AAGGHH! I want a off camera flash

[daisychain]

Right here I am again and feeling very blonde and I can say that because I am a blonde, however, I want to buy an off camera flash for my Canon 450D and its a right mine field out there I just do not know what to buy. Now, on Damien Lovegroves website, which is brilliant if youve never been on there, he recommends 430 EX 2 or (wish I could afford it) 580 EX2 with a Stofen. Does anyone know any better please. I am itching to buy something but struggling. I would like to buy on this site but am just getting to grips with it but am I right in thinking you have to have 20 posts before you can actually do that? Many many thanks in anticipation.:lol:

[jacuff]

Visit http://strobist.blogspot.com/ and watch your blonde hair turn white.

[Leonid Photography]

This flash: $41

http://cgi.ebay.com/YN460-YN-460-Flash-Speedlite-for-Canon-500D-450D-400D_W0QQitemZ180432020533QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigit al_Camera_Flashes?hash=item2a02962435

These wireless triggers: $29
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-Set-CTR-301-P-with-PC-Sync-Port_W0QQitemZ160355552616QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item2555ef8d68

I have this combo works great and Cheap!!! Never had any problems with it so far!

[Tomi Hawk]

I stilllll love my Metz 60-CT4 .. all 3 of them .. ;)

[daisychain]

Hey thanks you guys for replying I love this site you can keep face book/msn any day.
Lynne

[daisychain]

I notice jacuff you use a 580EX 2 so would you say the 430EX 2 was ok? Have looked at the sight you said about but did not find the answer I needed.
Ta
Lynne

[gonzogolf]

If you are going to get into off camera work, save your money and dont get the canon flashes. I would recommend one for on camera event work, but save your money and get cheaper ones for off camera work because with canon you are paying for ettl, which the inexpensive radio triggers dont support anyway. Also skip the stofen. For off camera work, start with a convertible umbrella that works as shoot through and reflective.

[daisychain]

Hi gonzogolf what would you recommend then any in particular?
Ta
Lynne

[ChinoChangInc]

im using vivitar 283's and ebay triggers... it works .. but pocket wizards > ebay triggers

[jacuff]

If you read Strobist, you'll find in the past people loved the Vivitar 283/285/285HV. Now people are liking the Yongnuo flashes Em2 linked too.

It really comes to personal preference and what kind of budget you have. What works for me, may not work for you.

[gonzogolf]

The vivitar 285hvs are great. I've also heard good things about the YN and lumopro flashes. Basically what you need is any inexpensive flash with manual power controls. You will also need a light stand, pretty much any one will do. a swivel or umbrella bracket, and an umbrella. The nice thing about these is you arent doing heavy stuff so other than getting too small an umbrella quality is kind of relative. You can spend hundreds of dollars on these things, but other than build quality the functional improvement is kind of small.

[frule]

I'd go for the 580EX II or,for less $$,a used 580EX(Mark 1).These flashes are at their best when bounced and the 580EX line is a full f-stop more power.I had a 430EX and then got a 580EX MK I which I much prefer.Especially a used one will hold it's value very well,too.

[RPCrowe]

Top-Line Canon 580EX series, second choice 430EX series...

Less expensive but still full-featured: are the several Sigma 5xx Series. I have no experience with these but, several forum members use Sigmas and apparently enjoy them.

Budget but, still excellent flash units; used 420EX and if you can get one at a good price, the 550EX flash. However, I would probably select a new 430EX rather than a 550EX if you don't need to have your flash act as a master.

I like a flash that has TTL or ETTL metering, can rotate as well as tilt and has High Speed Sync HSS. I like the convenience of HSS since I frequently use my flash as fill outdoors and don't like to keep the shutter speed below 1/250 second.

Another budget flash that is excellent but, doesn't have HSS is a used (they have been discontinued) Sunpak 120J. It is unique among hotshoe type flashes in that the reflector is removable and the flash can either be used bare bulb or in a softbox. Using a softbox to soften the harsh light from a hotshoe flash reflector is like boiling ice cubes to make tea. It can be done but, it is not efficient. The 120J can be powered by onboard AA batteries or by a rechargeable battery pack. The recycle time using the battery pack is very-very fast. I used one for informal shots at wedding receptions.

Some folks like the Metz units but, I have no experience with these.

As far as modifying the flash, I prefer the Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro over the Stofen or Stofen copies. I consider the Flash Diffuser Pro as a lot more efficient and versatile than the Stofen.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/

Now, if you are planning to use your hotshoe flash as a pseudo studio strobe (a-la the Strobist doctrine). I would recommend that you get a inexpensive Chinese knock-off studio strobe which would serve you better.

For great flash infomation; visit:

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/