EXTERNAL FLASH - how good is it???

hey there,

i know this question is far from new.

but can someone here give me an insight to getting an external flash for for 400S (XTI Rebel)

i looked up a couple of web sites to obtain specs

but i just dont know if i need to pay so much for a higher end one.

i will be using my cam to take pictures at nightclubs and night venues around sydney city!!!!!!!!!

Canon Speedlite 220 EX Flash Unit
<LI class=L>E-TTL Automatic Flash Exposure Control, FE Lock and FP flash with ETTL cameras <LI class=L>TTL Autoflash metering with non E-TTL <LI class=L>Flash Exposure Confirmation Signal lights for 2 seconds <LI class=L>Powered by 4 AA-size alkaline, lithium or NiCd batteries
Price: document.write(getProd​uctPrice("$","\,",2,".​",false, true, 550,"inc GST within Australia","inc GST within Australia","Internatio​nal Orders",1,true));$242.​00
document.write(getPric​eInfo(550,"inc GST within Australia","inc GST within Australia","Internatio​nal Orders",1,true));inc GST within Australia
QTY:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.digitalcame​rawarehouse.com.au/pro​d550.htm

IMAGE LINK: http://www.digitalcame​rawarehouse.com.au/pro​d3553.htm

Canon Speedlite 430 EX Flash Unit

IMAGE LINK: http://www.digitalcame​rawarehouse.com.au/pro​d1752.htm

Canon Speedlite 580 EX Flash Unit

Hi Aussiecat,

welcome to the forum

To answer your question ... a good external flash makes a hell of a difference in your images.

When is a flash good?
- When it allows automatic mode (complete EX line of flashes)
- When it is significantly stronger than the built-in flash (yes for 430 EX and 580 EX, no for 220 EX)
- When you can tilt/swivel the head to get indirect lighting (yes for 430 EX and 580 EX, no for 220 EX)

So ... to me the 220 EX doesn't look like much of an improvement over the built-in flash.

However, if the price is very important for you, take a look at the Sigma DG 500 super ... it has similar features to the 430 EX but is cheaper.
You might also find a supplier who still has the discontinued 420 EX and 550 EX flashes that were the predecessors to the 430EX and 580 EX. There also once was a 380 EX flash that can tilt (but not swivel) and might be found cheaply on eBay. However, many people here would advise against buying a used flash.

Also take a look here: EOS Flash important links to find an answer to all the questions you don't even know yet you have about EOS flashes...

Best regards,
Andy

Great flash reviews from many but I still have a couple of 550EX(s) and a 420EX to use as a slave. They serve my purpose and maybe one day I'll get the 580EX - that's a BIG "MAYBE".

If I was shooting night scenes and night clubs, fast glass would be more my taste with no flash. Say, 50mm 1.4.

thanks guys

i think ill go for the 430.

it sells for $430 in an aussie store

cheers

samnz wrote in post #2712068
Great flash reviews from many but I still have a couple of 550EX(s) and a 420EX to use as a slave. They serve my purpose and maybe one day I'll get the 580EX - that's a BIG "MAYBE".

If I was shooting night scenes and night clubs, fast glass would be more my taste with no flash. Say, 50mm 1.4.

samnz wrote in post #2712068
Great flash reviews from many but I still have a couple of 550EX(s) and a 420EX to use as a slave. They serve my purpose and maybe one day I'll get the 580EX - that's a BIG "MAYBE".

If I had a 550 EX, I wouldn't see much need to change to a 580 EX either.

Best regards,
Andy

hey aussiecat which state you in?
i got my 430ex for 380
http://photobuff.com.a​u …Path=9_10&produ​cts_id=121

the guy is in SE suburbs of Victoria.

You can't go wrong with the 430EX, especially if you don't do a lot of bright sunlight fill flash or large venue bounce flashing (churches).

That being said, I have to agree with the recommendation for the 50 1.4. The ability to use as much of the small amount of ambient light already in the nightclub as possible will give you images a better clubbing feel. Even if you do add flash - it will still behoove you to use it in moderation and "drag the shutter".

Aussiecat,

you might be a bit more specific about the kind of pictures you want to take in nightclubs.

If you don't want to take portraits, but maybe full body shots or something like that, then the 50/1.4 might be too long and something like the Sigma 30/1.4 EX or Canon 28/1.8 might be better suited. If you plan to do something like going from table to table to take portraits for money, then it might be useful to look at a flash bracket as well. It's not always possible to bounce if you don't have anything to bounce your flash from.

Best regards,
Andy

this is the difference: http://www.dpreview.co​m …ws/canoneos30d/​page22.asp

scroll down and you will see three pictures of a lady, one direct on camera flash, one direct 430ex flash, and finally 430ex bounced.

Get the 580EX and call it a day...

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …eedlite-Flash-Review.aspx

I have the 430 and love it. I just did not have need for the 580...

I was reading a piece about ttl flashes on the shootsmarter.com site, they say that using a 580 on a 30d, 5d or better the ttl works good. They recommend 6 flashes, the 580, the N brand, a Promaster 7500 dx (which $ for $ I'd rather have a 430ex), a couple of the Metz units and a Quantum T5d. Their top recommend unit being the Metz 54mz, which again I'd prefer to have the 580 EX, it just seems to do more especially when using it to master a 420 or a 430 as slve units.

Jack

I got the 430 for the double rebate. It is a beautifully manufactured piece of equipment. I cannot use my on board flash at all with the 24-70 on the camera. So, I have no choice but to use the external flash. But either the 580 or the 430 will do the job. Too bad it's so much more expensive where you live.

hey mate

im in sydney city

wow

$380

how can i do that?

ezza wrote in post #2712185
hey aussiecat which state you in?
i got my 430ex for 380
http://photobuff.com.a​u …Path=9_10&produ​cts_id=121

the guy is in SE suburbs of Victoria.

i see
.

i have been afraid to go below 1/45 ish

at night clubs etc

but it seems if u have flash it freezes the main subject and gives motion in backdrop.

sounds good in theory but i have shacky hands at times i think

TheSteveMadden wrote in post #2712544
You can't go wrong with the 430EX, especially if you don't do a lot of bright sunlight fill flash or large venue bounce flashing (churches).

That being said, I have to agree with the recommendation for the 50 1.4. The ability to use as much of the small amount of ambient light already in the nightclub as possible will give you images a better clubbing feel. Even if you do add flash - it will still behoove you to use it in moderation and "drag the shutter".