What flash should I buy

[song4themoon]

Even though I like to shoot without flash I am realizing that if I do need flash then mine are just not good enough. So I am going to buy a new flash.

In my portrait photography I use studio lighting, so I will only need this flash on weddings. Based on that, what should I get.

In the last Shuttebug magazine I saw ringflashes.. are those any good?

Any recommendation is greatly appreciated!

[tim]

580EX, no question. It's the most powerful, most efficient, easiest to use flash for Canon. The single button head rotate is great, the biggest advantage over the 550EX. High voltage port and CP-E3 are a great help for a portable studio (though you need another 550/580 as wireless master).

[song4themoon]

Whew.. is that right, almost $400 for that flash? Thats quite a lot.. I was expecting half of that.. whew!

[song4themoon]

Is this replacement any good or should I stay away from something like that?

http://cgi.ebay.com/REPLACEMENT-PRO-POWER-ZOOM-FLASH-FOR-THE-CANON-580EX_W0QQitemZ7617503829QQcategoryZ107931QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

[tim]

You get what you pay for... although the 580EX could be said to be overpriced you're unlikely to get anything comparable for $139. I would stick with Canon units myself for the wireless ETTL (which is great), though Metz pro units are good too.

[NGrinerPhoto]

i have a canon 550ex for sale if interested. it's the next best thing to a 580ex.

[song4themoon]

thanks for the offer, I just purchased the 580ex a few minutes ago :)

[EOS_JD]

The Sigma EF 500DG Super is a great flash for a lot less money. Exposures are consistentand I'm happy to have the confidence to use mine when required.

It's like a 550EX but a lot cheaper. Plenty of power too. Only downside is the build quality could be better. It's not close to the Canon's.

JD

[bpuppy]

580EX ... or 2 are even better.

[J.T.]

580 definetily rocks, just bought mine a few weeks ago and I love it , grabbed a 430 and a st-e2 after i bought that ..lol. Little bit o money but well worth it imo. So you know what I reccomend... hehe:)
You will love the 580

[R. Lawrence]

I have both the 580 and 550. I use the 580 as my primary and the 550 as my backup. Every once in a while I'll play around with my 550, then I realize how much better I like the 580!

Bob

[picturecrazy]

580 is the only way to go. If you want a second flash to get more creative with your lighting, then a 430 will do the job. I'm running a 580 and two 430's and you can do a lot with that combo...

[daclozer]

several people that I know bought aftermarket flashes and had nothing but problems with them on their Canon DSLR's. The most important aspect of photography is light, the 580EX is definitely worth every penny...

[DocFrankenstein]

580EX, no question. It's the most powerful, most efficient, easiest to use flash for Canon. The single button head rotate is great, the biggest advantage over the 550EX.
tim - maybe it's my science background, but I get very antagonistic when somebody states inarguably as to what "the best" is.

580 isn't the best, but it's a good flash obviously.

A lot of photojournalists use Quantum flashes:
They are reported to be more consistent and the interface is very user friendly IMO
Are platform independent
The reflector can be removed and used as bare bulb
The reflector is a true parabolic one
You can use a snoot or a grid with it
You can fire it more often and it takes it, while canons overheat.

In comparison, the 580 is lacking.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=398528&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
You also need a battery, a canon adapter and a cable. Sold as a package they are about a grand.

You get what you pay for.

[tim]

The 580EX is the best Canon flash... I agree it has some serious drawbacks, but unless you're a serious working pro the quantum probably isn't worthwhile. Not having wireless ETTL is also a drawback, I find that really handy. The Metz units are another good option, i'm told, but also without wireless ettl.

[liza]

I purchased the 580EX a couple of months ago and have been very pleased with it. It may be $400, but it was money well spent.

[Wilt]

<< Not having wireless ETTL is also a drawback, I find that really handy. The Metz units are another good option, i'm told, but also without wireless ettl.>>

To be correct, "Metz...without wireless compatibility to Canon wireless, but they are compatible with Metz wireless"

A further benefit of Metz is that simply by changing the module foot on the flash, you can make the flash compatible with a different brand of camera, so it becomes compatible with other cameras you may own now or in the future...which the Canon flash absolutely is unable to do!

[tim]

Wilt, can you give us a little more info on the Metz wireless system? Is it a simple optical slave system?

[Wilt]

Tim, I don't use the Bogen wireless system, but got this info from the website www.bogenimaging.us
SCA 3083 DIGITAL SLAVE ADAPTER / Cat. No: MZ 53083

Slave unit for "TTL" or "A" cordless control.
The SCA 3083 digital slave adapter is a small multi-talented device. All current SCA-compatible metz models (of the SCA 3002 and SCA 3000 system and hand held flash units of the SCA 300 adapter system in conjunction with cable SCA 3000C) can be used for off-camera flash photography. The SCA 3083 can even be combined with cameras having no flash connecting facility - irrespective of whether they are analog or digital models. (Also see 34 CS-2 digital). Sole precondition: They must feature a built-in flash.

The slave trigger function, in particular, provides for individual creativity with specific light effects. The "SCA 3083 digital" enables the user to select any of the slave modes 1, 2 or 3, depending on the given camera. Moreover, cordless TTL flash control is possible.

1. Slave trigger function without preflash suppression:
In conjunction with the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter, all current models of the SCA 3002, SCA 3000 and SCA 300 adapter system can be used, the latter in interaction with handle-mount flashguns plus an SCA 3000C connecting cable. The given Metz flash is then operated as a slave flash unit in automatic or manual flash mode. It is triggered by any light pulse from any flash unit on the camera (be it integrated or external).


2. Slave trigger function with preflash suppression:
In conjunction with the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter, all current models of the SCA 3002, SCA 3000 and SCA 300 adapter system can be used, the latter in interaction with handle-mount flashguns plus an SCA 3000C connecting cable. The given Metz flash is then operated as a slave flash unit in automatic or manual flash mode. It is triggered by the main flash from any flash unit on the camera, be it integrated or external. Preflashes are ignored.

3. Slave trigger function with extended preflash suppression:
Functions 2 and 3 were developed for digital cameras without a flash connecting facility whose preflash function cannot be suppressed. Depending on the given camera model, the preflash is ignored by the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter.

4. Cordless flash:
Especially convenient as a result of the pratice-proven cordless TTL or automatic flash control (Metz Remote System)

In this instance, no settings are required on the flash units that are being used. A controller flash unit on the camera (e.g. 54 MZ-3, 70 MZ-5, 70 MZ-4) triggers cordless one or more external slaves (e.g. 54 MZ-3, 70 MZ-5, 70 MZ-4). With this form of off-camera flash a kind of light mediator has to be interposed. This function is fullfilled by the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter which evaluates the signals from the controller for the slave. The slave is then fired at the right moment and with the precise amount of light.

[PIXI_666]

I only have the 580ex, i have tried nothing else but that so im not much help, BUT in saying that it's the best flash out there and i have had no complaints with it yet. I use natural light as much as i can, but for fill and inside shots (Where natural light isn't possible) it's served me well :)

Del

[NGrinerPhoto]

i'm quite happy with my quantum q-flashes