New to Strobes Need Some Help

[NeverFollow]

So I pretty much have $200 (give or take) to spend on a flash for my xt. I know its not a lot and I will get what I pay for, but I still want to buy a flash or flashes and stay under $200. I was looking at my options and need some help.

Option 1. Buy the Sigma EF-530 DG Super Electronic Flash ($219) and call it a day

Option 2. Buy two sunpak 383's or similar and sync them via pc cable

Option 3. Buy one flash (sunpak,vivitar,sigma)

Option 4. You tell me

I really don't know which route to go, please help me.

[gonzogolf]

Option #4 Look at the buy/sell forums here and pick up a used 430ex. (or 550ex, or 580ex) The older 430ex (not the II) usually goes for around $200 here. If you get that you wont have to worry about compatibility issues going forward like has been reported with some of the third party flashes. Functionally its a great flash, just has the older style shoe mount. If you are bound and determined to go 3rd party look at the nissin flashes, have read good things about them. This is all based on using the flash on camera as well as off. If you are simply going to be off camera then pick a couple of YN or vivitar 285's

[mufutau55]

Option #1. Just get the Sigma 530 DG SUPER and you will retain all your ETTL on camera. And when you do go to Off-Camera lighting, you will still be able to use it.. Or you can just get a Canon 430EXII and be set too, but Sigma 530 Super has more power than the Canon 430EXII.

Mufutau

[ootsk]

Unless you already have some sort of ettl flash, go with that as a first choice. It's better to have one in your bag as a walk-around/bounce/offcamera-in-the-future-with-syncs setup.
You'll get much more daily use out of it than the 383's.

[btmlinedan]

are you going to be using primarily on camera flash or are you wanting to get into offcamera stuff? I started out with a manual canon 420ez flash...and now have 4 of em! (love em). there is no 'auto' feature so everything is manual, but i feel like i've only learned more from it.

[Austin.Manny]

430ex(ii) and don't look back!

But seriously, I have heard reports of 3rd Party Flashes not working with the new ETTL protocol (on the 7D). When Canon updates ETTL, they'll make sure to include Canon flashes, but most 3rd party flashes won't be able to adapt (except for certain Metz flashes which can be updated via USB Firmware).

[NeverFollow]

Thanks for the comments, I think Im going to go with the 430ex II ( a little out of range) or the Sigma EF-530 DG Super Electronic Flash. How important it eTTL? I also plan on shooting with a slave in the near future, does that change my decision?

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by NeverFollow

Thanks for the comments, I think Im going to go with the 430ex II ( a little out of range) or the Sigma EF-530 DG Super Electronic Flash. How important it eTTL? I also plan on shooting with a slave in the near future, does that change my decision?

ETTL is very important for on camera use, its the auto exposure feature plus lots more. For work off camera its less valuable.