Flash Noobie..please help!

[adigitalcure]

Ok..so i pretty much know NOTHING about camera flashes besides how to turn them on and off..haha. So im gonna be buying my first Flash this week for my Canon 300d.

I want to get something pretty nice so i don't really have to upgrade over and over again. Im really interested in the sigma ef-500 super flash from the reviews and the price. Iv just heard the manual booklet for the Sigma is AWFUL..soooooo heres my big question so is the sigma kinda out of a leauge for somebody with no flash experiance? or should i just get the canon 420ex(can't afford the 550 right now)....??? any suggestions?

also any good sites/forums on flash use??....
thanks for any help..

[DocFrankenstein]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=64504

Sticky is your friend. I've read it 3 times and still don't understand most of it. It helps once you actually have a flash and use it.

From what I've heard, the sigma 500 something is good.

But I have very little experience with auto flashes... I only used vivitar 285 on manual. ;)

[DocFrankenstein]

And since I'm in the market for a dedicated flash right now, I might as well give you some links:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70346&highlight=sigma+flash
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=61167&highlight=sigma+flash

[ajbalazic]

Here's the link for the Sigma EF-500 Super flash manual. Read it for yourself. It' s no more complex than any other flash of this calibre. I just ordered a ef500 super for my 300d. It should come sometime this week. I hope I made the right decision. I'v really concerned about the E-TTL compatability. I have a feeling there is going to be a serious learning curve.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3257

[Dchemist]

I have used a 420EX on my G3 for a couple years and now I use it on a 20D. The flash performance is dramtically better than the built-in flashes (the 420 is also pretty simple to use). I also use a stofen diffuser when I am closer to my subject. I didn't find the cost of the 420 to be out of line with its value. I have no experience with the Sigma.

[sp00g3]

Save the extra 150 and get a 550EX.. Trust me.

[DavidEB]

I have a sigma 500 super, and it works fine on my rebel. The manual is not great, but neither is the canon 550ex manual. If you buy a complex flash of any brand you will spend a lot of time trying to figure it out.

Here's why you should get a complex flash over the 420ex:
1) ability to use as master in multi-flash setup
2) ability to set flash exposure compensation with the flash rather than the camera (key for rebel)
3) the sigma 500 super is about same price as the 420ex
4) slightly better light output than 420 (Guide Numbers are 42, 50, 55, etc...)

Here's why you should get a 420ex as your first off-camera flash:
1) cheaper than canon 550ex (but if you're willing to buy sigma, this doesn't count)
2) can use as slave when you later buy more complex flash -- nothing lost (except slight drop G.N.)
3) you can learn to use basics of external flash without suffering through complex manual and other functions that you don't need until you get second flash

Here's why you should get any external flash at all...
1) moves flash further off axis of lens - photos less flat, less red-eye -- improves pics
2) allows bounce flash, off-camera flash (with cord or other device) - HUGE improvement in pics
3) stronger light output than on-camera flash
4) allows high-speed sync (some models) -- eg, shutter speeds faster than X-sync speed
and other reasons that I've forgotten

I also have a 420ex as a slave (I bought it first). it took me a while to figure out how to make the combination work. The sigma allows wireless flash either with or without setting ratio (A:(B:C)). I found that if I didn't set the ratio, then the 420ex fires at full power, but if I set the ratio, even at 1:1, it works fine. This has been the only problem I've had. I think the build quality of the sigma 500 super and the canon 420ex is similar. I haven't had any problems with either.


good luck,

David