| Product: |
Canon Speedlite 220EX |
| Date: |
22.01.07 (657 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Cheap and simple
Disadvantages: Lacks versatility
I have taken some decent photographs with my Canon EOS 300D and Canon Speedlite 220EX - the unit will generally support all EOS cameras. As is often the case it was not so easy at first. Using a new flash apparatus always takes a bit of getting use to. That is where the digital camera has one of its main advantages over earlier film cameras: you can have a few goes until you get it right by checking it in the view finder and if the images look trashy you can just delete them.
You might find a few cheaper flashes on the market that might give a similar performance but you always have to make sure that they are fully compatible with Canon's electronic through-the-lens flash metering. I have found the performance of this flash to be more than satisfactory over the few months that I have used it. The 220EX flash unit fulfils its promise of providing natural-looking balanced flash exposures. With E-TTL operation, flash exposure is measured and controlled by the camera in combination with Canon's AIM system. The system analyses in an instant the position of your subject/object position, the ambient light level, evaluative metering and pre-flash data. Even heavy backlighting or reflections from background windows or mirrors is taken into account. For the E-TTL evaluative pre-stored flash exposure control system to operate, the flash must be attached to advance cameras such as the EOS IX, EOS Elan II/Elan IIe, or EOS Rebel G. When used with other cameras, it operates as a TTL autoflash.
Disadvantage
It has to be emphasised that this is a basic Flash unit and the range of lighting effects will be considerably reduced when compared with more expensive Flash systems. There is no swivel head on this flash for example. This means there is less versatility in its operation – you can not for example bounce flash off bright surfaces. This Flash is also pretty useless when it comes to taking distant shots or using a long zoom in subdued lighting. Another possible drawback of this unit is the complete lack of manual override controls. The fact that this Flash gun is solely designed for automatic use might be a limitation for more advanced photographers, but automatic seems to be so often the only option these days.
I would recommend this Flash for beginners and intermediate users. Many EOS cameras now incorporate a small flash head into thje top of the camera attached which is often sufficient enough for most tasks. But if you are feeling that your options are becoming a bit limited then using this Flash gun is not a bad place to start for EOS users. If you really want to be ambitious you can also link up this Flash to other Canon flashes for multiple flash lighting effects.
I think I got a good deal for my flash unit that was purchased in Amazon for just short of £130
Technical Summary
• Product Description: Canon Speedlite 220EX - hot-shoe clip-on flash
• Camera Flash: Hot-shoe clip-on flash
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 6.5 cm x 9.2 cm x 6.1 cm
• Weight: 160 g
• Guide Number (m / ISO 100): 22
• Lens Coverage: 28mm
• Supported Exposure Control: TTL, E-TTL
• Colour Temperature: Daylight
• Features: AF illuminator
• Required Battery: 4 x battery - AA type
• Carrying Case: Soft case
• Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year warranty
Summary: Hot Shoe for Beginners
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