Newbie wanting info on flash

[barrettd]

I have searched this section high and low and have not been able to find the answer to my simple newbie question....

I would like to add an external shoe mount flash to my dRebel and I'm not sure which way to go.... Let me quantify by saying two things: I am poor and my husband is a graduate student (which means i'm likely to always be poor:) ) I don't want to spend an arm and leg (i might really have to give them up) but I don't want total crap. Something for now that's good enough for my new-photo self. I was looking at the Canon 420/430EX or something in the Sunpac range. Anyone with info? I've spent all of my work day on the net and I'm sure my coworkers are sick of me :)

thanks so much
deana

[tim]

2nd hand 420EX.

[Snapman]

A used 420EX or, if you can scrape the extra yard, a used 550EX which will afford you the use of Flash Exposure Contron (FEC) on your 300D :)

[DayHawk]

i am allso looking for a good flash, i have abit more money to spend but i don't know if i should save my money and get a 420EX and a tripod at the same time or be a big spender and get the 580EX instead, any suggestions for me? is the 580EX worth the money compared to the 420EX?

Regards

Nick D. Pedersen

[jesusdelallata]

420 EX is a good flash for under $175. However, the 430EX just came down in price to around $260 (of course right after I bought mine). I have both. For me, the 430EX is a much better flash because it adjusts to the digital SLR's 1.6 crop. Both are great.

[tim]

All a flash does is put out a short, intense burst of light, they all do that fine. With the 580/430 it's a little easier to rotate the flash head for bounce or other things, and they're a general improvement, but any flash will do the job.

[mgbeach]

go for the 420ex, and then do a Google search for "digital rebel hacked firmware". Install that and it will give you FEC for free.

[a521]

All a flash does is put out a short, intense burst of light, they all do that fine. With the 580/430 it's a little easier to rotate the flash head for bounce or other things, and they're a general improvement, but any flash will do the job.

I don't have much money to spend on a flash and I have been told the same thing that you are saying here. I understand that by spending much less than a canon cost I will be giving up features, but for the money is this a decent flash:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=293955&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[tim]

That's a fully manual flash like the old timers used, it'd take a lot more effort and knowledge than an EX series speedlite. Get a 2nd hand 420EX if you want automatic modes.

[robertwgross]

That's a fully manual flash like the old timers used, it'd take a lot more effort and knowledge than an EX series speedlite. Get a 2nd hand 420EX if you want automatic modes.

Be careful, there, you young whippersnapper!

Back in the old days, we used flash powder.

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

Back when I was first getting into photography, the 580EX wasn't even released yet, we had to make do with the lousy old 550EX...

[mgbeach]

Be careful, there, you young whippersnapper!

Back in the old days, we used flash powder.

---Bob Gross---
You were ninjas?! Wow, respect level just went through the roof.

[akiwi]

Another option which gives you more control are the Sigma flashes. They are cheaper than the Canons & give good results (So I've heard, I have a Canon) If budget is tight, and you are not a Name snob, they are definitly worth looking at. 2nd hand might also save some $$

[tucked]

I use Sigma ef-500 dg super.. no problems. Less than $200.