Canon offers several models of external speedlights to help both professional and amateur photographers get better shots. Whether doing portraits, close-up work, or more advanced applications, the Canon line can get it done. The flashes offer ETTL control, and some can also work as wireless controllers for other flashes.
Traditional Flashes
Canon offers four models of traditional flashes: 580EX II, 430EX II, the 220EX, and the new 270EX. The 220EX and 270EX are small flashes that run on two AA batteries and lack a rotatable head; they are best used with compact point and shoot cameras like Canon's G10. The 430EX II and 580EX II work with Canon's digital SLRs. The 430EX II can fill in 141 feet/43 meters at ISO 100, while the 580EX II has improved dust and weatherproof features and can fill 190 feet/58 meters at ISO 100. The 580EX II also recycles much faster than the 430EX II.
Ring Flashes
Ring flashes, which fit over the lens barrel of the camera instead of on the hot shoe of the camera, are ideal for close up photography and macro photography. Canon offers two models of ring lights, the MT-24EX and MR-14EX. The MT-24EX is a twin light configuration, with one light on each side in running parallel to each other. The Mr-14EX is a ring-shaped flash that stays close to the lens barrel. With the MR-14EX, the flash tubes can be triggered independently of each other. With the MT-24EX, the flash heads can be further aimed independently, or removed from their holders and mounted off the camera, offering the professional more flexibility.
Wireless Flashes
Photographers wanting wireless flash capability have several options. The 580EX II can function as a master flash and trigger others wirelessly, as can the MT-24EX and MR-14EX. Photographers who have the 430EX II who want to mount it somewhere else and trigger it wirelessly can buy the ST-E2 speedlight transmitter, which can function as a wireless control for all Canon flashes.
Tags: Canon offers, 220EX 270EX, each other, feet meters, fill feet, fill feet meters, lens barrel