Flash for 10D

[Joytek]

I would like to buy an external flash for my 10D. Can anyone recommend one.

I am wondering if when I shoot in AV mode and with the flash sinc at 1/200th sec the flah will auto adjust for a fill shot or do I have to do that manualy?

I don't have much flash experience except with my peashooter s30. Non-auto flash shots seem to be very difficult to master.

thanks.
w.

[kufel]

Of course the most you can do with 550EX. It's pretty powerfull and can be a master when you decide t obuy more flashes. If money is an issue, go with 420 EX, not so many whistles but it does pretty good job. A lot of ppl go with more powerfull 3rd party flashes, but Canon are the most compatible.

I think it will auto fill-in with CF set to 1/200 in Av if there is enough light avail. If it's dark it simply has to fire more and fill in won't happen.

[robertwgross]

Without knowing what kind of flash photography you are trying to do, a recommendation would be difficult. In general, Canon xxxEX flashes are the right answers.

For example, if you are trying to flash over a large distance, you'll need something with a larger Guide Number. If you are just shooting closeups, then a smaller Guide Number might be sufficient. If you are trying to minimize redeye problem, then you want to hang your flash unit out on a flash bracket with an off-shoe cable. If you are doing complex lighting, like with multiple flash units, then some combination of 550EX and 420EX are correct for master/slave arrangements.

I'm often trying to flash over a large distance, so I went with the 550EX for that. I needed something with a reasonably quick recycle time, so I went with the 550EX for that. I needed to do master/slave flash arrangements, so I went with one ST-E2, one 550EX, and one 420EX.

On the other hand, the 550EX does not come cheaply.

---Bob Gross---

[scottbergerphoto]

If you are going to be using cameras from more then one brand ( Nikon, Canon, etc), you might consider a third party flash. Quantum makes the Q Flash T2D which uses an external battery pack. I have modules that let me do E-TTL with my 10D, and 3D Matrix Balanced Fill Flash with my Nikon F5. It has a parabolic reflector so you can achieve studio like effects. It also let's you go Manual and Auto(thyristor controlled) which allows you to manually set fill ratios between flash and ambient light.
It's definitely not a flash for road trips or a walk in the park, but it's great for parties, weddings, etc. It has to be mounted on a flash bracket. Here's the link:
http://www.qtm.com/flash/digital_qflash.html

You also mentioned that non auto flash is difficult. You are absoloutely right. Here's what I did to learn. Make up index cards with flash settings on them and include them in a series of pictures of the same subject/object and lighting. Play with different diffusers, flash settings, etc. Then print out a sheet of your pictures. You'll be able to see what works best for you.
Scott

[robertwgross]

scottbergerphoto wrote:

You also mentioned that non auto flash is difficult. You are absoloutely right. Here's what I did to learn. Make up index cards with flash settings on them and include them in a series of pictures of the same subject/object and lighting. Play with different diffusers, flash settings, etc. Then print out a sheet of your pictures. You'll be able to see what works best for you.
Scott

Yes, in the old days, I had to learn to use the old Vivitar 252 flash unit. I had labels stuck all over it with flash settings for long, short, and in-between.

The most difficult subject was a Yosemite black bear at night. I had to use the same settings as for a bridegroom wearing a black tuxedo.

---Bob Gross---

[kufel]

Why didn't you ask him to stand still while you use your flash light meter in front of his face??? They should be pretty used to people taking pics over there.... :-)

[robertwgross]

kufel wrote:
Why didn't you ask him to stand still while you use your flash light meter in front of his face??? They should be pretty used to people taking pics over there.... :-)


The black bear? This was no sophisticated Yosemite Valley black bear. This was one of those backcountry bears that was used to grabbing food from the backpackers' cache. The bear gets its nose stuck into a bag of food, and then it looks up at the camera with the look of "Who, me?" Then it runs off with the food.

Back in the old days, before autofocus lenses, lenses were common with f/1.4 apertures, so with some 400 speed film and a Vivitar flash, that _Ursus_americanus_ could be posed carefully, even at midnight. Black bear fur soaks up a lot of light.

---Bob Gross---

[kufel]

I was kidding....

[Joytek]

Thank you everyone!

Well money is not so critical right now so it seems that I will go with the 550ex. I need it for portraits and indoor shots. I am still wondering if maybe a sigma flash or some other one would offer more options, or is the 550 really decked out with all one could ever need.

thanks
w.

[kufel]

Options wise - 550ex has everything. If you really want to get into flash photography - consider adding at least one more, ie. add 420 EX to it, if you use 2 in unisone the they will reduce shadows really nicely, you can bounce the light to get nice fill-in effects etc. Go to canon.com, navigate to EOS, then to speedlights and download the manuals, read them through, you will see what they can do for you, you can go wild, ie. you can have 3 groups of speedlights with unlimited number of units in each group and set each group to fire with different power for main light, fill-in light and background light. check EOS3 brochure in your nearest photo store (you can probably download it as well), they have some nice examples of flash pics with the diagrams how they were achived.

[kufel]

550EX - some more features: stroboscopic flash, second curtain set on the flash instead of going through custom functions on your camera (not a big deal on 10D, but film cameras without LCD display?major pain), high speed sync also set on the flash, you can set the output power manually from 1/128 to full, shows you a range in ft./m for which you should place your subject to obtain correct exposure, ISO200, head in 105 mm zoom position - range :30m(100ft.), manual override of autozoom is also nice to have. There is more - read the manual.

[phidong]

No one really recommended this one yet, but you kind of touched on it.. and its a really good flash for the price. I've researched it and talked to several people when trying to find an affordable but GOOD flash. The Sigma EF-500 Super DG (make sure you get DG as the other/older ones will not work with your 10D)

http://photonotes.org/reviews/sigma-ef-500-super/

There is a comparisson of the EF-500 vs. the 550EX. For the price (170-180) its a really good deal compared to the 300-500 price of the 550EX. Save yourself some money and buy two EF-500's .. or just one.

I'm getting my EF-500 tomorrow (supposedly) unless UPS messes up.. I'll let you know how I like it. :D

OH! Get an OMNIBOUNCE too.. it will diffuse the light and not make it so harsh. :) They run around 10-16 dollars..