Canon 550 EX Flash for G6, G5, G3, G2, G1, Pro1, Pro90 & all EOS SLR Cameras Description and Reviews.

From the Manufacturer
Speedlite 550EX is the main component of a new flash system designed together with the EOS-3 SLR camera. It provides full compatibility with the new area AF technology employed by the EOS-3 and refined E-TTL autoflash for improved performance. Other main features include a maximum Guide Number of 180 (ISO 100, ft.), an AF-assist beam which links to the EOS-3's 45-point area AF, FP Flash (high speed sync), FE lock (a flash version of AE lock), and FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). The Speedlite 550EX also incorporates a built-in wireless transmitter, which can control other Speedlite 550EX units set up as slave units. Flash coverage is set automatically from 24mm to 105mm, and a wide-angle panel extends the coverage to 17mm. The new Speedlite runs on 4 AA-size batteries, and can also be used with optional external power supplies such as

Compact Battery Pack E and Transistor Pack E. Recycling times are faster than those experienced with the Speedlite 540EZ. Speedlite 550EX is compatible with all EOS models.

Product Description
Speedlite 550EX is the main component of a flash system designed together with the EOS-3 SLR camera. It provides full compatibility with the area AF technology employed by the EOS-3 and refined E-TTL autoflash for improved performance. Other main features include a maximum Guide Number of 180 (ISO 100, ft.), an AF-assist beam which links to the EOS-3's 45-point area AF, FP Flash (high speed sync), FE lock (a flash version of AE lock), and FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). The Speedlite 550EX also incorporates a built-in wireless transmitter, which can control other Speedlite 550EX units set up as slave units. Flash coverage is set automatically from 24mm to 105mm, and a wide-angle panel extends the coverage to 17mm. The Speedlite runs on 4 AA-size batteries, and can also be used with optional external power supplies such as Compact Battery Pack E and Transistor Pack E. Recycling times are faster than those experienced with the Speedlite 540EZ. Speedlite 550EX is compatible with all EOS models. ________________________________________________________________

Product Reviews:

Outstanding piece of equipment, October 4, 2001
Reviewer: Bruce C. Moore

This unit performs exactly as it is described it will. It's worth seeking out a product description on the source of your choice. Easy to use in automatic modes, and fully capable of meeting a great variety of situations through it's manual modes.
Easy to learn interface, fast recycle times, good battery life, solid construction, expansive coverage. I never think twice about including it in whatever bag I'm carrying, indoors out out.

Master-slave capability will meet the needs of many pros and most all avocational photographers. Hot shoe or bracket mounted, it delivers.

I've always had a strong bias for natural light, but this unit has helped me get beyond that to optimize marginal or difficult lighting situations. It has expanded my horizons as an amatuer photographer.
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Top-End Flash Unit, July 20, 2000
Reviewer: A customer

This is Canon's top of the line flash unit. The list of features is extensive for this camers:
* Dedicated to Canon cameras. * -7 to 90 degree bounce. * -90 to 180 degree swivel. * E-TTL and TTL metering. * auto-zoom head. * high speed shutter sync. * rear-curtain sync. * flash exposure compensation. * flash bracketing. * strobe flash. * Manual-flash mode. * Back-lit LCD screen.

The most impressive part of this flash is the ability to perform E-TTL sync among multiple flash units. This allows you to locate various flash units around the subject and trigger them symultaneously. The flash output is adjusted based on the E-TTL and a flash ratio that is set up between the flash units.

The flash unit also includes a distance scale that will read the film speed and aperature from the camera to let you know the range the flash can be used for. Fast film and a wide aperature will often cause the effective range to go off the end of the scale (18 m).

This flash is not for everyone. If you prefer to point and shoot, then this flash is probably more than you'll need. However, if you prefer to think about how the flash should be used or take the flash out of automatic mode then this flash is what you should be looking at.

If you can do without the high speed sync and remote operation, then the Canon 540 EZ may also be worth looking at.
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Wireless E-TTL, March 24, 2005
Reviewer: foto_man

The best feature of this flash is the wireless E-TTL feature. With two 550ex's one will work as a master and one as a slave and with the ST-E2 both flashes can be off camera and fired E-TTL. The draw backs are: price, no manual control in slave mode for greater light control, and size (this thing is big). The plus side weighs out the negatives. It is a great flash.
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Great development., March 10, 2005
Reviewer: Wiver "JCO"

I am very happy of having gotten this flash.. it works pretty well, and I like its performance.