Canon Pro90IS/420EX flash test

This page is intended to show the difference that an external flash can make on any camera. These shots were taken with a Canon Pro90IS digital camera and Canon 420EX speedlight (external flash.) First, a few pictures of the 420EX that show the positions that the flash head is capable of:

The flash head can tilt from straight on to 90 degrees (straight up) and it swivels 180 degrees counterclockwise and 90 degrees clockwise. The 180 degree swivel allows you to point the flash at the camera and the head at the subject when you are using the 420EX as a slave with a 550EX or ST-E2 mounted on the camera as master.

Flash test

Now, on with the tests. These were all taken with my Pro90 and 420EX flash, white balance set to incandescent as I have found that that is the setting that gives the best color reproduction. You may click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version (beware -- the large files are about 1 meg each and will take a while to load on a dialup connection.)
First, the camera's internal flash for comparison:

Notice that there is an obvious magenta cast to this picture.

Now the 420EX straight on, no diffusion:

The magenta cast is gone but we still have shadows and a flat look to the picture.

Now the 420EX with the flash head in the 60 degree bounce position:

This looks much better because of the softer, more diffused light. Notice particularly that the shadows are much softer. The only problem is, we have lost some detail because of the softer light. Notice that the wrinkles in the yellow mat are not as visible as they were in the previous two pictures.

Next the 420EX straight on with the Stofen Omnibounce diffuser in place:

This has brought back much of the detail in the mat as well as diffused the light somewhat. It doesn't look as flat as the non-diffused flash picture but not as pleasing as the bounce flash. There is also a very slight yellow cast now because the Stofen diffuser colors the light just slightly.

The 420EX with Stofen at the 60 degree bounce position:

Now we're gettin' somewhere. This has some of the better attributes of the ones above. It has softer light than the previous shot, but also preserves most of the detail in the yellow mat. There is still that slight yellow cast though...

Now for the final shot, and my preferred method of using the 420EX -- a white index card on top of the flash, bounced at 60 degrees:

The yellow cast is gone, the light is nicely diffused, and there is detail in the yellow mat. We have lost a BIT of detail, but for the improvement in color and slightly better exposure, I think it's worth the compromise. Here are a couple of pictures of the index card setup on the flash. I made the card out of a couple of pieces of heavyweight matte paper taped together (to give it more rigidity,) and velcro to hold it on the flash.

Hopefully this helps at least a bit to see what difference an external flash can make for all of your flash pictures, as well as showing the effects of different types of diffusion. The Stofen Omnibounce is a great product and works great when you need more range than you can get with a bounced flash, but also want the light to be diffused somewhat. But for most flash shots, I much prefer the index card method for the reasons I outlined above. What's more, it is much cheaper than the Omnibounce as well.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments.