Well, are they worth to buy for my eos 300? I like these 2 flashes coz they have swivel heads. To me, A- or E-TTL is not important.I just wonder if they can still work when they are produced more than a decade ago. Also i wonder if there will be incompatibility problem.... Thx

-- arthur king (arthurar@email.com), May 13, 2002

Answers

They're both good flashes - particularly the 430. Each was Canon's top-of-the-line shoemount flash unit when it was introduced. There should not be any compatibility problems. They should still work unless they were abused; I have a cheapie 20-yr-old flash unit that still works.

If you like the price, go for it.

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), May 13, 2002.

The 430EZ is definitly the better of the two when used with an EOS 300/Rebel 2000, since that flash has Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) controls on the flash. The 420EZ does not.

Also the 420EZ lacks the locking pin of the 430EZ in the flash foot. Can't remember how many shots I have lost because the flash started to slip off. The locking pin prevents that.

What you gain with these is full manual control when you want/need it.

What you lose is Flash Exposure Lock (FEL) and high speed sync (FP). Also the E-TTL metering is a little bit better in difficult lighting situations, and it's better with fill flash.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), May 13, 2002.

If you have an older body which lacks FEC (flash exposure compensation) controls I recommend the 430EZ, which has FEC controls built in. The 420EZ lacks FEC controls and also lacks a port for a high-powered battery pack.

I have a review of the 430EZ on my site, but a few hours. Back soon.

http://photonotes.org/ reviews"

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), May 13, 2002.

I meant to say my site was down for a few hours owing to some problems with my ISP, but it's now back.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), May 13, 2002.

I've been using 430 for more than 10 years. Used it in not favorable conditions - high mountains, cold, desert, heat, dust. Carried it a lot throughout rough places, took lots of shots with it. Works fine.

-- Boris Krivoruk (boris.krivoruk@kp.org), May 14, 2002.

Thanks a lot !!

-- arthur king (arthurar@email.com), May 14, 2002.