Small flash for XS/XSi?

[canonxtip]

What's the best small flash for XS/XSi? I used to have a Nikon SB-400 which I love. I am pretty new to Canon especially the flashes so I need some advices.

Thanks,

[pako73]

430 EX Speedlite

[jblaschke]

Canon's 430 EX Speedlites (I & II) are excellent. If you have the extra $ to spend, the 580 EX Speedlites are even excellenter. I'm not familiar with third party strobes...

[canonxtip]

Thanks for the advices.

Actually, I am considering Gary Fong's Puffer or LumiQuest's soft screen for the built-in flash. I always hate to add extra weight to the bag unless it's a huge improvement.

How is 220ex? It looks tiny.

[tim]

The 430EX is a huge improvement over the built in flash. Bouncing the light off a wall or a ceiling is much better than direct flash. Diffusers for little flashes seems silly, and mostly miss the point of how lighting works - ie light source size and placement.

[fullcity]

How is 220ex? It looks tiny.

I actually have the 220 EX (that I bought a long time ago for my G2) and was hoping I could use it for a while on my new XSi until I could justify the 430 EX II. Although it has enough light for portraits/short distance indoor shots (my primary use), the inability to bounce/swivel make it poorly suited for my purposes because the results look so harsh, so I'm on prowl for a good deal on the 430 ;)

[richierich1212]

fullcity, best deal right now is on Amazon by Adorama, $199 shipped.

[fullcity]

fullcity, best deal right now is on Amazon by Adorama, $199 shipped.

Thanks, but that's the 430 EX, not the EX II, right? I have this thing about getting the latest gear (Canon must love guys like me), which is why I got an XSi instead of the XS or XT. Do you think $50 for the improvements is not worth it?

[PlaneNuts]

Thanks, but that's the 430 EX, not the EX II, right? I have this thing about getting the latest gear (Canon must love guys like me), which is why I got an XSi instead of the XS or XT. Do you think $50 for the improvements is not worth it?

I just bought a 430EX II and was facing the same decision. I would definitely buy a 430EX used (which should be in the $150 range), but new I don't see that it's worth the $50 savings.

[iceman1]

I recently got the 430EX II and its awesome. From another thread:

here are the improvements of the 430EX II over the 430EX:

1) Metal Hotshoe
2) Quick release mechanism
3) Silent recycle
4) Faster recycle
5) FEC adjusted in 1/3 stop increments
6) Nine Custom Functions (vs 6 on 430EX)
7) In-camera Flash Menu with Digic III or IV Cameras
(40D, 50D, 1D III, XSi, XS, G9, G10 etc.)

[fullcity]

The in-camera flash menu would be really nice on my XSi, so I think I'll probably go for the EX II. Thanks PlaneNuts and iceman for the inputs.

[tkbslc]

Thanks, but that's the 430 EX, not the EX II, right? I have this thing about getting the latest gear (Canon must love guys like me), which is why I got an XSi instead of the XS or XT. Do you think $50 for the improvements is not worth it?

UH OH!!! The XS is actually newer than the XSi. Better go exchange! :)

The EX II has faster recycle time and improved in-camera control.

[jrscls]

The best deals are on the original 430EX. I bought my daughter a mint 420EX and it works great on her XS.

[fullcity]

UH OH!!! The XS is actually newer than the XSi. Better go exchange! :)


LOL, you almost had me there for a second! I actually ended up getting the 580EX II (not exactly small) as posted in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=604013&page=2). But now I'm thinking I still may want a 430 for a second off-camera flash. Too many choices....

[canonxtip]

I just purchased a Gary Fong Puffer. :)

[tim]

And Gary just bought a Porsche! :p

[canonxtip]

tim, you are so right!! :)