What flash should I buy

Even though I like to shoot without flash I am realizing that if I do need flash then mine are just not good enough. So I am going to buy a new flash.

In my portrait photography I use studio lighting, so I will only need this flash on weddings. Based on that, what should I get.

In the last Shuttebug magazine I saw ringflashes.. are those any good?

Any recommendation is greatly appreciated!

580EX, no question. It's the most powerful, most efficient, easiest to use flash for Canon. The single button head rotate is great, the biggest advantage over the 550EX. High voltage port and CP-E3 are a great help for a portable studio (though you need another 550/580 as wireless master).

Whew.. is that right, almost $400 for that flash? Thats quite a lot.. I was expecting half of that.. whew!

Is this replacement any good or should I stay away from something like that?

http://cgi.ebay.com …07931QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

You get what you pay for... although the 580EX could be said to be overpriced you're unlikely to get anything comparable for $139. I would stick with Canon units myself for the wireless ETTL (which is great), though Metz pro units are good too.

i have a canon 550ex for sale if interested. it's the next best thing to a 580ex.

thanks for the offer, I just purchased the 580ex a few minutes ago

The Sigma EF 500DG Super is a great flash for a lot less money. Exposures are consistentand I'm happy to have the confidence to use mine when required.

It's like a 550EX but a lot cheaper. Plenty of power too. Only downside is the build quality could be better. It's not close to the Canon's.

JD

580EX ... or 2 are even better.

580 definetily rocks, just bought mine a few weeks ago and I love it , grabbed a 430 and a st-e2 after i bought that ..lol. Little bit o money but well worth it imo. So you know what I reccomend... hehe
You will love the 580

I have both the 580 and 550. I use the 580 as my primary and the 550 as my backup. Every once in a while I'll play around with my 550, then I realize how much better I like the 580!

Bob

580 is the only way to go. If you want a second flash to get more creative with your lighting, then a 430 will do the job. I'm running a 580 and two 430's and you can do a lot with that combo...

several people that I know bought aftermarket flashes and had nothing but problems with them on their Canon DSLR's. The most important aspect of photography is light, the 580EX is definitely worth every penny...

tim - maybe it's my science background, but I get very antagonistic when somebody states inarguably as to what "the best" is.

580 isn't the best, but it's a good flash obviously.

A lot of photojournalists use Quantum flashes:
They are reported to be more consistent and the interface is very user friendly IMO
Are platform independent
The reflector can be removed and used as bare bulb
The reflector is a true parabolic one
You can use a snoot or a grid with it
You can fire it more often and it takes it, while canons overheat.

In comparison, the 580 is lacking.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation
You also need a battery, a canon adapter and a cable. Sold as a package they are about a grand.

You get what you pay for.

The 580EX is the best Canon flash... I agree it has some serious drawbacks, but unless you're a serious working pro the quantum probably isn't worthwhile. Not having wireless ETTL is also a drawback, I find that really handy. The Metz units are another good option, i'm told, but also without wireless ettl.