which Canon flash is enough to use for fill?

[Julie Brown]

I just got the 270EX and love it for its small size and light weight on my 40D with my 24-105. But I am wondering if I need the 430EX for fill light in landscapes or macro. I don't need the 580EX do I? I would like to save the extra $200 or so.

Thanks!

[Robert Amoruso]

Julie,

Basically it comes down to guide numbers and the power output of the flash. You have:

Canon Speedlite 270EX with Guide Number of 89 Feet / 27m at ISO 100

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash with Guide Number 141 Feet / 43m at ISO 100

Canon Speedlite 580EX II with Guide Number of 190 Feet / 58m at ISO 100

Take a look at this link for info on Guide Numbers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_number. The higher the GN in feet the stronger the flash output and the farther the flash will illuminate.

Another important feature is High Speed Flash Sync which is available on the 430 EXII and 580 EXII on the back LCD menu of the flash as well as through the camera's menu system. HSS is very useful as it allows you to use the flash at shutter speeds much higher the the normal sync speed of the camera (normally around 1/250 sec), albeit at a reduction in Guide Number.

On the 270 EX you access all controls through the menu system including HSS as follows.

The camera’s menu system lets you enable the following functions on the 270EX:
- Flash firing: on or off
- Metering: E-TTL or E-TTL II (depending on the body) or manual.
- Manual output control can be set over a 7 stop range from full power to 1/64.
- Shutter sync: first or second curtain (default first curtain)
- FP mode/high speed sync: on or off (default off)
- Flash exposure compensation: Camera-dependent
- E-TTL: Evaluative or averaging metering; camera-dependent, default evaluative
- AF assist: on or off
- Quickflash with continuous shooting: on or off (default off)
- Save Energy/auto power off: on or off (default on)

For Bird Photographers, HSS is an important feature. And since we need as much flash output we can get, the 580 EX II is considered essential equipment for Canon bird photographers.

You mentioned landscapes. Marco and other closeup work can benefit from flash but in a true landscape image with significant depth of field, a flash is of little use except to paint with flash in night scenes and perhaps localized flash on a dark foreground.

See this link for info on Canon flash info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_flash_system. Also see the reference link at the bottom of the Wiki page to an excellent website on Canon flashes.

If Macro is your prime use, the 270EX is probably all you need.

[Julie Brown]

Thanks for the info Robert. This really helps!