Canon speedlite 470ex ai flash review năm 2024

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I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.

Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories

Canon

If you don't understand bounce flash, you're in good company. Most of the folks I see shooting around New York don't seem to understand flash photography at all, much less the benefits of bounce and how to do it right.

Canon wants to make flash more approachable, starting with the biggest problems. It wants you to be able to easily use it without creating ugly hotspots, harsh shadows or uneven exposures. You know, the main reasons people don't like to use a flash.

Bouncing flash simply means reflecting the light off a nearby surface, which (depending upon the surface texture) diffuses it so it falls more evenly and softly on the subject. Finding the right angle takes experience as well as trial and error, as well as manually rotating the head if you switch between vertical and horizontal.

The company's new SpeedLite 470EX-AI offers two modes: a full and a partial "autointelligent" Bounce mode. (No, in this case "AI" doesn't stand for "artificial intelligence.") In full AI Bounce mode, a sensor in the flash measures the distance to the ceiling and the distance to the subject, calculates the optimal angle and automatically rotates the head to an appropriate angle. You can force it to recalculate when you move by double tapping the shutter button.

It's really cool.

The 470EX-AI automatically finds the optimal angle to reflect off the ceiling and rotates.

Lori Grunin/CNET

It has some limitations, though. For instance, you can't bounce off a wall. That's where semi-AI mode comes in: If you know what you're doing, you can set the bounce angle and target manually. Then, as you move the camera around and rotate it, the flash head automatically adjusts to maintain the angle and bounce target you set.

That is amazingly cool.

Why would partial AI Bounce be better than full? Because of the intended vs. the likely owner of the unit. It's big -- almost as big and heavy as the pro Speedlite 600EX II-RT. So right there you've narrowed the potential market to people who are willing to schlep it, and who have a camera big enough to comfortably counterbalance it.

Then there's the price: when it ships in April, it will cost $400 (roughly £285 or AU$510). That's a lot of money for a consumer, and possibly even for a casual prosumer, especially for a unit with a not-inconsiderable schlep factor. In terms of power, its maximum 47GN falls between the Canon 430EX models (max GN43) and the 600EX models (max 60GN). The 430EX II costs $100 less.

On top of all that, the 470EX-AI still looks as intimidating as any other pro-level flash.

If you shoot regularly and own a prosumer Canon DSLR like the 80D, it's not that much of a stretch. Once you've figured out how the whole bounce thing works, the automation that's helpful when you're starting out can become more of a hindrance. But being able to set the target and angle and forget it frees up a hand -- not having to release the camera to change the angle and rotate keeps it much steadier. (I photograph cats for adoption, which requires every free hand I have to keep them from leaping out of the cage to freedom.)

It also doesn't measure the color of the surface it's bouncing off, so being able to manually target it reduces the potential for color casts.

Even if you don't own a Canon, you can probably make it work with another brand. You might have to manually set the exposure parameters because of incompatible signals, but as far as I can tell, none of the information related to the bounce system comes from the camera. It's all in the flash.

I also have to admit, it was nice to see something wow-worthy from Canon. After spending so long playing catch-up over the past few years, the 470EX-AI shows a welcome spark of useful innovation.

Before we get into this review of the Canon 470EX-AI speedlite (B&H / Amazon), I need to mention that I wanted this review video to be more than just a listing of the features of this flash. We therefore also delve into bounce flash technique. So there is something here even for those photographers who don’t shoot Canon, or have no real interest in getting this flash. So please do check the video out.

I was really curious to get to play with the Canon 470EX-AI speedlite (B&H / Amazon) for a review, and see just how well it works. If you’ve been following the Tangents blog, you will know the topic of bounce flash photography comes up often. It is an uncomplicated way to get really good light indoors, with the least effort. However, you need to be specific with your technique to get the best results. This topic is also thoroughly discussed in my books, On-Camera Flash, and Direction & Quality of Light.

