Need help choosing a flash

[Gluck]

I have had my XTi for a month or so and its time to start adding some stuff to my bag!

I want to get a flash, what I am going to need the flash for is basically everything and esp. aquarium photography. When I shoot the fish in the aquarium I need the flash above the aquarium. So now would the Sigma 500 super allow me to shot without an off shoe cord? Am I understanding the slave flash option correctly? The camera flash would trigger the Sigma flash. Second option is the Sigma 500 and my third choice is the Canon 430EX with the off shoe cord.

Thanks for the help

[Curtis N]

Using the camera's built-in flash won't work to trigger the Sigma in optical slave mode. The preflash will trigger it prematurely and possibly cause glare on the glass. You could use another flash on the hotshoe, in manual mode and pointed straight up to trigger the slave, but that's probably not the best option.

Using the Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 is probably your best option, regardless of which flash you choose. With the cord you can use E-TTL metering, which might be important since the power requirement will vary as the fish swim around. The cord only stretches to about 3 feet, so it may not be long enough for a really big aquarium. For a small tank I think it would work fine.

The Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2, or the Promaster TTL cord (which is built better) will work with any E-TTL flash, including the Sigma 500 Super and the 430EX Speedlite.

[ToyTrains]

I have had my XTi for a month or so and its time to start adding some stuff to my bag!

I want to get a flash, what I am going to need the flash for is basically everything and esp. aquarium photography. When I shoot the fish in the aquarium I need the flash above the aquarium. So now would the Sigma 500 super allow me to shot without an off shoe cord? Am I understanding the slave flash option correctly? The camera flash would trigger the Sigma flash. Second option is the Sigma 500 and my third choice is the Canon 430EX with the off shoe cord.

Thanks for the help

You might be interested in a page on the Stobist's (http://strobist.blogspot.com/) website: On Assignment: Zebra Fish and Zygotes (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/11/on-assignment-zebra-fish-and-zygotes.html)
Enjoy,
Dan

[nwa2]

The cord only stretches to about 3 feet, so it may not be long enough for a really big aquarium. For a small tank I think it would work fine.




The off camera chord can be extended fairly easily using a set of DIN plugs.

If you want to stick to Canon gear the options are fairy limited and expensive. e.g. ST-2 + 430ex.

You could get a cheaper wireless hot shoe trigger, and use your flash in manual mode.

[Gluck]

Thanks folks, so I guess I could get away with the cheaper Sigma as I will still have to buy the off camera cord or the transmitter anyway, I was hoping the extra cost of the Super meant no cost of the cord or transmitter. Decisions, decisions. I dont want to go cheap and regret it later but I dont wont to buy the best and not take advantage of its options either