deciding on a flash for christmas -- 430EX

so christmas is right around the corner and i know that I want more camera equipment.

I know that I want a 70-200mm f/4L lens and a flash. this flash will be used rarely however I am shooting for the college newspaper so I might need it more in the future. I am advanceding more and more with photography and I will be shooting a single photo of a semi-pro snowboarder for a snowboarding magazine next week!!! (so excited)

i dont have any sort of flash right now except for the flash on my 30D. I have used the 380EX on a film camera but other than that, i dont have any more flash experience.

I was planning on getting the 430EX flash............is there any other reason why I shouldnt? or should i get another flash?

I think that I would go with the 430 since you're not going to use it much. I have one and it's a very good flash. Still have a lot to learn with it though. As for your lense choice, why not go with the 70-200 f2.8? This is a exceptional lense and it is worth the money.

Tim

If you take a photograph with a long lens and a external flash, would you see a black shadow in you photograph?

tim1960 wrote in post #2303068
I think that I would go with the 430 since you're not going to use it much. I have one and it's a very good flash. Still have a lot to learn with it though. As for your lense choice, why not go with the 70-200 f2.8? This is a exceptional lense and it is worth the money.

Tim

should i even look at the 550EX flash or just stick with the 430?
im not going get the 70-200 f2.8 because of the extra weight and im a poor college student.

YKZ wrote in post #2303479
If you take a photograph with a long lens and a external flash, would you see a black shadow in you photograph?

* i think* If you take a photograph with a long lens and a internal flash, you would you see a black shadow in you photograph.

but im not sure about that. anyone else know the answer?

Brodog2525 wrote in post #2303756
* i think* If you take a photograph with a long lens and a internal flash, you would you see a black shadow in you photograph.

but im not sure about that. anyone else know the answer?

I use an external flash with my 70-200 2.8 and don't have a shadow.

Clark wrote in post #2303863
I use an external flash with my 70-200 2.8 and don't have a shadow.

ahh I see thnx

anyone else? should i get the 430EX or 550 or 580 or something else?????


i just got another email about the magazine shoot and i might need to buy the flash before christmas!!!

anyone else?

i have a 420ex.. and it works fine.. i picked it up here for 100 bucks..

the 430 should do fine for your needs

ok thanks everyone i will get the 430EX

Brodog2525 wrote in post #2303756
* i think* If you take a photograph with a long lens and a internal flash, you would you see a black shadow in you photograph.

but im not sure about that. anyone else know the answer?

Yes, that is correct as the pop up flash is too close to the lens and casts a shadow.

Agree with the above. I use my 420EX with my 70-200 f/4L and don't result in a shadow. Never tried it with the popup flash, because I rarely use it.

The Sigma 500 Super is more powerful, has a built-in slave, and is cheaper than the 430EX using the psnov code at B&H ($205 vs. $230). It has E-TTL II as well, so it's fully compatible with the Canon metering system. I'm thinking about picking up a second one.

I have Both a 420EX and a 550 EX and I have used the 550EX with a 70-300mm and dont have very many shadows as long as my focal lenght is no to Big....Like 225mm or less.