Why are Canon flashes so expensive?

[Jamesino]

Why are Canon flashes so much more expensive than Nikon flashes? Canon's top of the line 580 EXII is almost twice as much as Nikon's top of the line SB-800. Plus, Canon flashes don't have built in PC ports.

[PacAce]

Nikon's top of the line flash is the SB-900 and costs $430 at B&H. The 580EX II is $420 at B&H and with a $50 rebate drops down to $370. Can't really call that so expensive. ;)

[Haru]

580 EX has a built in PC port...

Honestly I do like nikons flash system better, but canon can still hold its own against it. And it's all the same anyway once you get pocket wizards. =P

[Okami]

Love the build of canon flashes. Very solid. I personally think they are worth it. You might want to look into an older EX1 or 550EX if you need something cheaper

[Shibby!]

580 EX has a built in PC port...

Honestly I do like nikons flash system better, but canon can still hold its own against it. And it's all the same anyway once you get pocket wizards. =P


Only the EX II. The EX does not have a PC port.

Canon flashes, on average are more expensive. You have to realize the 900 was JUST released.

To be honest, I use my flashes for:

1) Light Triggering,
2) Power.

If I didn't use them to trigger eachother, then I'd just run PW and older Nikon flashes. I have the SB-28 which has some kick, and I paid less than 100$ used in mint condition. The 430 I have is great for rim light, etc, but it doesn't hold up or even up its own weight with a softbox or umbrella. You need the big flashes for this use.

[PacAce]

Only the EX II. The EX does not have a PC port.

Canon flashes, on average are more expensive. You have to realize the 900 was JUST released.

To be honest, I use my flashes for:

1) Light Triggering,
2) Power.

If I didn't use them to trigger eachother, then I'd just run PW and older Nikon flashes. I have the SB-28 which has some kick, and I paid less than 100$ used in mint condition. The 430 I have is great for rim light, etc, but it doesn't hold up or even up its own weight with a softbox or umbrella. You need the big flashes for this use.
And why should it matter that the SB-900 was just released? The fact is, the Canon flashes are no more expensive than other brand flashes. :|

Here's another example, the Olympus FL-50R costs $430 also.

[cdifoto]

OEM = Ouch Eek Mywalletisempty

[Scott McLoud]

OEM = Ouch Eek Mywalletisempty
So THATS what OEM stands for! :lol:

[Jamesino]

Alright then, price aside, are Canon speedlites better than its Nikon competing model?

[PacAce]

Alright then, price aside, are Canon speedlites better than its Nikon competing model?

That's a rather academic question since you really can't use a Canon flash on a Nikon camera nor a Nikon flash on a Canon camera if you want to make full use of all the features of the respective flashes. So, if I may ask, where is this thread supposed to be going exactly? :| :confused:

[DDCSD]

Alright then, price aside, are Canon speedlites better than its Nikon competing model?

Canon flashes are light-years better than Nikon flashes, on Canon cameras at least. Just as Nikon flashes are better on Nikon cameras.

:lol:

[Ridebmx]

i have a new 430exI and a sb-28, the sb-28 wont flash manually to test, and it sounds like an angry hungry cat hissing when it powers up from a 100% power flash.

the sb28 was $100, 430exI was $200.

your paying for the features. this sb-28 has a built in bounce card and power supply port with async port which is nice.

[bohdank]

There are Canon users using multiple Nikon flash setups but I have never heard of a Nikon user using Canon flashes.

[DDCSD]

There are Canon users using multiple Nikon flash setups but I have never heard of a Nikon user using Canon flashes.

I know of plenty of Nikon users using 540EZ's off camera.

Its all about availability, convenience and price. The main reason the old Nikon flashes are so popular is that most have a PC port and some have a built-in optical slave. No one is buying a new $400 flash to use off camera because it's better than the flash that is made for the system.

That and David Hobby recommends them.

[bohdank]

It does bring us back to price and function. Canon flashes are overpriced, imo. I knew that going in, when I went Canon. Now I have to buy something to trigger it, off camera.

