Best flash for the buck?

[kidfiji]

Just like how the 50mm f/1.8 lenses gives you the best bang for the buck, can anyone tell me what flash for my 400D gives me good results without burning a hole through my wallet?

[Green Li]

Just like how the 50mm f/1.8 lenses gives you the best bang for the buck, can anyone tell me what flash for my 400D gives me good results without burning a hole through my wallet?

I see at least three options here: Canon 430EX II (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-speedlite-430ex-ii-flash/), Metz 48 AF (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/metz-mecablitz-48-af-1-flash/), Sigma 530DG Super. They are not the cheapest, but I'd say if you go for something cheaper then you might find yourself disappointed at some point.

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-speedlite-430ex-ii-flash/images/small/canon-speedlite-430ex-ii-flash-1.jpg (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-speedlite-430ex-ii-flash/)http://photo-tips-online.com/review/metz-mecablitz-48-af-1-flash/images/small/metz-mecablitz-48-af-1-flash-1.jpg (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/metz-mecablitz-48-af-1-flash/)

[tenoverthenose]

420ex is a great on camera flash that's inexpensive. For manual, I still love my SunPak 383's.

[IamKP]

I'm having a similar dilema.

I just can't decide if I want the 430EX II or the 580EX II.

[katodog]

Best bang for the buck: Digital Concepts Pro E-TTL. You can find them on eBay for around $120 or so. Go for that one or the Bower (or whatever company has their name on it), they're all pretty much the same.


DC Pro Flash (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-AF-E-TTL-POWER-ZOOM-BOUNCE-FLASH-FOR-CANON-EOS-SLR_W0QQitemZ110377889754QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigita l_Camera_Flashes?hash=item110377889754&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50)


Bower (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-DIGITAL-E-TTL-Bounce-Zoom-Flash-for-CANON-EOS-SLR_W0QQitemZ120399094763QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigita l_Camera_Flashes?hash=item120399094763&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50)

[Green Li]

I'm having a similar dilema.

I just can't decide if I want the 430EX II or the 580EX II.

Any chance this Canon Speedlite 430EX II vs. Canon Speedlite 580EX II review (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/) can help with you dilema? :)

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/images/small/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii-4.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/images/small/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii-11.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/images/small/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii-15.jpg (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/)

[Green Li]

Best bang for the buck: Digital Concepts Pro E-TTL. You can find them on eBay for around $120 or so. Go for that one or the Bower (or whatever company has their name on it), they're all pretty much the same.


DC Pro Flash (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-AF-E-TTL-POWER-ZOOM-BOUNCE-FLASH-FOR-CANON-EOS-SLR_W0QQitemZ110377889754QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigita l_Camera_Flashes?hash=item110377889754&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)


Bower (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-DIGITAL-E-TTL-Bounce-Zoom-Flash-for-CANON-EOS-SLR_W0QQitemZ120399094763QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigita l_Camera_Flashes?hash=item120399094763&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

Do you have a hands-on experience with the Bower flash? I hear mixed things being said about it. Is it reliable?

[IamKP]

Any chance this Canon Speedlite 430EX II vs. Canon Speedlite 580EX II review (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/) can help with you dilema? :)



ahh, thanks! :)

[katodog]

I have hands-on with the Digital Concepts version. It's my main flash, to be honest with you. I use it all the tiem, and haven't had any issues with it yet. I use it off-camera with cheap eBay triggers and it works flawlessly every time. I use it on-camera, and it works perfectly. The built-in diffuser is really nice, and so far I haven't been disappointe4d by any aspect of the flash. I have a 550EX, and don't like it as much because of the lock it has for the up/down. Plus, the DC flash has a better range of motion, both up and down, and side to side.


Unless you can find a 430EX for $120, the Digital Concepts or similar are really great units. They've got pretty much the same functionality as the 430EX, just in a different package. The only thing you won't find on the DC flash is a port for wired use. But, with wireless triggers you won't need it.

[msowsun]

Do you have a hands-on experience with the Bower flash? I hear mixed things being said about it. Is it reliable?


This seems like a very good, fully featured flash for the money. (about $110 - $140)


This flash is (or was) also marketed under many other names:


Digital Concepts 952AF/CAN
Sakar 952AF/CAN
Opteka EF-600 DG
Vivitar DF400MZ
Soligor DG-420 Z
BOWER SFD926C

It is probably the only flash in this price range with a backlit LCD and all the other usefull features.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/Newer/Opteka600flash.jpg


