Flash purchase anr remote question

[Matthew_h]

Hello

I've got a 300D and want to get a better flash than the onboard one. My old flash unit from my 35mm camera doesn't work due to firing voltages so need to get a new one.

I had been looking at the 580EX (best price seemed to be £290) but I have found a few 550EXs left at £230. This seems a better option atm.

What I want to know is:

I will be doing a good bit of remote flash work for Mountain Bike photography so what would be the best set up?

One 550EX and a sync cable (under £300)
One 550EX and the ST E3 remote (about £380)
Two 550EXs (£460)
or something different altogether?

I'm not made of money but I prefer to get the right stuff first time round rather than regret a half hearted purchase.

Can anyone provide their opinion or if any of you know of better UK prices then I'm perfectly happy to hear about them ;)

[scottbergerphoto]

If you can afford the 2nd 550EX buy it. It is much more useful then the STE2. I use 3 550EX's or 2 550EX's and a 420EX.
Here are some examples:
http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/ayana_bailey

[Ian Parkin]

Matthew
I've recently bought a 580 EX, 420 EX, MR-14 EX and a ST-E2 and i'm delighted with the full set-up
I use the st-e2 on camera and the 580 and 480 as slaves almost all the time (when needing flash)
With the ring flash I use one of the others as background illum
It all works faultlessly
But if i could have found a 550 EX at that price i'm sure i would have bought that instead of the 580
Ian

[Matthew_h]

Thanks for the advice. Would a 550EX and a second 420EX be a good comprimise?

Cracking shots there Scott, she is a very interesting subject

Ian, I notice you are in Sheffield. Me too. Whereabouts are you? We could meet up and ou could offer me some advice maybe?

[Jon]

550 and 420 would be a good start if you can't swing two 550s. You'll lose a tad on flexibility, but not much. That would give you room to get the off-camera cord.

[Matthew_h]

Cheers Jon

I picked up a 550 today so will play with that. Would have had two but they only had 1 left. Think waiting to find another would be best