Speedlite 550EX for EOS, Powershot, and Digital Slr Cameras

Manufacturer: Canon
Model: 2261A003
Average User RatingAverage User Rating: Number of User Reviews: 7

Reviewed by: nguyenpa from TX on Oct 1, 2004
Rating:

Experience: 21 Days

Strengths: Provides consistent exposures indoors at a greater range than the built-in flash of my Canon EOS 10D. The LCD info is great, provides focal length, aperature info to calculate DOF.

Weaknesses: The most expensive compared to other brands like the sigma super DG 500.

Summary: (Edited October 01st by nguyenpa) I find this flash to be very good at providing good light for indoor flash pictures. It uses E-TTL to provide consistent exposures. On the Canon 10D, I've learned that Av and Tv mode is for fill flash. Program mode lets you hand-hold shots indoors. Search E-TTL guides online before using this to get consistent shots with any E-TTL supported flash like this. Highly recommend this flash.

Hope this helps!

Reviewed by: gtitievsky from IL on Dec 19, 2004
Rating:

Experience: 4 Days

Strengths: Perfect light metering, thus very accurate flash output

Weaknesses: none as of yet

Summary: I'm using this flash with my Canon Digital Rebel. Having owned Sigma EF 500 DG Super, I was used to almost always correct my flash shots in post-processing for they were too dark or too bright. Not anymore!!! With Canon 550EX, the flash exposure problems are solved! Needless to say I am very happy with this flash. Though I never (yet) tried 580EX - I think that for people on a budget 550EX will be perfect.

Reviewed by: quanzi from NJ on May 15, 2004
Rating:

Experience: 1 Weeks

Strengths: Perfect support for your Canon EOS.

Weaknesses: None.

Summary: I am using this flash with my Canon EOS 10D. It works in perfect harmony with the camera. I guess that should be kind of obvious since they are both Canon products. A good off-brand flash will save you about $60 but I highly recommend sticking with the people who designed your camera.

The backlight LCD panel on the back of this is very handy in night situations. The LCD also displays a lot of information! You can see the range of your subject, your aperature, flash mode, flash power, and it makes it easy to set up slaves.

In all honesty I've never had a flash this nice before and I'm still getting used to the numerous features. There are several buttons to press on the back of this thing and until you get used to the menu it can be a little confusing. I've had it about a week now and it is becoming easier to get what I want.

I also want to briefly mention the AF assist. It works great! I have used off-brand flahes before and the assist had nowhere near the range of the 550EX.

Anyway, if you have a Canon EOS I highly recommend spending the extra dough for the 550EX. You never regret buying the best.

Reviewed by: joetejeda from FL on Oct 29, 2003
Rating:

Experience: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Great indoor pictures. The ability to work with multiple flashes wirelessly is great - I know I'll use it in the future. Plus it works with my Canon EOS 10D and XL1S equipment. The rotation is great.

Weaknesses: It's pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Summary: It does a great job for indoor pictures and helps out with those tough spots outside. This flash works great for the multiple Canon cameras I've got.

Reviewed by: lovedugod from NV on Jun 29, 2004
Rating:

Experience: 3 Weeks

Strengths: fully support for Canon

Weaknesses: None

Summary: Whenever using indoor or outdoor, 550EX supports for capturing good pictures, I'm a beginner though.
The important merit of this item is to fully support the functions for Canon cameras perfectly.
Anyhow, it is a little bit expensive. Compared the third party flash such as Sigma, that is lower price. but, supports almost same functions.

Reviewed by: yophoto91 from NJ on Jan 23, 2005
Rating:

Experience: 3 Months

Strengths: Consistent Results, Features, Nice, large LCD with illumination

Weaknesses: Expensive Cheap Battery door construction

Summary: (Edited January 23rd by yophoto91)

I have had this flash for a couple of months now and I love it. Gives perfect consistent results if you know how to use it properly. Has a great DOF scale, and works perfectly with Canon's Digital SLRs. The only thing that I don't like about the flash is the battery door construction. Every time you open it, it feels like it is going to snap off. Other then that I have no problems except for the price, but you get what you pay for: A professional flash.

Reviewed by: photogmommy from CT on Jan 12, 2005
Rating:

Experience: 20 Days

Strengths: consistant performer, very versitile, feature rich can be used as a transmitter or slave for other 550 ex for multi light set ups.

Weaknesses: quite heavy and expensive, will be replaced by 580 ex

Summary: (Edited January 12th by photogmommy) Once I got the product I ordered it has worked flawlessly right out of the box. Really improved the lighting in my pictures by 100%. As soon as I can afford it, I will buy another one.