I have an Elan 7E setup. I also read that since the 550EX predates
the Elan body, the 550EX's AF assist light does not fully cover the
vertical focusing spots.
>>From: pencilcup anon@here.com
>
>>Does anyone know if and when Canon will release an update to the 550EX
>>flash unit? An update here meaning a newer unit.
>
>Is there something that needs to be improved on the 550EX?
Annika1980 said:
>>From: pencilcup anon@here.com
>
>>Does anyone know if and when Canon will release an update to the 550EX
>>flash unit? An update here meaning a newer unit.
>
> Is there something that needs to be improved on the 550EX?
They could have included a little white bounce card. Like Nikon did.

Signature
I am a product of The Summer Of Love, 1967.
Lose the wings - then fly to me!
Bart van der Wolf - 25 May 2004 18:37 GMT
> Annika1980 said:
SNIP
> > Is there something that needs to be improved on the 550EX?
>
> They could have included a little white bounce card. Like Nikon did.
IMO little white bounce cards lose a lot of light, and neither significantly
increases the apparent size of the lightsource, nor the angle of
illumination. If you're in a room with reflecting surfaces, you'd probably
get a better shadow softening effect by using the built-in super-wide-angle
diffuser, or a Stofen Omnibounce. For something really effective you'd need
some of the larger Lumiquest attachments, or use off-camera flash via IR
control.
Bart
Tom - 25 May 2004 18:54 GMT
> Annika1980 said:
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> They could have included a little white bounce card. Like Nikon did.
They did. Or rather, they included something that does that effect. The
included diffusion lens can be partly withdrawn and angled forward when the
flash itself is pointed straight up. This reflects just enough light
forward towards the subject to produce a pleasing catch light in the
subjects eye as well as giving just a hint of fill.
Tom
Dallas - 27 May 2004 15:45 GMT
Tom said:
> They did. Or rather, they included something that does that effect. The
> included diffusion lens can be partly withdrawn and angled forward when the
> flash itself is pointed straight up. This reflects just enough light
> forward towards the subject to produce a pleasing catch light in the
> subjects eye as well as giving just a hint of fill.
But the top end Nikon speedlights have both the diffuser and the bounce
card (well at least my SB-25 did). It's omission is just another of
Canon's cost-cutting escapades! ;-)

Signature
I am a product of The Summer Of Love, 1967.
Lose the wings - then fly to me!