Two Speedlites worth it?

[Scott_1469]

I just received and am still learning about my 430EX. I'm a complete novice, but am tempted by Canon's rebates to pick up the 580EX as well. I think it'd be fun to play around with both flashes with the 430 off camera. My question is….should I do it? Those that have two or more flashes, how often do you find yourself using them together, and in what kinds of situations? Just trying to decide between this option or going with another lens. My equipment list is as follows:
XTi, Sigma 17-70, Sigma 18-200, Tamron 75-300, Canon 50mm 1.8, 430EX

Thanks!

[bedevere007]

I just got my 430ex also about 3 months ago. I'm deciding to get a 580ex myself but for me it's probably more important to get a reflector/stand first since it's hard to use flash by itself without that equipment. If you have that already and can afford the 580, why not. Must be an awesome feeling holding one of those guns. :-)

[pilot1962]

Well, 580 is a great flash by itself, and in group with St-2E and a 430 will make a great wireless portable studio setup (add a few light stands and umbrellas).
After you grow - still makes a very nice backdrop flash!
I have 2 580s and never had a regrets, should you go far from home second makes agreat backup flash...

[scottbergerphoto]

I use a 580EX and 3 550EX's in a portable studio set up. The 580EX is on camera set not to fire it's flash (Master), 2 of the 550's (Slaves A and B) are on lightstands into silver umbrellas and the 3rd 550 (Slave C) is for the background on a background stand.

[Moppie]

Iv just bought a really, and I mean really cheap flash (it cost me a $1) from a local trading site.
Its no brand no name unit that i plan to fire with an optical trigger on the hot shoe.
Combined with my 550 in manual I'll have a play, and see how I enjoy useing 2 seperate lights.
If it works, then I can look at getting another EX series flash to run as a slave to my 550.
If I don't like it, then Iv spent a $1 on a flash I use with my A80 in the light tent.

[rwenglish1]

I use a 580EX and 3 550EX's in a portable studio set up. The 580EX is on camera set not to fire it's flash (Master), 2 of the 550's (Slaves A and B) are on lightstands into silver umbrellas and the 3rd 550 (Slave C) is for the background on a background stand.

scottbergerphoto,
I am iterested in the setup you descibed. Is the flash for the background in front or behind the background, are all the flashes wireless, and how big are your two umbrellas?

I have a convention in March to take some photos of winners in different categories. I have to use either avaliable light, or flash, or someone had mentioned to me soft boxes. I have one 580ex, I am thinking of getting another. But I should learn how to use the one I have first. I have been trying it a family get togethers and I am having trouble getting it to fire all the time. But thats a story for another day, I just wanted to ask about your set up.
By the way, I like your atitude on the 911 tragedy.
Sincerely,
rw

[scottbergerphoto]

scottbergerphoto,
I am iterested in the setup you descibed. Is the flash for the background in front or behind the background, are all the flashes wireless, and how big are your two umbrellas?

I have a convention in March to take some photos of winners in different categories. I have to use either avaliable light, or flash, or someone had mentioned to me soft boxes. I have one 580ex, I am thinking of getting another. But I should learn how to use the one I have first. I have been trying it a family get togethers and I am having trouble getting it to fire all the time. But thats a story for another day, I just wanted to ask about your set up.
By the way, I like your atitude on the 911 tragedy.
Sincerely,
rw

These (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=42515&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) are the umbrellas. The background flash goes right behind the subject and in front of the background so it isn't seen. I use Canon's wireless ETTL with ratios, (A:B):C

[Lord_Malone]

I purchased a 430ex to go with my 580ex a while back. It was used only for a specific purpose and then sold shortly after. Fast forwarding to now, I just ordered another one. This time I'm keeping it, and I'll add a couple more at some point. Not only is it a joy to use multiple flashes, but it's always a good idea to have at least one extra around.

[RangerRick]

Scott,
Having another Speedlite is a good thing. Get the 580EX! It will also become your everyday flash because of it's extra power. Using a 580EX and two 430EXs I got this...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/IMG_3445-logo.jpg
in my garage "studio". Technically, the lighting is not perfect (nose loop/shadow is hitting the corner of the mouth)... but overall, it's not bad either.

Basically... speedlites are great for portability. I like to use them for extra fill when shooting team pictures if I'm outdoors. However, if your goal it to do portrait (or precise) work... then go for monolights (like the Alien Bees AB400 or AB800). So, you can "see" what your lights are going to do before you take the shot. That's going to be my next step!

[BrandonSi]

Scott,
Having another Speedlite is a good thing. Get the 580EX! It will also become your everyday flash because of it's extra power. Using a 580EX and two 430EXs I got this...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/IMG_3444.jpg
in my garage "studio". Technically, the lighting is not perfect (nose loop/shadow is hitting the corner of the mouth)... but overall, it's not bad either.

