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Can not be relied on for fast working situations.

Have to agree with two of the above, ettl is a bad move. I have to use it on the d30 but exposures are all over the place. I especially dislike the way on Programe mode as it sets the maximum aperture of the lens. Much preferred the 540ez on the 1n which locked at 60th in low light but at least gave different apertures as you got closer. The 550 is too complicated and as for studio multi flash set ups it does not have enough power. In fact I am going back to try the 540 on the 1v with ATTL. Makes me regret getting a 1v should have stayed with 1n''s.

Customer Service

UK CPS member so usually no problems.

Similar Products Used:

canon 430 and 540

Total control
Fully automatic if desired
Wireless
Powerful

None

Fabulously capable flash that opens up tons of new creative possibilities using multiple wireless units. Very powerful, accurate and balanced lighting.

Similar Products Used:

None

Ettl
Incredible power
Cordless sync with slave flashes

Too big
Noisy when recharging

A must if you have an EOS3. However why does it have to be this big? Nikons SB 28DX is much smaller and lighter. My EOS3 with booster and 550EX is unwieldy in cramped environments, and also is a bit out of balance, ofcourse depending on my choise of lens, but still!

The best about it, however, is the ability to check shadows when used on an EOS3. Just press the DOF-button and you have approx. 70 blinks in a second. No more picture-ruining shadows for this guy. I strongly recommend you to buy two. This way you are really rocking with cordless sync and total flash control.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

540EZ
SB 28DX
SB 24/25/26

Powerful flash - recycles quickly (with new bats). Offers nice lighting, especially in HS mode for fill in flash - perfect for those midday portraits. LCD panel illumination very useful. Guide light feature when you press DOF button on EOS 3. Easy to use with E-TTL. Standby battery saving mode (SE) is very useful.

Cost.
Only suited for newer cameras such as EOS 3 - with EOS 5 many features are left to waste (such as HS synchronisation, AF Aid light, and E-TTL capability).

Essential for low light situations - where one would usually have to resort to faster film. One also has the possibility to try many interesting effects in low light (stroboscope, 2nd curtain sync.), and it is useful for fill flash.
Operation is simple, and intuitive, and one can most often expect well exposed photographs from Canon EOS 3 combined with 550 EX.
There is also the possibility to buy more than one 550 EX unit, and the IR unit that allows one to use multiflash. An interesting future...

Customer Service

no idea

Similar Products Used:

Metz 40

Powerful
LCD display with illumination.
Manual control
Wide Angle coverage (as wide as 17mm! with built-in diffuser)
Wireless control by ST-E2 or by another 550EX for creative lighting control
Stroboscopic Flash

If I have to name one, I will say it's a bit heavy. Otherwise, there's none.

This is definitely a must with EOS3. A very versatile flash with a lot of features for creative control, certainly much more versatile than the little 380EX. It covers as wide as 17mm with the built-in diffuser. Also, the diffuser can act as a bounce for catch light. Tilt and swivel provide very creative lighting control. LCD is big and very easy to read. Stroboscopic flash needs to use carefully to prevent overheating , but that's okay. I highly recommend this, especially if you have an EOS3 [IMHO, it's a little bit too big for Elan II, especially when you need to rest the camera on a bean bag or on the table.]

Customer Service

Haven't tried before.

Similar Products Used:

Speedlite 380EX

E-TTL flash metering
Fast flash recharge
Works great with EOS 1v & EOS 3

None

It is wonderful flash for only 300 USD

Customer Service

I've never had any problems

Similar Products Used:

380EX, 540EZ

E-TTL flash metering (used correctly, it's just as good as Nikon's D metering)
Swivel/tilt head, allows for bounce flash in nearly any orientation.
Moderately high powered
Information packed LCD display
Bounce plate for generating catchlights in portraits
Fast flash recharge times
Auto-zoom head performs flawlessly.
Included stand is perfect for multiple flash
Wireless multi-flash

When used in a master/slave setup, it'll beam a flash to communicate to the other flashes even though the camera is set to turn flash off (annoying)
I wish flash exposure confirmation would show up in the camera viewfinder! I can never remember to look at the back of the flash to confirm exposure

The most advanced flash system to come from Canon, it is wonderful. The multiple flash control capability makes on-location lighting setups a breeze. I wish flash output were a bit more powerful, but as-is, it is very powerful already.

Customer Service

Not required

Similar Products Used:

380EX

The really great E-TTL, with the EOS 50 & the EOS 3, wich provides a perfect exposure. The lot of features and power.

Nothing to say...

This product provides really good results with both EOS 50 & EOS 3. On the EOS 3, the possibility to see the shadows, in pressing the PDC Preview key is just great, and give the sensation to have, by the combo EOS 3 & 550 EX, a real studio !

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

-

Very powerfull. Quite short recycling time. Lots of features.

A little bit too big (in my opinion) but that's not a big deal.

It works very well with EOS3 and any other EOS camera. Due to the weight of the flashgun (405g without batteries), you may need something to balance a camera when 550EX is attached (e.g. battery pack).

Customer Service

I've never had any problems with my 550EX. So... don't know ...

Similar Products Used:

380EX

E-TTL works terrifically to provide natural lighting - subject at center is not washed out and instead evenly lit as across the scene. Powerful flash output with compensation. Wireless feature is convenient and help create special effect or mood in the pictures with at least 2 550EXs

much more pricey than 540EZ but well worth it

The best flash I ever own. Exposure is better than 540EZ and 380EX. I helped me take many great indoor flash pictures. Quicker recharging time works beautifully with indoor action flash photography.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 540EZ, 380 EX