It is fairly easy to do a google search for tests and reviews on these flashes. Here are some from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-EF-600-EO-TTL-Digital-Camera/dp/B001GD3Z02/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t (http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-EF-600-EO-TTL-Digital-Camera/dp/B001GD3Z02/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t)



http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41A7f1vw0xL._SL500_AA280_.jpghttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51g3WsYCpfL._AA280_.jpg


http://www.sakar.com/images/resources/detail/952AF-CAN/sized/952af%20front%20-%20HR.jpghttp://www.sakar.com/images/resources/detail/952AF-CAN/sized/952%20AF%20back-%20HR.jpg
http://www.jasonleephotos.com/reviews/images/VivitarDF400MZ-back.jpghttp://www.jasonleephotos.com/reviews/images/VivitarDF400MZ-front.jpg
http://static.zoovy.com/img/goshotcamera/W272-H320-Bffffff/lighting/flashes/bower/sfd_926/sfd_926_gsc.jpg

[kidfiji]

thanks a lot guys, i think i'll be going with the flash in the above post. $100 seems like a great deal after reading some of the reviews.

[NesianStyle]

thanks a lot guys, i think i'll be going with the flash in the above post. $100 seems like a great deal after reading some of the reviews.

I'm opted for one of the ones that msowsun recommended, can't wait for it to get here either.

[01sesedan]

How about the Nissin Di622? Been searching some but wanted to get updated feedback on it.

Anyone else uses the flash that msowsun provided? Would like to get your thoughts on them also...

Thanks...

[MikeMcL]

Those bower and similar flashes are reliable. i have messed with them before. kinda basic and a bit cheaper feeling, but flash is flash, to a point.

[team haymaker]

i just purchased one of the vivitar DF400MZ off ebay (new) for $89 canadian. good to me since theres no retailers that carry them here.

[SUB1IM388]

i have the digital concepts flash it works great not like the 430EXII but still gets the job done it has a slave function that will fire when the first flash is seen so that works ok id recomend for a starter but i still bought a 430 exII cause i wanted more control

[01sesedan]

The prices on the ones msowsun indicates, range from..

Vivitar DF400MZ $89.99
DC-952/CAN $133
Bower SFD35C $76
Bower SFD680C $99.99
Bower SFD926C $114.95

How about the Sigma EF-530 DG ST, been reading up on them and seen them go for $149.95.

Do you think it'll perform better than the lower priced ones?

Your thoughts, please...

[SUB1IM388]

with the sigma i think is only has full power and half power setting nothing in between but im not sure and i dont think it works with E-ttl i know the 952AF has 1/1 through 1/16 power settings

[MT Stringer]

I have a Sigma EF-500 DG Super and it will do all that you would want. Manual power settings go down from 1/1 to 1/128 power. Bounce, rotate, zoom w/flash panel for 17mm coverage. You can fire it as a slave from the camera flash or a hot shoe flash.

Check out the specs here (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3257):
The instruction manual is on the same page so you can download it and read up on the features.

I think you would be pleased.
Remember, that is for the DG Super model and not the ST model. You don't want the ST model.

Good luck
Mike

[thejager]

didnt sunpak make a great cheap one?

[valkabit]

Any chance this Canon Speedlite 430EX II vs. Canon Speedlite 580EX II review (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/) can help with you dilema? :)

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/images/small/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii-4.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/images/small/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii-11.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/images/small/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii-15.jpg (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/)

That link was very helpful, I was on the fence about this exact issue myself. Thanks

[Jon Foster]

I have a Sigma EF-500 DG Super and it will do all that you would want. Manual power settings go down from 1/1 to 1/128 power. Bounce, rotate, zoom w/flash panel for 17mm coverage. You can fire it as a slave from the camera flash or a hot shoe flash.

Good luck
Mike

I've got the EF-500 DG Super as well and it performs just fine. I'm just starting to use it as a wireless unit in manual mode but so far it's done a great job. I'll probably pick up one more if I can find them. If not, the newer 530 model will work too.

Jon.

[Nathan...]

I'm thinking of buying my first flash but I'm still unsure of which one to go with. I have been looking at this here (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130315418289) (which is one from above - bower SFD926C) and I know it is ETTL but does that also work for off camera? If not does it have manual control?

I've also been looking at the nissin Di622, is that one only ETTL aswell?

Sorry for sounding like a noob, any help is much appreciated.

[AginKajun]

I have a Sigma EF-500 DG Super and it will do all that you would want. Manual power settings go down from 1/1 to 1/128 power. Bounce, rotate, zoom w/flash panel for 17mm coverage. You can fire it as a slave from the camera flash or a hot shoe flash.

Check out the specs here (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3257):
The instruction manual is on the same page so you can download it and read up on the features.

I think you would be pleased.
Remember, that is for the DG Super model and not the ST model. You don't want the ST model.

Good luck
Mike

As Mike says great flash for the money. Best extra is built in optical slave if you need to set it off with another flash. Main drawback if you use it as much as I do is the HSS function drops out if you drop below the HSS shutter speed and you have to reset it. That's why mine most of the time gathers dust in the cabinet.