Which Flash to get

[dennykyser]

I am going to get a flash, between the 550ex, and metz 45-CL4, which one do you sugest. I am sure down the road will be using a set of wizard for of camera use wonding if the Metz wont be easier to control?

[slin100]

I don't know much about the Metz, but it doesn't look as flexible as the 550EX. I can't tell if it's E-TTL capable. It doesn't zoom, and it only has two manual power settings, which will really limit you when you go off-camera.

You should consider what the primary use of this flash will be. If it's for on-camera, the 550EX is the clear winner. Off-camera, you may be better off with a basic Vivtar or Sunpak at probably 1/5 the cost.

[scottbergerphoto]

I am going to get a flash, between the 550ex, and metz 45-CL4, which one do you sugest. I am sure down the road will be using a set of wizard for of camera use wonding if the Metz wont be easier to control?
If you are going the Pocket Wizard route and want a true parabolic reflector flash, check out the Quantum Q Flash T2D at:
www.qtm.com
It has ETTL, Auto, Manual, and stroboscopic.
Scott

[ifurlong]

I woudnt consider myself a real expert, but I really like the 550

[Vegas Poboy]

Both are good flashes but I would suggest the 550EX you'll never have to worry about compatability & if needed you can always add another flash.
I have both the 550 & the 420EX never a problem for general photography.

[robertwgross]

It is a little more complicated than simply "Which flash should I get?"

Try to project how you would use the flash. For example, do you intend to shoot large groups of people from twenty feet away? Do you intend to shoot forest wildlife in the evening? Do you shoot children crawling on the living room floor?

If your needs for a flash are simple, you can get away with a fairly simple flash unit. If you have the time, you can shoot manually. You need to be able to either dial a small dial or do quick math in your head, and if you aren't trying to reach over a long distance, a flash with small guide number may be sufficient. They are cheap.

However, once you have the easy flash tasks mastered, sometimes you want to do more. Sometimes you need a big guide number to be able to sunburn the foreheads of your subjects. If you are shooting critical portraits, then you probably want to be able to add something like a diffuser.

Will one flash unit be sufficient? If so, then simply get one that will mount on the hot shoe and be done with it. However, there are times when you might possibly need the wider light that multiple units can provide. In a studio setting, you could wire up a bunch of sync cables and that would work fine. However, I find myself running around at a wedding far too fast to use sync cables, and wireless coupling from different flash units is the way to go.

Basically, you want to figure out what you might grow into for flash photography, and then purchase the right one.

I use a 550EX, a 420EX, and the STE2 transmitter, so I have all of my bases covered.

---Bob Gross---

[Morden]

I use a 550EX, a 420EX, and the STE2 transmitter, so I have all of my bases covered.
Exactly what I have; on its own on the camera, the 550 is a great flash, and with either the 550 or the ST-E2 on the camera, the combination of flashguns form a very versatile pair.