the same size as the camera, and about the same weight w/ batteries. For that additional bulk, however, you get a powerful flash that can bounce light off walls and ceilings, creating much more professional-looking results. The improvement over the built-in is really like night and day.