Why should I not buy a 380EX?

[In2Photos]

I have been wanting a flash for a while now, but money is quite tight. I was originally planning on getting the 430EX, but then I noticed a 380EX for sale for much less than a new 430. I have no experience with an external flash but I plan to use it for the following:

1. Indoor lighting- My daughter is my subject most of the time. She is a year old and is all over the place, but our main playroom is our family room which has 15' ceilings so I don't know how well bouncing would work here. It would have to be direct so I would want a diffuser, right? Also my lens selection has me with a few lenses that don't focus so well indoors so I want something to assist with that.

2. Fill flash for outdoor shots- Again mostly my daughter and shots similar to these:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=78958&d=1147745998

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=78959&d=1147745998

I had to lighten up her eyes and the entire shot a bit. I don't think they turned out horrible, but they could be better.

3. Portraits- I am in the process of finishing my garage and would like to be able to use it for some studio stuff here and there. Right now I have a couple of those lovely Home Depot work lights and need to get some other stuff but would a flash help me here?

I might play around with some other types of shooting but these are my main types right now. Is there any reason to not buy the 380? Will its limitations hurt me at all? I know it will be better than the internal, but will I hate myself for not going with a 430 or even 550/580?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

[cosworth]

If you have no desire to do manual get one. I have one as my spare and I use it when weight is a consideration (it's light) and when I know I'll be doing E-TTL only.

[yenoram]

I had this flash at one time and, power aside, the biggest limitation for me was the inability to swivel to bounce for both portrait and landscape shots - the 380EX, if mounted on the camera can only swivel for landscape oriented shots (note I'm refering to the camera orientation here and not the taking of landscape pictures). This can be overcome by adding a flash bracket (which I would highly recommend regardless of the flash you use), however, for the extra $ I would opt for the 420EX which swivels in both directions albeit with the awkward push of two buttons. The price difference between a used 380EX and 420EX shouldn't be great.

[In2Photos]

I had this flash at one time and, power aside, the biggest limitation for me was the inability to swivel to bounce for both portrait and landscape shots - the 380EX, if mounted on the camera can only swivel for landscape oriented shots (note I'm refering to the camera orientation here and not the taking of landscape pictures). This can be overcome by adding a flash bracket (which I would highly recommend regardless of the flash you use), however, for the extra $ I would opt for the 420EX which swivels in both directions albeit with the awkward push of two buttons. The price difference between a used 380EX and 420EX shouldn't be great.

This is my biggest concern. Also in reading some info it appears that the 430EX is designed to know the difference between an APS-C and FF sensor and adjust accordingly. Why would this be a factor?

[Jim G]

If you're using a cropped sensor then the flash doesn't need to fire as wide - it can cover just the area that your sensor will "see" and thus save power.

[In2Photos]

If you're using a cropped sensor then the flash doesn't need to fire as wide - it can cover just the area that your sensor will "see" and thus save power.

So if using an older flash that does not compensate will I need to use any FEC since the distance I will be from my object will be greater than if using a FF camera?

[René Damkot]

No. It just means your flash is covering a larger erea then needed, thus wasting energy. The picture will come out fine. I would go for the 430 however, since, as stated the 380 won't swivel. YMMV. test (http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/380ex)

[steved110]

I have a 380EX from years back for my film camwera. It works fine on the 20D, you can set in-camera flash exposure comp FEC but the flash unit itself has no real controls, You can only bounce the flash towards the ceiloing, it does not tilt sideways, but I don't find this a major handicap. On full auto it usually works very well, and I almost never have top think about the settings. You do need to watch shutter speeds in Av, sometimes it will give you a long shutter speed which you may not want.
I find the E-TTL stuff works great and you can allow the camera to do its magic quite happily.
I am planning to get a 580EX as time goes by, but as I have no particular issues with the 380EX, its a low priority. I reckon for the money you will be very pleased.

[In2Photos]

No. It just means your flash is covering a larger erea then needed, thus wasting energy. The picture will come out fine. I would go for the 430 however, since, as stated the 380 won't swivel. YMMV. test (http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/380ex)

Thanks Rene. I had done a google search and found that review. It was one of my reasons for considering the 380.

I have a 380EX from years back for my film camwera. It works fine on the 20D, you can set in-camera flash exposure comp FEC but the flash unit itself has no real controls, You can only bounce the flash towards the ceiloing, it does not tilt sideways, but I don't find this a major handicap. On full auto it usually works very well, and I almost never have top think about the settings. You do need to watch shutter speeds in Av, sometimes it will give you a long shutter speed which you may not want.
I find the E-TTL stuff works great and you can allow the camera to do its magic quite happily.
I am planning to get a 580EX as time goes by, but as I have no particular issues with the 380EX, its a low priority. I reckon for the money you will be very pleased.

Thanks for your input Steve. I have no doubts that the 380 will work good for me. I do shoot in portrait a lot but might not need the ability to swivel for bouncing (that I know of) like you don't. Hmmmmmmm...

[Cyrus]

Just to clarify, can the 380EX operate wirelessly?

Cyrus

[yenoram]

No, the 380EX cannot operate wirelessly

[In2Photos]

I forgot I started this thread.:D

Well I decide to not buy the 380EX because the person I was going to buy it from stopped communication with me after asking how much for shipping. Oh well so I decided "screw it" and found a great deal from a member here and picked up a used 430EX with Stofen Omnibounce, a grip, extra batteries and a remote release. It should be here by the end of the week and give me the weekend to play around a bit.

Thanks to all for your help.