Hey, I have a 580 EXII so it's not like I am trolling.

[bsaber]

The Nikon flash system is more advanced than the Canon system (well more convenient at least) and the price difference isn't that big. Also keep in mind the 580 is slightly more powerful than the SB-800 and if I remember correctly about the same as the SB-900.

[PacAce]

The Canon EX flashes can be set up in a wireless remote configuration (using the wireless flash feature of the flashes, albeit without ETTL exposure control) and work with a Nikon camera (or any other brand of camera for that matter). But the Nikon flashes cannot be set up in a similar configuration to work with a Canon camera.

However, on the flip side, I can use an SB-900 or an SB-800 in remote slave mode with a Canon camera, using the built-in flash as a "master", to get good ETTL-exposed pictures, as long as the subject is within the working distance range of the built-in flash as determined by the camera settings.

(BTW, power for power, the SB-800 is more powerful than the SB-900. The SB-900 does account for the sensor crop factor just like the 580EX does (the SB-800 does not), so, on any Nikon crop camera, the SB-900 will be slightly more powerful than the SB-800 if mounted on the camera.)

The point is, each flash system has its pros and cons. And if you only have one brand of camera, you're basically stuck with whatever flash the maker puts out unless you go with 3rd party gear.

As an aside though, I do agree that, overall, Nikon's flash system is superior to Canon's. Not only do the Nikon flashes have more features than the Canon's, but Nikon even makes accessories for their flashes (some even come included with the flashes) that extend the functionality of the flashes. If one isn't committed to a brand yet and the majority of the photography is going to be done using the camera flash system (not talking studio strobes or external wireless remote systems here), then going with the Nikon might be the better choice. :)

[nureality]

I know of plenty of Nikon users using 540EZ's off camera.

Its all about availability, convenience and price. The main reason the old Nikon flashes are so popular is that most have a PC port and some have a built-in optical slave. No one is buying a new $400 flash to use off camera because it's better than the flash that is made for the system.

That and David Hobby recommends them.

I have to agree that David Hobby's recommendation has led many Canon shooters to Nikon flashes. Not that it doesn't make sense economically. The Nikon SB's of yesteryear offer Manual control, and zoom control, as well as flash cards (in some cases) and optical slave modes (in some cases).

I own a 580EX II, an old Vivitar 3700, and a Canon 199A (this doesn't work with wireless triggers so its out). I'm currently looking for some more flashes, and intend to use the MS Live Cashback to help bring the prices down.

A 580EX II on ebay from an authorized vendor will cost $370 ($420 - $50 Canon Rebate) - $92.25 in cashback which comes to $277.75 + shipping. Say what you will about the latest Nikon SB-900 doesn't have a rebate going, so it will cost you AT LEAST $50 more.

-Alan

[Collin85]

Why are Canon flashes so much more expensive than Nikon flashes? Canon's top of the line 580 EXII is almost twice as much as Nikon's top of the line SB-800. Plus, Canon flashes don't have built in PC ports.

Are you sure you're not confusing a brand new 580EX II with a SB-800 sold second-hand from an owner who just dropped it onto the pavement which then rolled down into the sewer?

[Curtis N]

To answer the title question: They charge what the market will bear.

I'm just glad there's a market. Promaster, Sigma, Metz and Quantum are but a few of the many aftermarket brands offering alternatives and competing for your business. There are lots of choices out there, and that's a good thing. They all have their pros and cons. Take yer pick.

Heck, any old automatic flash unit will work as well with today's cameras as they ever did with film. Plenty of those around for under $100.

[Shibby!]

And why should it matter that the SB-900 was just released? The fact is, the Canon flashes are no more expensive than other brand flashes. :|

Here's another example, the Olympus FL-50R costs $430 also.


Because everything is more expensive once first released.

It'll drop in price when a new model is released as I would suspect the SB-800 will drop in price now the SB-900 has been released.

If that weren't the case, things would continue to go up in price.

For the longest time the SB-800 was cheaper than then 580EX II which were comparible flashes till the 900 came out.