I just bought this flash and it is severely over exposing on my A2E in direct mode. In bounce, it seems to work just fine. I also works just fine in direct mode with my 5Dii. I thought the EOS flashes were back-compatible with the older EOS cameras?
It sounds like the A2E is a Type B camera, but it states that Type B cameras can be used with EX flashes in E-TTL mode. However, the Canon page for the 270EX II states that it is only compatible with Type A cameras. It is rather confusing, but apparently it's not going to work with my A2E (but with my EOS 3, fortunately).
The EOS 5/A2E, is not designed for the 270EXII flash. It was designed for the EOS3 and EOS 55 and later (all discontinued) models.
There is a risk of the flash damaging the circuitry in the EOS 5. Only the 540EZ flash works dedicated with the EOS 5/A2E.
Tony, the 540EZ is an excellent flash matched for the EOS 5/A2E and/or pro-level EOS bodies (EOS 1N, 1NHS).
It still commands a pretty price second hand.
The 300EZ flash you have bookmarked is powerful but does not have a tilting head, if this is, or could potentially, be of use to you? Second-curtain flash is also available with this, as is A-TTL and TTL. In short, it will be fine for the 5/A2E.
One thing I find quite interesting is that my 5D digital will fire my 540ez in TTL and most of the time expose correctly, if not overexpose a tad. I usually use them in full manual anyway. just picked up two 420ez's. They do the same thing. None of my newer digitals will fire them in TTL. And of course, all of my 35mm rigs will run them in A-TTL just fine, from my EOS 650 to my Rebel Ti.