What makes this flash unique, is the ‘AI’ portion – Artificial Intelligence. The flash has the capability to figure out what it thinks is the best bounce angle, or at the very least, automate the change in position in the flash head as you rotate your camera between vertical and horizontal orientation. The video explains much of that, with with practical examples where I photographed a model, Anastasiya, in the studio.

Does the 470EX-AI’s intelligent bounce feature work?

Does the 470EX-AI’s intelligent bounce feature work? Kinda … I was prepared to be quite cynical about this flash, but it does implement the AI feature in a way that can be useful. Ultimately though, a photographer that is aware of the direction they want the light to come from, will always outsmart this flash.

The Canon 470EX-AI has 2 modes in how it handles the Intelligent bounce feature: S – Semi – available for all Canon cameras, where the flash can swivel the head for you to keep the same angle, as you flip your camera from horizontal to vertical position. F – Full – available on the most recent Canon cameras, where the flash sends out two pre-flashes to determine subject distance and ceiling height.

• Check out to the compatibility chart to see how your camera interfaces with the Canon 470EX-AI.

The Semi mode will be useful for photographers who change the camera’s orientation often when they bounce flash. The Semi AI feature handles that very well (with the occasional mis-match, as seen in the video.)

Corrections to the video: 1.) At some point I misspoke in the video – I called it ‘Simple’ mode when the S really is for ‘Semi’. 2.) Where I mentioned the flash is ‘too high’, I meant the flash’s bounce angle is too high. The angle should have been lower, so that the light comes in at an angle where the eyes are better lit.

Summary

As I noted in the video review, I was pleasantly surprised by the Canon 470EX-AI (B&H / Amazon). While the ‘Full AI’ setting has marginal usefulness in my opinion, the ‘Semi AI’ setting does make it easier to rotate the camera between vertical and horizontal orientations.

I would suggest the Canon 470EX for any Canon shooter that wants to move up from using the built-in pop-up flash to something more serious. This flash will help with that transition and help give much more pleasant light than hard, direct flash.

For professional use, I would strongly suggest something more powerful – the Canon 600EX II (B&H / Amazon)

The 470EX doesn’t have as much power as the 600EX flash, and this becomes an issue when you are bouncing in larger areas or need a smaller aperture. Another advantage the 600EX has over the 470EX … the 470EX an only be used as a slave flash, and then only as an optical slave. There is no radio capability.

So here we have a really sweet flash, the Canon 470EX-AI (B&H / Amazon). But for a slightly bigger investment, the Canon 600EX II (B&H / Amazon) makes a lot more sense.

Related articles

• Bouncing your flash
• Tutorial: Bounce flash photography
• Black Foamie Thing
• book: On-Camera Flash
• book: Direction & Quality of Light
• For more videos, follow me on Vimeo / YouTube

On-Camera Flash Photography – revised edition

This book is explains a cohesive and thorough approach to getting the best from your on-camera speedlight.

Particular care was taken to present it all with a logical flow that will help any photographer attain a better understanding of flash photography.

You can either purchase a copy via Amazon USA and Amazon UK, or can be ordered through Barnes & Nobles and other bookstores. The book is also available on the Apple iBook Store, as well as Amazon Kindle. Also check out the Amazon Kindle store.

Is the Canon Speedlite 470EX

The Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI is compatible with all Canon cameras introduced since 2014, except the Canon EOS 1300D, Canon EOS 2000D, Canon EOS 4000D, Canon EOS M3, Canon EOS M5, Canon EOS M6 and Canon EOS M50. To find out more about the Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI, visit the product page.

Can the Canon 470EX

For wireless flash, the 470EX-AI offers optical-type wireless E-TTL only — no radio compatibility. And, it can only be used off-camera as a wireless Receiver flash… it cannot be used on-camera as a Sender unit, to trigger any off-camera Receiver Speedlites.

What is the best Speedlite?

Here, we suggest some of the best Speedlite options to consider..

For high performance and action: Canon Speedlite EL-1..

For creative portraiture, weddings and events: Canon Speedlite EL-5..

For everyday photography: Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT..

For flash beginners: Canon Speedlite EL-100..