Canon 420ex and T2i

[KameeraPhoto]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get my first external flash.

I met someone selling a 420ex for 150 dollars. I understand it is an older model, so I'm trying to find out if it's worth my time to use with my T2i.

They should be compatible, right? Any advice would be appreciated..

[inkista]

Yes, the 420EX supports e-TTL II, which is what you need for it to be compatible with a Canon dSLR. It can also be used as a slave flash in the Canon wireless flash system.

But.

It's an auto-only flash. It has no manual mode. This is a huge difference between it and its successor, the 430EX. Especially if you plan on doing off-camera flash Strobist-style. Because the most popular, easiest, least expensive way to control your flashes off-camera is to use cheap radio triggers--and the only way you can control the power level of the flash with those type of triggers is to use the flash's manual mode.

I'd say, it's not worth it. Go for a used 550EX or 430EX (MkI) instead.

If you really can't afford those, then maybe look into a Yongnuo YN-468 (~$110) or wait for the new YN-560 flash. They do eTTL and manual, and while they don't do the Canon proprietary wireless triggering, they do have an optical slave that supposedly works with the pop-up flash and can ignore the eTTL preflash. They're cheap Chinese manufacture, and you have to order from Hong Kong via eBay, but they're gathering a following, as are the Nissin Di flashes.