Buying a Flash for my Canon 5d.

[evomase]

Just purchased a Canon 5D Mark II. Really looking into buying the next piece of equipment which is the flash. I have been browsing on ebay and been checking out the Canon Speedlite 580ex II. I want to shoot weddings, fashion, and nice portraits. How important is it to get such an expensive flash? Just wondering what a lot of the pro's are using out there. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Eiro]

Just purchased a Canon 5D Mark II. Really looking into buying the next piece of equipment which is the flash. I have been browsing on ebay and been checking out the Canon Speedlite 580ex II. I want to shoot weddings, fashion, and nice portraits. How important is it to get such an expensive flash? Just wondering what a lot of the pro's are using out there. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

580 is fine, you should be okay with it. In studio I personally never use the flash,I prefer my big lights. I would also look into the ABR800 ringflash for fashion and portraits. Nasty lil monster. If you have the money pick up the 580, if not get a 220 for 80 bucks or a 430 ex and you're good. One photog, I've met back 1995, told me something interesting which is so true. Its not about how much equipment you've got but the skill you always work on perfecting.

[evomase]

Thanks a lot! All very helpful advice!

[tim]

Check out the FAQs in the lighting forum (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35), that's a more appropriate place to ask the question than a business forum :)

[Nightstalker]

If you want to shoot weddings professionally then you should not buy a 580EXII - you shoukld buy TWO.

I'd also plan on buying a back up body as well.

[evomase]

If you want to shoot weddings professionally then you should not buy a 580EXII - you shoukld buy TWO.

I'd also plan on buying a back up body as well.
What would you suggest?

[egordon99]

What would you suggest?

Another 5DII :)

[Nightstalker]

Another 5DII :)

Yup - 2 x 5DMk2 would work.

Or you could consider a 7D as this would give you the ability to shoot other types of images - i.e. sports and the quality is also good.

I've tried sports with the 5DMk2 and it's not brilliant - I shot the 5DMk2 alongside a 1DMk3 and the focus tracking on the 5D was shocking in comparison. The 7D is supposed to come close to, if not equal the 1DMk3 in terms of focus tracking.

24-105 on the 5DMk2 and a 70-200 on the 7D would give you an effective range of 24 - 320mm - enough for most conditions.

Personally I shoot a 5DMk2 and have a 30D as basic backup. If I need anything more specialised I have friends and can borrow stuff that I need (see above).