Which speedlight for Strobist?

TMR Design wrote in post #5720168
The person that is using his 580EX II for a strobist setup more than likely did not purchase the flash for that specific reason. If they did then it was foolish overspending. They either got it for on (or off) camera E-TTL or as part of a larger wireless E-TTL system.

I use my 5 580EX for strobist work and I don't consider myself foolish... Ok Ok I use ETTL for wedding work but I still like the ease of use of the wonderful 580EX's...



Using manual flash indoors the wireless feature of Canon's 580EX line makes for fast setups...

pcunite wrote in post #5720279
I use my 5 580EX for strobist work and I don't consider myself foolish... Ok Ok I use ETTL for wedding work but I still like the ease of use of the wonderful 580EX's...



Using manual flash indoors the wireless feature of Canon's 580EX line makes for fast setups...

Understood, but in general, for most people that know they are putting together a kit (a la strobist) and will be shooting in manual mode are on a budget and have to forego all the cool interface and setup features found in something like a 580EX.

I don't consider you fooling, as yo did say you also use E-TTL. Even if you rarely used it, if it is something you need or want then you already have a real reason to go with a Canon Speedlite.

Interesting that 580exii is topping the list. The benefits for this flash really shine with E-TTL. I can't see why it's so popular off camera.

I voted for the SB-28. I can get 5 of these for the price of a 580exii.

martinsmith wrote in post #5720377
Interesting that 580exii is topping the list. The benefits for this flash really shine with E-TTL. I can't see why it's so popular off camera.

I voted for the SB-28. I can get 5 of these for the price of a 580exii.

I have not searched diligently but I think it is the most powerful and recycles very fast... Some days I wish I had Q-Flashes.

martinsmith wrote in post #5720377
Interesting that 580exii is topping the list.

It's topping the list because online forums are usually populated by people using the latest and greatest, IMO. I don't mean that as a dig at the users or the 580EX II, it's just a fact of life.

(Five years ago the 10D would top a poll of favourite Canon DSLR's, seven years ago it would be the D30. If you asked now, it would likely be the 40D. Why? Because it's the current model and it's the most affordable "serious" Canon DSLR. See my point?)

I always assumed strobist meant getting the best bang for the buck. 580EX II strobist? Will Broncolor be the next strobist setup?

No, it's an add-on, but I highly recommend it for manual shooting.

I don't think so, but don't know what the PW voltage limits are.

breal101 wrote in post #5720682
I always assumed strobist meant getting the best bang for the buck. 580EX II strobist? Will Broncolor be the next strobist setup?

I'd bet people are just voting for the 580EX II because its the best Canon flash, not because it meets the needs of most "strobist" shooters.

i'm looking to add a Sunpak 383 to my budget setup in a couple of weeks

DDCSD wrote in post #5720790
I'd bet people are just voting for the 580EX II because its the best Canon flash, not because it meets the needs of most "strobist" shooters.

Maybe they are confusing light weight portable kit with strobist. Lots of strobists are using strobes they found in yard sales. I voted for the Sunpack 383 which is expensive to some of the minimalist types.

My understanding of the strobist concept is that it's fundamentally focused on being able to do high quality, professional looking lighting 'on the cheap' and to demonstrate how inexpensive older, manual flashes suddenly became a powerful tool and could be used to build a kit for little to no money.

TMR Design wrote in post #5721442
My understanding of the strobist concept is that it's fundamentally focused on being able to do high quality, professional looking lighting 'on the cheap' and to demonstrate how inexpensive older, manual flashes suddenly became a powerful tool and could be used to build a kit for little to no money.

Exactly, I think of it as "bang for your buck". The 580EX II is great, but I've got 4 540EZ's that I have accumulated and spent about $100 total on. All have cases and one even came with a Magic Lantern Guide. A quick addition of a 1/8" port and I'm all set. Heck, I can even throw one on my camera and use the AF assist lamp if I need to, or use them on my old film Rebel.

TMR Design wrote in post #5721442
My understanding of the strobist concept is that it's fundamentally focused on being able to do high quality, professional looking lighting 'on the cheap' and to demonstrate how inexpensive older, manual flashes suddenly became a powerful tool and could be used to build a kit for little to no money.

With Joe McNally using gobs of SB-800 I think it means "hey look I don't have to carry all this heavy equipment any more!!!"

For me I don't have to shoot ISO 100 to get clean images. I try for ISO 200 and if I don't get the power I need I go for ISO 400. Of course if your over-powering the sun you still the need the big lights...

P.S.
I am referring to staged shooting...

I don't think Joe McNally would be insulted if I said that I don't consider what he does to be in check with the strobist mentality. He can and does go out with a bag full of SB-800's. Cost and budget are not an issue for him and he probably doesn't pay full price or doesn't pay anything for all that Nikon gear.

TMR Design wrote in post #5721565
I don't think Joe McNally would be insulted if I said that I don't consider what he does to be in check with the strobist mentality. He can and does go out with a bag full of SB-800's. Cost and budget are not an issue for him and he probably doesn't pay full price or doesn't pay anything for all that Nikon gear.

Very true. I think I detected a slight change at the strobist sight. David's favorite flash is the SB-800

At first it seemed to focus on how to get by... now it is what to buy... and "hey all these guys are really listening to us... lets sell them something!"

So I think the new definition of a strobist is just someone who is using off camera speedlites...