flash for 10d

[ifurlong]

I am looking for a flash for my 10d,
1)what do you think of the canon 550 for gen. use

2)what about a 3rd party flash?

3)for macro, the canon twin 24ex

thanks, Ian.

[Littlebike]

I have a 550ex and love it. For a main flash I say buy the big gun and be done with it.

Sigma does make two flashes that are completely compatible with the 10d but, if Canon changes a flash protocol like they do with lenses, then you may have a flash that does not work properly when you upgrade to a Canon 1xD.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/html/flashes.htm

The nice thing about the sigma flashes are you get all the power of a 550ex at nearly half the price, additionally, they are completely compliant with the Canon infrared protocols.

With all this said, I have a 550ex that I love but all my other flashes are going to be Sigmas used as slaves to the 550ex or St-e2 if I ever get one.

[barnold999]

I too have the 550ex and I LOVE it... if one could marry a flash, I would do that... but... it isnt legal... at least where I live :-)

[RichardtheSane]

Go for the 550EX as a good starter. Highly recommended cos it gives great results every time!

[scottbergerphoto]

If you plan on doing weddings and other indoor events using more then one camera system (Nikon, Canon, etc), you might consider the Quantum Q Flash T2Digital. With a dedicated cable you have all the same metering options as a Canon flash. I use this flash for Nikon and Canon cameras including my 10D. It's very versatile: bare bulb, diffused, angled, etc. It uses an external battery pack so that recycle time is negligible shot after shot.

http://www.qtm.com/flash/digital_qflash.html

[Schroder]

I use the 550ex and think it works great with the 10D! Go for it!

[jasonco]

I have just ordered a Speedlite 550EX and am waiting for it in the mail.

My old camera (Sony 707) had an external flash, but too close and it used to over expose the subject, too far and it was too dark.. BUT not all the time. Made it really hard ot judge.

Does the Canon Speedlite 550ex overcome these problems?

Also I tried a couple of Sunpak flashes on the camera and they were not 100% compatable. For my money I wouldnt buy anything else except Canon.

Cheers
Jason

[nucki]

what about 420EX? I'm currently looking for a flash in a good price range...

who has experience with 420EX?

regards
Peter

[rgibbons]

The only problem I have with the 550EX is that it still relies on pre-flash or careful attention to the tone under the center focus point.

For point and shoot at weddings, it can be a real bear. A good auto flash works better, but they can be hard to find.

I tried Quantum Qflash - hated the auto system, never tried the ETTL.

I used the Sunpak AF5000 which is a highly consistant auto flash, but no ETTL and no locking pin which makes easy to come loose and loose your settings.

I am trying out the Metz 54MZ-3 which has both ETTL and Auto.

[Vegas Poboy]

I use the 420ex and is very happy with it but you can control your lighting alot better with the 550. If you ever have to do any flash adjustments with the 420 it has to be done within the camera itself. Next purchase for me is the 550 and then the ST-E2 to complete my portable lighting sytem. Overall go high end and you'll have no regrets.

[danphoto1]

I have both the 550 ex and the 420 they both work well but you have th be careful with flash I use a bounce attachment made by I believe stofen. remember that digital is more sensitive to light than film so you have to be very particular about flash. you have more control with the 550 but it is more powerful. again it depends on the conditions that you are working under and the subjects that you are shooting. Get a flash extender so that the flash is raised above thwhere it woul normally fit on the hot shoe.
this will get rid of almost all of your redeye problems with out using the stupid feature in the camera that dialates everyons pupils in the photo and wastes precious battery life. the 420 will recycle a bit faster that the 550 because it doesn't use as much battery power. You need recycle for the nest shot as quickly as possible if you are shooting a wedding or some other event where things aer in a real time sequence

[jasonco]

I got my 550EX a couple of days ago and have taken about 50 shots. So far EVERY shot has come out great. Every single one. So to say the least, im VERY happy with it!!!

The only downside is the flash recycle time. Thats a bit long.

Cheers
Jason