Need help with flash purchase

[rhodesx6]

Hey guys and gals....Gonna get a flash for my 40D this Christmas. I am looking at the Canon models (430 EX etc) but am wondering what you guys who uses flash a lot reccomend. What kind of other brands do you also recommend? Most of my stuff is shot outdoors but i do shoot pics of the fam inside. Right now I am using the camera flash. Thanks for the help...Curtis

[jeromego]

you can't go wrong with either 430EX, EXII or the more expensive 580EXII

[dmward]

580EXII and an external battery pack from Flash Zebra.

Once you're comfortable with the flash tilting and twisting for bounce you can add remote wireless triggers and a lightstand.

[40Dude6aedyk]

You should get the flash that comes on a Canon 7D. You get a viewfinder, a couple of DIGIC 4 processors and an 18 Mega pixel CMOS sensor to go with the flash.

If you can't afford that flash, then get a 580EX II.

[freemanfan]

I started with the 430EX and added a Gary Fong Diffusser nice results if you can afford it the 580EXII is the finest choice for your camera great for the portrait enthusiast my next move is to mount the flash to a stand and shoot it into an umbrella. A powerful strobe that can produce scads of soft light, happy shootin... cheers

[jeromego]

You should get the flash that comes on a Canon 7D. You get a viewfinder, a couple of DIGIC 4 processors and an 18 Mega pixel CMOS sensor to go with the flash.

If you can't afford that flash, then get a 580EX II.

what flash comes on a 7D are you talking about?

[GSansoucie]

what flash comes on a 7D are you talking about?

I think he was making a joke. . .

[GSansoucie]

My vote is for the 580-EX2. You go with the 430 and you will always wish you went with the 580, in fact, my guess is your first post after receiving the 430 would go something like "Should I have gotten the 580 instead?" - ;-) {See, that was a joke }

[alduin]

If you can swing it, the 580EX II. If not, the 430EX II is a perfectly capable flash. If you then get the itch to start with off-camera flash, your next purchase can be the 580EX II so that you've then got the remote capabilities.

[ErikatSSI]

IMHO you can turn a 580 down to the level of a 430 but it doesn't work the other way. and if a 580 isn't enough time to look into other options. :)

Erik