580EX II w/ Kit Lens 450D/XSi

[Blurry00]

Hello,

For a while i've been debating whether i should buy a new lens or invest in a flash. I was wondering if anyone has the 450D w/Kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) and any one of the Canon Flashes and could possibly post some sample photos or have any advice for me.

If i were to go with the lens,it would probably be the 24-105mm.

I mostly shoot family gathering photos, candid shots and portraits.
Currently i own the kit lens and the nifty 50 f/1.8 II

Any tips on how a flash would be with the current lens which i own?

Thanks!

[angryhampster]

Get a 430EX and a Tamron 17-50. Treat yourself to a good flash and a good lens.

[Curtis N]

Sample images would represent the photographer's skill, not the equipment used.

The 430EX II will fit the needs of most non-professionals and will serve well as a backup and slave if/when you progress beyond amateur status.

A good flash gives you the ability to add light to a scene in controllable and creative ways. It can potentially do more for your photography than any lens, but it does require a learning curve.

Six reasons to get a good flash unit (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207470)

[Blurry00]

Thanks for the great responses.

I was wondering what about the 580? I really like the idea of it being able to swivel 180 degrees for taking portraits.

Yea, i still have a month to go before i needa shoot for my cousins wedding, hope i can learn enough before then when i go get that flash.

[angryhampster]

Thanks for the great responses.

I was wondering what about the 580? I really like the idea of it being able to swivel 180 degrees for taking portraits.

Yea, i still have a month to go before i needa shoot for my cousins wedding, hope i can learn enough before then when i go get that flash.


430 has tilt and swivel as well.

[Blurry00]

Really? I Thought it was only the 580 that had the Left and Right Swivel of 180 degrees or 90 degrees each way.

[angryhampster]

Really? I Thought it was only the 580 that had the Left and Right Swivel of 180 degrees or 90 degrees each way.


180 in one direction and only 90 in the other.

[clickcanon40]

Really? I Thought it was only the 580 that had the Left and Right Swivel of 180 degrees or 90 degrees each way.

Pretty sure both have it. I have a 40D and just recently purchased the 580ex II on amazon for $413 (thats including shipping) and I have yet to regret it. I have taken several shots with it and have really been trying to learn it.

I had the same debate you are having and struggled with what to buy. But here is how I made my choice:

1. Do you shoot a lot indoors? (if so there is a point for flash)

2. Do you find yourself wanting to manipulate light or take night shots? (if so, another point for flash)

3. Are the lenses you currently own restricting your creativity on a regular basis? ( if so you may want another lens)

4. Consider that the flash is a device of its own and produces a new creative tool that cannot be preformed by a lens, therefore it is something you do not already own. (and yes there are endless reasons for more lenses, but I think you get my point there)

and finally...

5. Consider the last month or two of "for fun" shooting, and then consider your last few focused shoots (such as paid or for someone else). How many of those times can you remember wanting the light to be less harsh (flash can provide fill light) or the lighting to be brighter (the more obvious use for flash)?

I know this all was very long but those are what I considered in a comparable situation and I decided that I would get the object which would broaden my creativity the most and that was the flash for me (although I still want many other lenses). But also I effectively have a range of 28-300mm if you consider the lengths my lenses range. So my situation may be different than yours.

[Blurry00]

Thanks Clickcanon40, those are some good points for me to think about.
I have to sleep on this one. Although, i do take a lot of indoor photos, as most family gatherings i do most of the shooting (and still a lot to learn).

During my last family gathering, i had to shoot at a high ISO and slow shutter speed (between 1/5 and 1/25 depending on the light available). How would a ext. flash unit help with increasing the shutter speed?

Thanks~

[tim]

430EX is enough for most people. I'm going to buy one for my assistant, unless I decide to get a 580 II so I can steal it from her at receptions for room lighting.

[Blurry00]

just a out of topic here. Whenever u use my built-in flash, i notice in the view finder where the EV bars are, the whole bar is lit (from -2 to +2) then it goes down till it disappears in 0.

I was wondering what this is as i was unable to find it in my manual.

