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12/06/2006 10:39:11 AM · #1 |
| I would like to buy a flash for my camera but I don't know anything about good and bad ones. I have a Canon Rebel XT. Does anyone have suggestions for a starter flash? |
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12/06/2006 10:41:45 AM · #2 |
Canon 430ex Speedlight will work best with your camera. Not cheap, but a flash that will serve you well for a long time.
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12/06/2006 10:41:56 AM · #3 |
For starters, I bought a used manual Metz for 20€ from a friend. I've been fiddling around with that one for a year and now I'm going for the 580EX. If you want to stick with genuine Canon gear, you may want to have a look at the 430EX, it seems good enough for most situations.
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12/06/2006 10:51:17 AM · #4 |
430ex works awesome... and when you want to upgrade to the grand-daddy of flashes (580ex) you can still use your 430ex as a slave. No money wasted!
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12/06/2006 11:28:25 AM · #5 |
If you are lookig to save money, you can get a used 420EX for ~$120 on ebay. That will give you E-TTL and the 420EX is a great flash unit. It's also capable of being used as a slave should you later decide to upgrade.
If you want new, then the 430EX is OK, but don't fail to consider the Sigma DG Super. The Sigma has most, if not all, of the features of the 580EX for about the same cost as the 430EX. |
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12/06/2006 11:32:58 AM · #6 |
Do consider though that the 420EX would tie you in totally to using TTL and full auto exposure (with compensation). It very quickly becomes a pain, if you want to do creative lighting. TTL is great and all, but it isn't the only way to go.
It depends what you want to use the flash for - if it is all going to be attached to the camera, in auto mode, for fill flash, the 420 is a great, if somewhat limiting option.
You can get a full manual flash and some remote triggers for about $80 and do a whole lot more, but you do have to think about it more carefully when using it.
The 430EX looks like a good choice though. (Edited because I thought the 430 was as limited as the 420 for manual options)
Message edited by author 2006-12-06 12:27:34.
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12/06/2006 11:33:20 AM · #7 |
Just what the others have said - get the 430EX. I also bought those cheap radio triggers from Gadget Infinity. You have to modify them to work with the 430EX, but they tell you how and once that is done they are awesome. Using them requires you to use the flash in manual mode, but what better way to learn that having to figure out and set everything yourself. The bonus is you can move the flash off camera and use umbrellas and softboxes to really improve the lighting.
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12/06/2006 11:41:06 AM · #8 |
| i agree with the rest of them...the 430ex. i have it and so far haven't had any trouble with it. works great. i think you will be pleased if you get it. |
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12/06/2006 11:45:41 AM · #9 |
420ex does everything you need but the re-fresh rate is a little slow and you may miss the flash if you are shooting fast.
430ex with strong batteries re-freshs faster then you can shoot and comes with a built in difuser. It also allows you to turn up or down the flash intensity. I'd highly reccomend it over the 420 considering it's about $230.
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12/06/2006 11:58:31 AM · #10 |
Once you have exausted the usefullness of the on board flash, there are usually two gripes, it is either not powerfull enough, or it isn't flexible enough. If your reason to look for a flash is the former, then the 430 is a nice chioce, at $240. If you want more controll and features, then not so much.
In an ideal world we could all buy the best toys, and the 580 is that well built and very flexible flash at $370, but since I couldn't justify spending that much I went with the Sigma 500 DG ST at $150. It is a reverse engineered version of the 550,It is big, and not as well built as the Canons, has a clugey interface, but it is feature rich and has a big bang (or flash) for the buck.
Message edited by author 2006-12-06 11:59:41. |
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12/06/2006 12:02:18 PM · #11 |
yep this is a fantastic flash(Sigma 500 DG ST). as good as the 580 for half the price
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Once you have exausted the usefullness of the on board flash, there are usually two gripes, it is either not powerfull enough, or it isn't flexible enough. If your reason to look for a flash is the former, then the 430 is a nice chioce, at $240. If you want more controll and features, then not so much.
In an ideal world we could all buy the best toys, and the 580 is that well built and very flexible flash at $370, but since I couldn't justify spending that much I went with the Sigma 500 DG ST at $150. It is a reverse engineered version of the 550,It is big, and not as well built as the Canons, has a clugey interface, but it is feature rich and has a big bang (or flash) for the buck. |
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12/06/2006 12:27:07 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by alexsaberi:
yep this is a fantastic flash(Sigma 500 DG ST). as good as the 580 for half the price
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Once you have exausted the usefullness of the on board flash, there are usually two gripes, it is either not powerfull enough, or it isn't flexible enough. If your reason to look for a flash is the former, then the 430 is a nice chioce, at $240. If you want more controll and features, then not so much.
In an ideal world we could all buy the best toys, and the 580 is that well built and very flexible flash at $370, but since I couldn't justify spending that much I went with the Sigma 500 DG ST at $150. It is a reverse engineered version of the 550,It is big, and not as well built as the Canons, has a clugey interface, but it is feature rich and has a big bang (or flash) for the buck. |
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Yep. What they said. Can't beat the Sigma for half the price of Canon
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12/06/2006 01:52:42 PM · #13 |
| How much do you want to spend? The 430ex is a good flash, but the 580EX is better. Check out the guide numbers--the 430ex is 43 meters, the 580ex is 58 meters. The 580 gives almost a full stop more light. |
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