Need Advice about which flash?

[Dan-A]

I'm still learning, and i know i have lost some shoot by not having a better flash. So i'm looking at picking one up.

Would like to get the 580EX, but since i'm still new i don't want to spend that kind of money learning right now.

So i'm looking at getting an older one or used one. I can get some deals on the older ones on e-bay.

So what would you recommend?
550EX - seems like it would be my best bet and can get for decent price on e-bay
430EX - step down but less expensive than the 580 and probably more than the 550
420EX - can get cheaper than the 550 but not that much cheaper?

Let me know. The main purpuse is night time shoot at the drag strip.

Dan

[Wilt]

The main purpose is night time shoot at the drag strip.


The major distinction for a flash of the 550/580 class vs. the 420/430 class is POWER. At the drag races at night, unless you have great seats up front, the challenge will be getting the flash to reach the distances needed for the f/stop that is selected on your lens!

With its zoom head zoomed to the narrowest FOV, the 580 has ISO100 Guide Number of 190. ISO400 GN=380. So with an f/4 lens, if you believe the rating it can reach out 95'. In recent days, several of us have shown via independent flash meter readings, that manufacturer GN ratings are overinflated, regardless of the brand name, so assume real ability to reach out 68' (to offset the 1EV or more of optimistically unreal ratings!). The 4x0 flashes would not reach even that distance.

The other distinction for the 580EX is its ability to serve as a Master flash to drive a remote slave flash via radio control (which does not matter to your purpose at the drag races).