Need help deciding on a flash for my 350D

[ECSouljah]

Hey,
I am just now getting into using an external flash for my photography. I have a 350D. I'm interested in starting to shoot some modeling, skating and just random other stuff. I really don't know that much about flashes to begin with. I've been reading on here and everyone seems to love the 430ex, but I've heard for the 580ex is a powerhouse. What are my capabilities with the 430ex compared to the capabilities of the 580ex?
If anyone has some sample photos that they have taken with each flash, I'd be interested in seeing them.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

[tim]

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123694

580EX is about one stop more powerful.

[Curtis N]

If anyone has some sample photos that they have taken with each flash, I'd be interested in seeing them.I really doubt that would help your decision process.

The one stop advantage that Tim mentioned means that in most situations you will be able to use either one stop smaller aperture (for more depth of field) or one stop lower ISO (for less digital noise).

Extra power is most useful when you're bouncing the flash or using it for fill in bright sunshine.

[ECSouljah]

Thanks for the replies guys,
I'm more interested in doing model/portrait photography outdoor. I live at the beach, so most of the set would be somewhere near or on the beach, and in bright lighting (afternoon/morning lighting). Would this mean that the 580EX is going to be more efficient for my needs because it's more powerful?
Another reason that I'm leaning towards the 580EX flash is because I can use it as a master for maybe a 430EX flash when I get more advanced in flash photography.

Ben

[Scott_Quier]

Would this mean that the 580EX is going to be more efficient for my needs because it's more powerful?

BenDon't know about it being more efficient (working at a lower cost, may or may not get the job accomplished). The extra power will help it be more effective (getting the job done).

[cgratti]

the 430EX is going to be more than enough flash for now, get that and if you find yourself needing more power in a year get the 580EX and use the 430EX as a slave.

[Curtis N]

Would this mean that the 580EX is going to be more efficient for my needs because it's more powerful?Fill flash in bright sunlight requires a lot of flash power because you'll need to stop down the aperture quite a bit for proper ambient exposure (remember you can't go past 1/200 shutter speed). And the smaller the aperture, the less range you'll get with your flash. If you use high speed sync, you'll need even more power.

If I was doing a lot of beach shooting, I would definitely buy the most powerful flash I could afford.

This article (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=208520)on guide numbers and high speed sync might help you understand what I'm getting at.

[A01]

I thought id go all out and get a 580EX for my 350D. Ordering it this week! :D

[ECSouljah]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think I'm going to go with the 580ex. If I was doing more indoor shooting with the flash then I probably would have considered the 430ex, but since I'm going to be shooting in bright ambient light then I want to go with the 580.

Ben

[cdifoto]

Too little too late but I have 580EXs and I can't say they've ever been overkill...

[A01]

Think of it this way, over kill is a good thing. You can turn a 580EX down, but you cant turn a 430EX up ;)