Need expert advice, I dont know which flash I need!

[yzaddict106]

Hey guys,
Im starting to get some extra income coming from my photos, and now that i have my camera body and lenses, i think its time for a flash. I have the Canon Rebel XTi with Sigma lenses (which i KNOW arent the greatest but they do me well) and i mostly shoot motocross. Most of it is during the day but now that warm weather is here (in texas anyways) we will be riding more at night. I want something that isnt going to blind the riders, but is going to give me more then 1 shot ever 30 seconds like the stock flash. I am on a budget as well, so i dont want to be spending a ton of $$. I have been looking at the 580 but people complain you cant turn the slave off? I'm not even sure what that is or if it'll effect what im using it for. Im not looking to spend more then $400. would the 580 be the flash to go for or should i look into something else? I have found the 580 on amazon and b and H for right at $360.


PLease help me out!!!

DJ

[Strayz]

Get the 580, and a better beamer and go shoot then determine if you need something else.

Only other thing I would also say is before buying new look at the for sale here on this forum and what local forums you may have in Texas, then check craigslist (/shudder I cant beleave I said that), and get the best deal and save a buck or 3..

[yzaddict106]

i may sound like the most retarded person on earth by asking this....but what do you mean a better beamer?

[drjiveturkey]

What kind of lens are you using? Maybe faster glass is better. You can get a 85 1.8 or 100mm 2.0 for under $500

[yzaddict106]

Im not really interested in a new lens. I have a Sigma 70-300 f/4.0 that i do most of my shooting with and another, smaller, sigma lens. I havent had any problems with them, and i dont have a flash at all. So that is the route i'd like to go.

[drjiveturkey]

I think that faster glass is a better approach to low light shooting. For one the flash may not reach your subject and 2 it may blind them!

Your 70-300 is f/4 at 70 and f/5.6 at 300mm.

A 200 2.8 will let in 2 to 4 times as much light.

or a

100 f/2 would let in 4 to 8 times as much light!

But if you're keen on getting a flash the 580EX II is the best Flash for the Canon System. Then make one of these for close shots
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2258227685_35dc4edb32.jpg
And get or make A better beamer to extend the reach of the flash.

But I think that with fast glass and high ISO you should be fine in Night Shooting...Unless they are racing in pitch black darkness.

[slewfoot]

Better Beamer = flash extender (http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER)

[MT Stringer]

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i may sound like the most retarded person on earth by asking this....but what do you mean a better beamer?

A simple search on Google will answer that question for ya.

[PeteGB]

Don't let the 'slave' question worry you. The Canon flash system allows multiple flash units to be controled by a master unit. The 580 acts as a master or slave and the complaints about the new 580EX II are that the master/slave switch has been replaced by a menu option which is too slow if you are rapidly changing modes during a wedding shoot for example.

If you are principally wanting a sinlge flash for on camera (or connected by Canon sync cord) work where you will probably find the 430EX just fine. It's not quite as powerful as it's big brother and it only operates as a slave but until you have at least two flashes the entire master/slave thing is of no interest anyway. You'll save about $100 over the 580.