Canon SLR Reviews

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Canon Speedlite 270EX Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Canon’s new Speedlite 270EX adds power and flexibility for enhanced flash photography anywhere. Light, compact and small enough to fit in your pocket, Speedlite 270EX features 2-step coverage for 28mm and 50mm focal lengths, plus a highly useful bounce-flash function for amazingly easy, polished results. Powered by 2 AA batteries (not included), Speedlite 270EX is easily set-up and controlled through your camera’s menu system (with select models), communicates color temperature information with your camera for optimal white balance and recharges silently in less than 4 seconds. An indispensable complement to your Canon camera, Speedlite 270EX is a perfect extension of your photographic genius. Optimized recycling time (approx. 0.1 to 3.9 seconds) Quieter charging Easy storage soft case Powered using just 2 AA batteries Type Mode – E-TTL II, E-TTL Compatible Cameras – All Canon EOS cameras; PowerShot G-series cameras and select SX-series cameras Guide Number – 72 ft./22m (at ISO 100); flash head at 28mm zoom setting / 89 ft./27m (at ISO 100); flash head at 50mm zoom setting Recycling Time Normal flash – Approx. 0.1 to 3.9 seconds; Quick flash – 0.1 to 2.6 seconds (AA-size Alkaline Batteries) Flash Range (At ISO 100, with EF 50mm f/1.4) – For normal (28mm) – 2.3-51.5 ft./0.7-15.7m; For tele end (50mm) – 2.3-63.3 ft./0.7-19.3m; For high sync speed (at 1/250 second) – Approx. 2.3-24.9 ft./0.7-7.6m AF Assist Beam – Intermittent flash firing system Power Source – Two AA-size/LR6 Alkaline Batteries Unit Dimensions – 2.5 x 2.6 x 3.0 in./64 x 65 x 76.5mm; Weight – 5.1 oz./145g (without batteries)

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Perfect for the Powershot G series cameras
I bought the 270EX for my Powershot G10, simply because the thought and usability of putting my 580EX II on a “point and shoot” camera is quite comical. The flash on the Powershot G10 isn’t that bad, but I’ve got a Lensmate with a UV filter and the G10’s onboard flash is effectively cut down and makes shadows because of the barrel of the Lensmate.

The decision came down to the 220EX and the 270EX. The 270EX’s ability to bounce the flash towards the ceiling so I am not blinding my subjects is pretty nice. It also puts distance between the Lensmate, so I can have a “mini-SLR” rig instead of the full 5D Mark II and accessories. And the price difference was negligible.

Like anything, there’s a tradeoff. Smaller flash units means less power, and thus less distance. Instead of the LCD I’m used to on my 580EX II, I’ve got to control everything from the camera’s LCD, which is no real big deal. But since it’s smaller, I’m more likely to carry it than not in a jacket pocket.

If you’ve got a Powershot G series camera, you might want to consider this flash. It’s worked fine for me, and would probably even work if you had one of the Digital Rebel series instead of the 430EX II. But like anything photography related, you get what you pay for BUT the more you spend, the more time it takes to adequately learn it.

4 Stars simple to use
I’m a real novice, but I was easily able to figure out how to use this flash – and they do, of course, include instructions that I skimmed over. This is the only one I’ve ever used, so I’m not able to compare it to any others. I do like that I can change it’s position to bounce off the ceiling, instead of a straight on flash.

5 Stars Nifty little flash
It is what it is… a simple, no-brainer flash. No serious settings to adjust, no serious factors to consider, a straight forward way to add more light into your pictures. If you want, you can make a few manual flash adjustments on the camera itself. Great bang for the buck.

I really like using it on my G10.

1 Star Two Major Glitches
This is a nice little convenient flash to carry when you cannot or do not want to carry a larger flash. It weighs almost exactly half of the 420EX or 430EX and balances very nicely on a 40D camera. I bought the 270ex with the intention to use it for fill flash on my 30D and 40D cameras.

HOWEVER, it is not good for my purposes because…

The flash is touted to cover the view of a 28mm lens on a 1.6x camera. This should allow it to be used with the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens at 17 or 18mm (which is equivalent to a 28mm lens on a full-frame camera)… You get a shadow at the bottom of the frame when using that lens at less than about 24mm with an attached lens hood. Sure, bouncing would correct that but, it the unit cannot be adjusted right to left so you cannot bounce it at 24mm or below with the camera in the vertical position. Also, you could remove the hood to alleviate the shadow problem but, I don’t want to be removing and replacing the hood frequently.

The flash cannot be controlled on a camera earlier than the 40D, despite the instruction book saying that the 270ex is compatible with “E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash EOS cameras” In other words, you cannot reduce the power of the flash or select 1st curtain, 2nd curtain or Hi Speed Sync on a camera like a 30D.

Neither of the above problems was noted in any review of this unit, nor in the instruction manual.

My final grade for this flash would be 3-stars (because it can only tilt and cannot swivel) for 40D cameras and later and 1-star for cameras earlier than the 40D.

4 Stars Good Value For An Add On Flash
I needed to get more flash than was produced by the stock flash on my Canon EOS Rebel. I did not want a large, heavy (4 or more batteries), mounted on the camera.

This unit solved the problem! It only uses 2-AA batteries and makes a big flash for a smaller unit. I’m a realtor and it fills the room for color rich pictures.

I love the bounce feature and find I’m using it whenever I have a white ceiling in a room. I’m not a photo artist but this Speedlite in combination with my 10 to 20 wide angle lense has helped me to produce wonderful listing photos. I love the compliments from the other agents in my office!

