External flash on Canon S5 question

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undesign

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I have no experience with external flashes. I'm taking a lot of portrait shots of my baby daughter recently and the internal flash gives the photos a really bland, almost flat look. :(

It seems that using bounce flash could be the answer. My question is - does anyone have experience with the 270EX Speedlight flash? It doesn't have an AF assist lamp - 90 degrees tilt, but no swivel. Is that a deal breaker?

Cost is OK at R1,700 - alternatively there is the 430EX at R3,200 (great specs it seems, but expensive and large - maybe overkill?)

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks :)
 
If you are not using ETTL you can find any flash head that uses less than 5V trigger voltage to use on your camera. I picked up a Vivitar for R600 and second hand nikon flashes for R500 (which i use with a canon). Very old model flashes uses over 200V trigger voltage and you run the risk of frying your camera.
 
SubliminalThought said:
If you are not using ETTL you can find any flash head that uses less than 5V trigger voltage to use on your camera. I picked up a Vivitar for R600 and second hand nikon flashes for R500 (which i use with a canon). Very old model flashes uses over 200V trigger voltage and you run the risk of frying your camera.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Afaik the S5 uses E-TTL. I'm currently following up on a second-hand 380EX - it's pretty cheap and maybe a good start.
 
That 270EX Speedlight looks pretty cool. I wouldnt mind one for my own use.

In the meantime try sticking a piece of masking tape over the built in flash or using a business card to redirect the light. :)

BTW - according to DPReview it does have AF Assist.
 
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bwana said:
In the meantime try sticking a piece of masking tape over the built in flash or using a business card to redirect the light. :)
Click to expand...

Will give it a try tonight :cool:

BTW - according to DPReview it does have AF Assist.
Click to expand...

Afaik it doesn't work on the Powershot models. Not sure if it matters :o, will do some more reading.

Hmmm, can pick up a used 380EX for R1,000 or buy new 270EX for R1,700. Decisions, decisions.
 
SiriS said:
I have no experience with external flashes. I'm taking a lot of portrait shots of my baby daughter recently and the internal flash gives the photos a really bland, almost flat look. :(

It seems that using bounce flash could be the answer. My question is - does anyone have experience with the 270EX Speedlight flash? It doesn't have an AF assist lamp - 90 degrees tilt, but no swivel. Is that a deal breaker?

Cost is OK at R1,700 - alternatively there is the 430EX at R3,200 (great specs it seems, but expensive and large - maybe overkill?)

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

I don't think the AF assist lamp will be a problem seeing that your camera already has one on the body and that still works while you have the speedlight attached.
I was just thinking now, having no swivel will kind of suck when taking portraits because you wont be able to bounce the flash off the ceiling. Maybe you could attach a mirror or some kind of reflective object to direct the flash upwards while in portrait
 
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SiriS said:
It seems that using bounce flash could be the answer. My question is - does anyone have experience with the 270EX Speedlight flash? It doesn't have an AF assist lamp - 90 degrees tilt, but no swivel. Is that a deal breaker?
Click to expand...

Not really, if you get a sync chord and put the flash somewhere off-camera. It might actually help - it can be somewhat awkward to get the flash pointing the right way for bounce.

BTW, just having the flash further away from the lens helps a lot already. My Sigma sits about 20cm above the lens, and even when firing directly at the subject, the image retains a fair bit of depth.
 
Got the 270EX for christmas. Really nice, "people photos" look much better. Still playing around with it, but definitely a keeper.
 
SiriS said:
Got the 270EX for christmas. Really nice, "people photos" look much better. Still playing around with it, but definitely a keeper.
Click to expand...

Nice! Lucky you :)

I recently started playing with off-camera flash and it's made a HUGE difference to my photos, especially portraits. It's not overly expensive getting a stand and some umbrellas (have a look at www.strobistshop.co.za) and you won't believe how much of a difference it makes. Also, if you're interested, start reading your way through the very comprehensive Strobist Blog at http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Juice
 
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