Best Flash Option...

I'm wondering what my best option is for a flash to use on either a 5D or a 40D.

I've got a Promaster flash right now, but it's a tempermental thing. Sometimes, it just stops working. As you might imagine, this occurs at the most inopportune moments. I've decided it's time to just go with a Canon flash.

I'd like to be able to fire it remotely, too. I don't know enough about flashes to know if that's something that's a given or not.

Any help is appreciated...

You cant go wrong with a 430exII, or a used 430ex. Dependable, better build quality than most of the third party flashes. For firing remotely you would need a triggering method, those vary greatly in price depending on which features you want to retain.

If you can wait, Canon has released the new 600EX-RT and the 440EX-RT. They have also released a ST-E3-RT. All three use radio signals so you do not need line-of-sight to trigger the flash unit with the ST-E3-RT. They are not going to be cheap, but this combo will be a great investment in the long run. Once you decide, you will need to look at large and small umbrellas for bounce or shoot through and some gels. You can check out all three new items on Canon's website.

zerovision wrote in post #14248688
If you can wait, Canon has released the new 600EX-RT and the 440EX-RT. They have also released a ST-E3-RT. All three use radio signals so you do not need line-of-sight to trigger the flash unit with the ST-E3-RT. They are not going to be cheap, but this combo will be a great investment in the long run. Once you decide, you will need to look at large and small umbrellas for bounce or shoot through and some gels. You can check out all three new items on Canon's website.

I should add that my pain threshold for a flash is about $500.00...

I would say 430EX or 430EX II. Off camera will be tricky.

zerovision wrote in post #14248688
If you can wait, Canon has released the new 600EX-RT and the 440EX-RT.

I couldn't find the 440EX-RT on Canon's site. The other two will be climbing far beyond what I'll want to spend...

zerovision wrote in post #14248724
I would say 430EX or 430EX II. Off camera will be tricky.

Given my grotesquely limited knowledge on these flashes, I need to ask: Why?

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14248663
I'm wondering what my best option is for a flash to use on either a 5D or a 40D.

I've got a Promaster flash right now, but it's a tempermental thing. Sometimes, it just stops working. As you might imagine, this occurs at the most inopportune moments. I've decided it's time to just go with a Canon flash.

I'd like to be able to fire it remotely, too. I don't know enough about flashes to know if that's something that's a given or not.

Any help is appreciated...

You can go as simple as a 430EX/EXII and a CANON ST-E2 remote trigger or a third party trigger like PIXEL KING, POCKET WIZARDS, PHOTTIX STRATTO II or ODIN. Do you want to have wireless TTL or not.
Some good reads: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1165317

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14248750
I couldn't find the 440EX-RT on Canon's site. The other two will be climbing far beyond what I'll want to spend...

Here are some good options: 580EX/EXII, 430EX/ EXII, 550EX...you dont need to have the latest offers from Canon.

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14248750
I couldn't find the 440EX-RT on Canon's site. The other two will be climbing far beyond what I'll want to spend...

Sorry, the 600 is on there, but I just found out today about the 440, but saw it on www.canonrumors.com. Check it out there. It is expected to be about $400. This would be a good starter.

having used on camera flash for several years now I no longer have much need for TTL technology. I never, ever... EVER use direct flash. I bounce off of whatever I can. TTL doest matter a whole lot if this softer style of lighting is desired. A cheap Vivitar flash can do the job in this case.

If you want direct ETTL than I can't say anything really negative about the 580 from Canon.

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14248759
Given my grotesquely limited knowledge on these flashes, I need to ask: Why?

Not to presume to answer for him but I'll chip in. There are two ways you can go off camera, with lots of options within each path. The first is to buy inexpensive radio triggers like the RF603 from YN. These and others like them are affordable, but they are manual only. No ETTL. That sounds intimidating to a novice but ETTL can be overrated for off camera use. If you want to retain ETTL then the options get more expensive and varied. The cheapest is a long ETTL cord, like those sold at flashzebra.com for around $50. You can use the canon wireless system, but you need a master flash, or STE2 transmitter to serve as your master. Lastly you can purchase wireless ETTL radio triggers which are more expensive, but there are new products being developed all the time so I wont presume to explain all of them.

Most bang for the buck - find a used Canon 550 EX which can be used as a master or a "slave" or just an on-camera flash. It will remotely control any EX flash. The older 420 EX flashes are great "slaves" and will work with any Canon "master" e-ttl flash system.

The newer 430 Ex and EX II can be used in both manual mode and in ettl mode (as "slaves") while the 420 can only be used in the e-ttl mode, but e-ttl is pretty foolproof...I use a 550 ex and three 420s and it cost me less than half (maybe less than a third) of what it would have cost me for new 580 and 430 ex II units and they haven't been anything but perfect - I use constant flash in the studio, but they are expensive and not portable and need a lot more work to get right (the E-TTL system will meter the flash for you).

I was a grip, a key grip and eventually a lighting director in the motion picture industy (as well as some TV and live theater) for over 40 years - so lighting is easy for me, but using manual flash is something I never used in all that time, so having the e-ttl system is great for me....it's just always right.

The newer aps-c cameras like the 7D and the 60D can trigger the Canon flashes (any ettl flash that can be used as a "slave") with the pop-up flash (it doesn't need to actually flash when the shutter is open - but can be used either way).

Radio flash controls have a much greater range, but I don't really see much need for using flash at 100 yards - or in fact outdoors for much of anything other than fill flash in sunlight. (where an on-camera flash is usually adequate - especially the larger 5xx series) -

From my experience, when possible, I'd prefer to use reflectors in the sun, but it is far easier with an assistant - where a flash doesn't require an assistant.

The newer stuff is of course more feature laden, but I work fast and I like using the ettl mode ...I can't understand why anyone would pay for it and not use it???

The newer Ettl II flashes take distance into consideration more than the older version 1 stuff, but if you get into using multiple flash systems, you'll figure out if you need to move a flash closer or further from your subject - use a different diffuser, etc..(umbrellas are cheap and bouncing flashes off ceilings and walls is free and where ettl shines)...you'll get perfect exposures whether you use direct flash or bounce of a ceiling or a wall to the side or behind you - the only difference is how evenly you want your lighting. Pefectly even lighting makes for boring photos - a great reason for learning to light in black and white as I did in film school.

Best of luck,
D.

Would a 580EX-II be a worthwhile option?

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14248759
Given my grotesquely limited knowledge on these flashes, I need to ask: Why?

I would say mostly due to budget for this unit. About $300 new. You could go for a 580EX which has master and slave options and more power, but this is limited to IR signal which requires line-of-sight as is the 430EX I & II. Not that IR is all bad, but it may give you fits by not triggering the flash if you have two flash units, but only the 580EX I & II or the ST-E2 can trigger the 430s with IR.

A 430EX I or II and a ST-E2 may keep you under the $500 limit and give you off camera flash.