[tim]

I have no idea, and I don't think it's relevant. What mode are you in? Generally you should be in manual if flash is the main light, or Av/P if you're mostly using available light with a bit of fill.

[Blurry00]

Well generally i'm shooting in M mode, i guess i'll just ignore it and test it when i get my new flash from the great tips in this thread. Thanks!

[clickcanon40]

Thanks Clickcanon40, those are some good points for me to think about.
I have to sleep on this one. Although, i do take a lot of indoor photos, as most family gatherings i do most of the shooting (and still a lot to learn).

During my last family gathering, i had to shoot at a high ISO and slow shutter speed (between 1/5 and 1/25 depending on the light available). How would a ext. flash unit help with increasing the shutter speed?

Thanks~

I've gotten to 1/250 or higher in complete darkness. That's also at about ISO 250-400, it differs for each shot of course but you get the idea and the difference it makes in low to no light.

[Blurry00]

I've gotten to 1/250 or higher in complete darkness. That's also at about ISO 250-400, it differs for each shot of course but you get the idea and the difference it makes in low to no light.

Perfect, after some browsing and this, i believe i have made up my mine and go with a 430EX II over a lens

Thanks all!

[bhardwaj.deepak]

I am struggling too on this topic.
Guys, can anyone explain to me what are the differences in 430EX II and 580EX II?
I am not sure if i need to spend so much on 580. Just want to be sure as to what will I get in 430 and what will I miss.

[borism]

http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/flash-lookup.pl?flash1=canon430ex&flash2=canon430exii&flash3=canon580exii

Here you'll find your answer
I myself will go for the 580EXII
Right now Canon has a 50$ rebate on the 580 and a 30$ rebate on the 430s
The 580 has a wireless transmitter, the 430 are only receivers
At this point this might be useless for your applications , but for a 80$ difference you get the transmiter, more power, a catch light panel, and I believe that the swivel move that the 430 does not do is downwards, like for macro photography, but dont quote me on this.
i hope this helps
Cheers
Boris

[msowsun]

If it is only $80 more, I would say get the 580EX II.
You get a lot of additional features for $80:

More Flash Power (GN58 vs GN43)
Threaded PC socket
External AutoFlash Exposure Sensor
Weather Sealing
Control Wheel
Pull-out catchlight panel (white card)
Flash head tilts downwards
Flash head swivels full 180° both left and right
stroboscopic (MULTI) flash
Master/Slave Capability
Flash exposure bracketing (FEB)
High voltage input port
Rapid-fire mode
"Save Energy" override control

[PhatheadWRX]

Remember, if you're going to use one flash to start you don't need the wireless master/slave, and you can start with a 430.

The 580 does rotate 180deg both ways, tilt down, and strobe. But the 580 is also larger than the 430. (edit - mike just beat me)

[Titus213]

According to the reports I've read the 24-105/4.0 is an outstanding lens and would make a fine addition. However, light is the real issue with photography - without it no lens will work. A 430EX should work fine for you, give you all the light you'll likely need to start and allow you to add on later with either ETTL master or RF units.

Get a good flash first. Then you can crank up the f-stop on the kit lens and get some really sharp images.

[tim]

I've gotten to 1/250 or higher in complete darkness. That's also at about ISO 250-400, it differs for each shot of course but you get the idea and the difference it makes in low to no light.

Um... not really sure what you mean. You can light an entire small room with any speedlite, shutter speed is irrelevant, but ISO is. I would probably start at ISO400 and work my way towards 1600 as necessary. The issue would be evenness of light coverage.

According to the reports I've read the 24-105/4.0 is an outstanding lens and would make a fine addition.

Yep it's a great lens, a friend of mine uses one on a 5D and it's incredible sharp.

[clickcanon40]

Um... not really sure what you mean. You can light an entire small room with any speedlite, shutter speed is irrelevant, but ISO is. I would probably start at ISO400 and work my way towards 1600 as necessary. The issue would be evenness of light coverage.



Yep it's a great lens, a friend of mine uses one on a 5D and it's incredible sharp.


Well, he was asking about shutter speeds and I looked back at what some of my shutter speeds ended up at on the final images.