Basically... speedlites are great for portability. I like to use them for extra fill when shooting team pictures if I'm outdoors. However, if your goal it to do portrait (or precise) work... then go for monolights (like the Alien Bees AB400 or AB800). So, you can "see" what your lights are going to do before you take the shot. That's going to be my next step!

Thanks for posting that, I was wondering what additional speedlite setups would yield.

[StealthLude]

I think more than 1 speedlight is smart. The wireless studio stuff using canon speedlights are pretty sweet.

I had 1x 580ex and two 420ex units.

[scottbergerphoto]

Done using speedlights and silver umbrellas:

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/35701560.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/35701558.jpg

[Scott_1469]

Thanks for the advice and posting the pics. That's a huge help.

[ijohnson]

Having light that you can control and move around is like having control over the sun. It's a god-like feeling that will give your photos a new look and will expand every possibility. I highly recommend it.

[StealthLude]

A Canon wireless speedlight studio is expencive, but pretty awsome. Considering you can get 3-4 speedlights (including your master) a set of rechargables, and have a complete mini studio lighting setup inside a Canon gadget bag.

If you like to use ETTL for metering, it really takes the guess work out of shooting. Id like to call it a "point-and-shoot" studio. Its nice for someone thats constantly doing a few shots of portraits on location for people.

I had an ETTL speedlight studio, but sold it since I felt it was a bit underpowered for family shots, and large studio work. But I do plan on buying another setup again, sooner or later.

If I do.. Im going
580ex - master on camera set not to fire
580ex Main light (also used a a backup for my master)
430ex fill light
430ex background light.
Set of stands and brollys, and you are pretty much good to go.

(I sold my setup not because it of the power, which is a reason, not the main reason.. I sold my slaves, its because I had 420ex units, which didnt have a manual mode... I didnt really like using ETTL ALL the time, since it didnt yeild consistant results, but when you didint have time to meter, it can be a life-saver.)

[FlashZebra]

A Canon wireless speedlight studio is expencive,
Underscore the expensive part.

The cost of a "speedlight studio" significantly exceeds the cost of a studio based on inexpensive studio flash gear (like Alien Bee units).

In addition to lower cost, a system based on studio flash units are far more powerful that the anemic Canon flash units, have modeling lights, do not require clunky lightstand adapters, accept more light modifiers, have built in optical slaves, and work with a flash cord (without even more clunky flash adapters).

If you must have a studio based on small battery powered flash units, look at the Sunpak 383 flash units. They have the important attributes (small and battery powered) of the Canon 580EX, but for $80.00 not $380.00. You can get yourself 5 or so Sunpak 383 units, for the cost of only one Canon 580EX.

A studio based on Canon Speedlights is an exercise in spending a lot of cash, for anemic flash gear. Please note that I think the Canon 580EX is a very nice flash unit. But, it is a very expensive underpinning for an ad hoc studio. But if you have a lot of cash, or just happen to have a pile of Canon 580EX laying about, they may be fine.

Enjoy! Lon

[StealthLude]

Underscore the expensive part.

The cost of a "speedlight studio" significantly exceeds the cost of a studio based on studio flash gear (like Alien Bee units).

In addition to lower cost, a system based on studio flash units are far more powerful that the anemic Canon flash units, have modeling lights, do not require clunky lightstand adapters, have buit in optical slaves, and work with a flash cord (without even more clunky flash adapters).

If you must have a studio based on small battery powered flash units, look at the Sunpak 383 flash units. They have the important attributes (small and battery powered) of the Canon 580EX, but for $80.00 not $380.00. You can get yourself 5 or so Sunpak 383 units, for the cost of only one Canon 580EX.

A studio based on Canon Speedlight is an exercise in spending a lot of cash, for anemic flash gear. Please note that I think the Canon 580EX is a very nice flash unit. But, it is a very expensive underpinning for an ad hoc studio. But if you have a lot of cash, or just happen to have a pile of Canon 580EX laying about, they may be fine.

Enjoy! Lon


True, VERY true Lon...

But the only Reason I mentioned 580ex units and myself for example is because I have and plan on having multiple bodies... And when I am shooting an event, I would use the 580ex unit on my camrea as my flashgun... So they would have multiple uses, and the 430ex units can either be my backups or slaves to use with both 580ex units on camera...

This is the only way I could justify having Canon speedlights in a wireless studio like this. I have Alien bee units, and also agree, the speedlights are weak.. and I dont really miss them for studio use.

[FJ LOVE]

Scott 1469 yes more than one flash is worth it , check out strobist .com

flashes can be used for anything ,the more you have the more you can do.