BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Bunny Snow		Directional off camera lighting It is my understanding that a 420 EX is compatible with the EOS Canon Elan 7E. Therefore, why could not the 420 EX speedlite be used off the camera as directional light, such as background light, to the MR-14EX ring lite? Why must the capatible speed lite be a 550 EX to the MR-14EX?? This is getting more and more expensive and complicated! Thanking you in advance. To love this question, log in above December 08, 2004

Andy		The 420EX has a built in slave that can be used off camera, which triggered by 1) Off Camera Shoe Cord 2, which is only 3 feet long when fully stretched, used mostly for flash bracket 2) other 550EX, 580EX, MT-24EX or MR-14EX 3) Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, which I think is the most flexible and economical (about $200). Expensive. Yes. Complicated. Not really with the ST-E2 and 420EX. I found it more complicated using other flashes as the master. For the ST-E2, you just need to set the channel number the same as the one you set on the flash. If you have multiple flashes and you want to set the flash ratio (only 2 groups allowed for the ST-E2 and up to 3 groups for the 550EX, 580EX, etc), you just press the ratio button and use the arrow buttons to set the desire ratio. On the 420EX, you need to slide the switch to slave, select the channel number, and group letter if you use multiple flashes. It's that simple. Hope this helps. To love this comment, log in above December 09, 2004

Jon Close		>>"It is my understanding that a 420 EX is compatible with the EOS Canon Elan 7E."<< That is correct. >>"Therefore, why could not the 420 EX speedlite be used off the camera as directional light, such as background light, to the MR-14EX ring lite?"<< You can use the 420EX's wirelessly with the MR-14EX. The information at Canon's website states: "Supports E-TTL Wireless Autoflash in conjunction with one or more 550EXs." This statement seems to restrict use to the 550EX only, but it's just that the MR-14EX was introduced before there was a 420EX model and the website has not been updated to reflect that. The August 2000 press release announcing the 420EX specifically states: "The new Speedlite 420EX can be used with most current EOS cameras as a remote flash in an E-TTL wireless autoflash system. ... Remote flash firing is controlled entirely by a master unit such as Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Speedlite 550EX or Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX connected to the camera, making it fast and simple to set up." To love this comment, log in above December 09, 2004

Jon Close		P.S. There is a terrific EOS resource at http://photonotes.org/articles/. Especially helpful is the link there to a comprehensive explanation of the EOS flash system. To love this comment, log in above December 09, 2004

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here Report this Thread