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Canon ET65III Lens Hood for Canon SLR Lens

A lens hood is one of the most important accessories for each lens you own. A lens hood provides multiple functions: it shades the lens from stray light, improving your contrast and image quality; in inclement weather, it can assist in keeping moisture or wind-blown debris off the lens; and it protects the front barrel from the inevitable impacts against walls, door frames, and other real-life obstacles.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Better than I expected
This hood is easy for me to use. With the hood attached on my 85/1.8 lens, I can easily get on or off the lens cap. It’s not that bad as someone put on their negative comments. I am a woman and my finger size is normal. It might be a different experience for someone with quite big hands.

4 Stars Does the job
There’s not much to say. The hood does its job. It’s easy to mount/unmount and can be mounted in reverse.

2 Stars Lousy Hood
Lousy hood. It is difficult to insert and remove. It does not stay on well. It, does the job when it comes to cutting out glare.

3 Stars Not that secure
The product works as advertised. But the design of the lens and the hood attachment is not the most secure. My other lens hoods screws on to the lens. This is attached through 4 prongs that attaches to a thin grove on the lens. With any force, the hood can pop out so may to serve to protect the lens when dropped.

5 Stars Very Happy
Great hood does what its supposed to do, cut flare and protect lense. It’s not a screw on, but latches fairly easy and is sturdy when latched on. Since it latches on it does spin around the lense, but its nothing to complain about, it still feels very sturdy when on. Overall very happy with the purchase.

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B W 77mm UVA Ultra Violet Haze MRC Filter 010

The Schneider-Group is a worldwide market leader in high-quality lenses for industrial applications, photographic lenses, filters, cinema projection lenses and optical accessories.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Excellent
Purchased this after reading many good reviews – and they were all correct. This is an excellent filter, and the B+W product quality is exceptional.

5 Stars Great Filter
If you are going to spend a lot of money purchasing a good lens why not protect it with a great lens filter. I am really happy with this choice of filter and I would purchase another one when I need another filter.

5 Stars Huge difference from cheaper filters
I used to purchase $30 filters for my lens thinking how could the more expensive filters be that much better. I was wrong. There is a noticeable difference in the quality and picture quality when using these filters. I am not a professional photographer but I did buy 2 “L” series lenses for my Canon 50D and used these filters on them. Highly recommended

5 Stars As decribed, on time
Arrived on time (as compared to the estimated arrival date), good price, arrived as described.

4 Stars Quality Product but not sure if it’s needed
I purchased this product as a newbie. I read quite a few reviews and discussions as to whether or not it’s needed. I keep it on my 17-55 lens most of the time for protection sake. I honestly can’t say that I notice any difference when it’s on or off. It is a bit of a hassle taking it off (unscrewing it) and replacing it with another filter. It’s not something that happens instantly, so hopefully there’s no hurry when you’re making the change. Someday I’ll have to compare some pics with it on and off to see if there is any difference in sharpness, etc.

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Canon 2950B001 CL 221 Ink Tank Gray

For long lasting, beautiful photos and documents. Improve coloring, color gamut and color fastnessFINE (Full Photolithographic Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology for exceptional sharpness and detail

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Keep spares on hand, you’ll need them
As another reviewer noted, these cartridges are hard to find and not necessarily “bundled” with the others used by an MP-980 since the other printers those bundles work with don’t necessarily need this particular one. Amazon sells the real thing, not a generic knock-off. Good pricing too.

4 Stars In agreement with most other reviewers
Amazon does offer the lowest price on the Canon CLI ink cartridges. But the price for these inks, IMO, are still pretty high, especially considering the size of the cartridges. If MP980’s CLI and PGI ink costs decrease in the future (hopefully real soon!), then the rating would definitely increase to 5 stars.

Thank you Amazon reviewers for all your comments. Because I thoroughly reviewed these products (online and in-store) and the associated commentaries, I now know that it’s best to order these inks through Amazon (until some other seller offers lower pricing). I will also be sure to keep extra inks on hand;so I never have to experience down-time with my MP980.

I love the Canon PIXMA MP980, and knew beforehand what to expect as far as print quality and associated costs. So I have no complaints about the printer itself (other than its costly inks). But, I do think one gets what they pay for, and I do tend to go for better quality items.

Thank you Amazon and Amazon Reviewers.

5 Stars Valuable information
I was able to disable the ink monitoring system by holding the stop button on my MP980 for about five seconds. I have done this only for the gray and only to print until I get a new cartridge. It appears by my testing that this system is re enabled by installing a new cartridge or removing and reinstalling the old one. This is explained in the online manual that came with the MP980 although it is buried. Tim

5 Stars Excellent Transaction
I received the printer ink before expected and it was packaged well, incurring no damages and the price was very competitive. I couldn’t have experienced a better transaction. I’d have no reluctance in doing business with this seller or making a purchase with this seller in the future.

1 Star Canon 2950B001 CL-221 Ink Tank (Gray)
Amazon shows this product Canon 2950B001 CL-221 Ink Tank (Gray) works with the Cannon Pixma MP620 printer but Cannon says it ONLY works with the MP980 printer. So, beware before you purchase this item for any printer other than the MP980 printer!

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3 year Camera Warranty Rated A by BBB 5 day Service Guarantee Cameras Camcorders 300 350

SquareTrade Care Plans are great value and cost on average 10-15% of the item price for 3 years of coverage. That is 40% lower on average than traditional warranties.