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View Full Version : Is this Flash Gun worth buying?

Salma
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:14
... for my canon EOS 450d??

http://www.greatuniversal.com/rf/gus/p.do/dslr-flash-gun?Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&SNtt=flash&groupId=556581959&Nu=this_product&SNtk=littlewoods_search&Np=1&SN=103+85&Ntt=556581959&D=556581959&Ntk=group_search&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&thisprod=556581959&N=103+85&Nty=1&Mis_item_id=15&Mis_item_loc_id=1&product=556581959
TheHoff
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:17
Out of dozens available from various manufacturers, why would you pick that one in particular to buy for your Canon?
Salma
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:22
Out of dozens available from various manufacturers, why would you pick that one in particular to buy for your Canon?
Because it's within my budget :D
Titus213
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:28
You will probably not be real happy with that unit. Power is marginal, adjustability very limited. Not a good entry level item IMO.

I would suggest looking further into some of the other ETTL compatible units that allow you to swivel and tilt the flash head for bouncing flash. They will generally have more power too.
Salma
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:29
You will probably not be real happy with that unit. Power is marginal, adjustability very limited. Not a good entry level item IMO.

I would suggest looking further into some of the other ETTL compatible units that allow you to swivel and tilt the flash head for bouncing flash. They will generally have more power too.
Thanks alot:D, do you recommend anything?
dpds68
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:31
This will server you better , No ETTL but good for the money .

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Auto_Flash.html
Titus213
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 08:46
Look at the Sigma line of flash or perhaps a used 430EX. There have even been some 550EX units available recently. Ideally the flash should be adjustable as mentioned and be capable of a manual mode also.
Wilt
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 09:43
You want to buy, in decreasing order of desireability...

a. a ETTL flash with a hot foot dedicated to Canon
b. an Auto flash with a hot foot dedicated to Canon
c. an Auto flash with generic hot foot with only TWO contacts (one in the center and one at the edge of the foot...these trigger the flash, but no in-viewfinder status lights or automatic selection of synch speed)

The flash you listed in OP does none of the above.
Johnny V
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 10:38
Spend a little more and get a dedicated ETTL Canon flash
spur
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 10:42
Take a look at the Nissin Di622. It will be an A on Wilt's list. It is E-TTL II, has manual settings, tilt/swivel and an optical slave function. It's slightly more powerful than the 430 ex. A very nice flash to go with the 450D and $99.90 should fit your budget. http://www.nissin-japan.com/en/Di622/index2.html

Hvstar.net has it for $99.90 http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=786
cdifoto
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 10:44
I'm big on flash but I'd rather have no flash than that one as my only unit. It doesn't bounce or swivel and those are the top two features you need to make flash look natural. In other words, that Pentax is just a bigger popup.

Try shopping at dedicated camera shops. You'll get more bang for your buck at one of those than you will at an online department store that also sells women's clothing.
fashioneyes
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 10:55
I wouldn't touch that one at all ...

Canon ones ideally or a Nissin as suggested ...

http://www.karlu.com/product_info.php?products_id=9828
Wilt
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 11:03
Some of theses are certainly too pricey for a budget, but I list them as examples of each of the types of flashes I mentioned earlier

Examples of 'A'...Canon 430EX; Metz 58AF1; Metz 54MZ in ETTL mode; Nissin Di622
Examples of 'B'...Metz 45CL in Auto mode; Canon film camera flash unit (TTL flash not usable in TTL mode with ETTL camera)
Examples of 'C' ...Vivitar 285
msowsun
27th of February 2009 (Fri), 11:33
Thanks alot:D, do you recommend anything?

Digital Concepts makes a really interesting flash for Canon called the 952AF/CAN . Has a similar feature set as a 430EX.

http://www.sakar.com/p-1227.aspx?categoryid=144

You can find it on ebay for only $119.99 plus shipping. Seems like really good value for what you get... http://cgi.ebay.ca/ETTL-Power-Zoom-Flash-for-CANON-DIGITAL-CAMERAS_W0QQitemZ120384524667QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDi gital_Camera_Flashes?hash=item120384524667&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

Full manual mode
Full ETTL mode
Tilt and swivel head.
42GN
Built in Optical Slave
Built in White Card
Built in wide diffuser

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/23000258/Images/3/952AFDEMO.jpg