How to diffuse the Canon 270EX II Speedlite
(Diffusers for the 270EXII)
Diffused 270EX IIWhy is it important to know how to diffuse the Canon 270EX II Speedlite?
It's simply because the on-camera flash, aimed directly at your subject is often not the best lighting to use.
Diffusing your light can separate the really attractive photograph form the average snapshot. An external flash is a camera accessory that is definitely valuable for situations where extra lighting is needed.
Learn a few simple techniques to avoid the shortcomings of using the standard flash aimed directly at your subject and you will feel better about the photos you take.
Snap-on 270EX II Diffusers
That diffusers that snap onto your flash head are by far the simplest accessory to use. Designed to spread the light out in many directions, snap-on diffusers for the 270 EX II are extremely small, lightweight and easy to carry anywhere.
They are made of a translucent plastic, are very affordable, and don;t require a lot of know-how to use successfully. Like other light modifiers they will reduce the amount of light hitting your subject somewhat.
Your camera can compensate exposure by using a bigger aperture or you can adjust your camera to a higher ISO setting.
Bounce Your 270EX II
Bounce the light against a larger surface.
That large surface scatters the light. Walls and ceilings are best.
The 270EX II flash head has 4 bounce positions.
Open up an f-stop or two or change to a higher ISO setting. Here's the complete post on bouncing your 270EX.
Attach a Reflector to Your 270EX II Speedlite
The 270EX II has the least amount of clip-on reflector type of accessory options, compared to a regular-sized Canon Speedlites that have the standard-sized flash heads.
See the photo on the right. This is what I do when I want to use a little flash-mounted bounce light. I attach a rubber band around the 270EX II head and slide in a white card.
This gives you a combination of reflected light from the white card hitting your subject and mixes it with light that bounces off of the ceiling. The size of the card and the angle you set your flash head will change the ratio between the two.
Disadvantages of using a 270EX II Flash
1. COLOR TEMPERATURE won't match the existing ambient light. Flash guns and speedlites emit a slightly "cooler" blue light than direct sunlight and other frequently encountered light sources.
The color temperature of flashguns like the 270EX II are usually between 5000 to 6000k. For many photographers, this is really no big deal. I wanted to mention it so you can at least be aware of it.
As a solution, you can employ the use of a warming filter in front of the 270EX's lens to create a better match between light sources if you really need an exact match.
2. FLAT LIGHTING. When most of the light is coming from the direction of the camera, shaped surfaces are less emphasized.
No Fill flash
High overhead light from cloud sky produces shadow areas and depth.With Fill Flash
Fill flash from 270EX is well exposed but "flattens" the lighting maybe too much3. CONTRASTY SHADOWS can be produced on nearby backgrounds or "underneath" areas when the flash is directly above the lens. This shows up more definitively when the flash is too strong or the only source of light.
4. RED-EYE REFLECTION. When the light is coming from a location very close to the lens (like the hot shoe), red-eye reflection is possible, particularly in darker shooting situations when the pupils of the eyes are dilated.
Knowing how to diffuse the Canon 270EX II Speedlite is a great way to eliminate the annoying and unflattering red-eye look.
There are also 270EX II Alternatives. As you can see by the diagram of the 270EX II, the controls are quite simple
And the front of the 270EX II is UN-cluttered too.
Once you get familiar with how to diffuse the Canon 270EX II Speedlite, you will appreciate it's size and value even more.
More Ideas on How to Diffuse the Canon 270ex II Speedlite
You can get some more ideas on various ways of diffusing light from external flashes simply by looking at some of the available accessories on a site like Amazon.
|
The highest rated bounce accessory for the 270EX II is the Omni-Bounce made by Stoffen. Click on the photo of the Omni-Bounce to read the reviews ------------>> |
  |
I hope you enjoyed this article called " How to diffuse the Canon 270EX II Speedlite." Keep shooting your Canon!
Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of Canon Camera Geek. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips website.
View some of Bruce's photos on Instagram and Flickr. Join the tribe of followers on YouTube. Bruce also runs photo workshops and provides 1 on 1 digital photography coaching.
You might like these
Canon Speedlite 270ex II Review and 270EX vs 270EX II Comparison
It's small, powerful enough, and saves you, the Canon Speedlite 270ex II. How it compares to the 270EX original
Speedlite 270EX II Video - How Canon's Speedlite FlashTilts and Zooms
Here is a Speedlite 270EX II video showing the bounce positions on this Canon flash
Canon 270EX II Accessories. Easily Improve Your Flash Lighting Fast
Rather than limit yourself to direct, harsh, flash on camera lighting try one of these Canon 270EX II Accessories
Canon Speedlite Comparison. Which Canon Flashgun is Right For You?
Which Canon flash should you choose. The Canon speedlite collection can satisfy the needs of every digital photographer
Canon Speedlite Portraits-How To Portrait Lighting With One Speedlite
How to guide: Speedlite portrait lighting. Simple Canon speedlite portraits tips to get great shots with you canon camera and speedlite flash
Best Canon Speedlites For Beginners. How To Pick The Right Canon Flash
So which Canon Speedlite would be right for you? Find out the best Canon Speedlites for beginners. This post will help you choose the right Canon flash for you.
Leave diffusing the Canon 270EX II Speedlite -Return HOME
More Flash Diffusion Techniques
Where to Get a Good Deal on a Canon 207EX II Speedlite
You can buy them in a ton of places and nowadays most places are competitive, thanks to price comparisons via the internet. Please consider visiting one of the vendors below. It helps me keep this Canon site going. I've had good luck with all three of them.
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from your purchase. There is no added cost to you.
KEH: WHERE I BUY CANON GEAR
"I've found that the condition of the used equipment from KEH is excellent and a whole lot cheaper than buying new" - Bruce, the Canon Camera Geek
You might like these
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2-Create Pro Lighting With Speedlites
If you need to remotely trigger a Canon Speedlite, one solution is to use a Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2. Simple controls, lightweight and has two channels
Beyond a Hot Shoe-Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT Wireless Wonder
Master the Art of Off-Camera Flash with the Canon ST-E3-RT. This Canon Speedlite Transmitter is a radio trigger and does NOT work all speedlites.
Best Canon Speedlite Accessory To Help Improve Your Flash Photography
You're searching for the Best Canon Speedlite Accessory for your Canon Speedlite. The most valuable gadget to add to you Canon 580EX II is an external battery.
Search for articles on this Site:
This page may contain affiliate links that pay me a small commission. There is no cost to you. Review the affiliate statement at the very bottom of this page if you want more information.
Snap-on Diffuser DomeSpeedlite 270EX II
It is a small flash gun and it's a great accessory for DSLRs and Point-N-Shoot cameras with a hot shoe.
Do-it-yourself light bouncerCanon 270EX II Flash