Tell me why I should by a flash!

Yeah that's what I'm into now as well. I don't use 'em with Speedlites though. Since they're non-ETTL anyway, I got a bunch of Vivitars. This way it's not so much of a loss if (or more likely when) they go crashing to the floor.

Get the 580EX II. There are MANY MANY features that are missing from the 430EX. I may not use all of them now, but it sure is nice to know they are there if I need them one day.

The 580EX is also a great flash but it is missing a few nice features as well:

Threaded PC socket (580EX II only)
External Automatic Flash Exposure Sensor (580EX II only) http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tArticleAct&art​icleID=946
Control Wheel
Pull-out catchlight panel
Flash head tilts downwards
Flash head swivels full 180° both left and right
stroboscopic (MULTI) flash
Master Slave Capability
Flash exposure bracketing (FEB)
High voltage input port
Metal Hotshoe (580EX II only)
quick release mechanism (580EX II only)
silent recycle (580EX II only)
Flash Menu in Camera with 40D, 1D III, XSi, etc (580EX II only)

msowsun wrote in post #6081239
Get the 580EX II. There are MANY MANY features that are missing from the 430EX. I may not use all of them now, but it sure is nice to know they are there if I need them one day.

The 580EX is also a great flash but it is missing a few nice features as well:

Threaded PC socket (580EX II only)
External Automatic Flash Exposure Sensor (580EX II only) http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tArticleAct&art​icleID=946
Control Wheel
Pull-out catchlight panel
Flash head tilts downwards
Flash head swivels full 180° both left and right
stroboscopic (MULTI) flash
Master Slave Capability
Flash exposure bracketing (FEB)
High voltage input port
Metal Hotshoe (580EX II only)
quick release mechanism (580EX II only)
silent recycle (580EX II only)
Flash Menu in Camera with 40D, 1D III, XSi, etc (580EX II only)

I think the latter 4 features can now be found in the 430EXII as well.

Before I bought my flash a few months ago, I always had to conform to the surrounding light (or the lack of it). Now, *I* control my own light.

Get at least one for now, and have at least two in the future, for flashes are indispensable. Even if you're into the PJ style where natural light is mostly used, having a flash gives you the flexibility for when the ambient just doesn't cut it.

Ok so now I have a question for you flash experts. I have seen alot of people talking about the Vivitar 285HV, Sunpak 383 etc. What is the benefit of getting the 430EX/II, 580EX/II over any of these. I am unfortunately like a lot of people here where my funding is rather small so I cannot necessary afford to spend the $300+ on a single flash. So something like the Vivitar 285HV that costs $80+ would be a perfect flash solution, or so it would seem?

What is the benefit of a Canon over a 3rd party.

The Canons' give you ETTL autoflash. The Sunpak 383 and Vivitar 285HV don't.

If you plan to use them off camera, triggered by wireless radio remotes or PC cords, you will have to use them in manual anyway, so the Sunpak or Vivitar might be a good idea.

If you plan to only use them on the camera, then ETTL makes your flash exposure metering a whole lot easier.

gregnash wrote in post #6091381
Ok so now I have a question for you flash experts. I have seen alot of people talking about the Vivitar 285HV, Sunpak 383 etc. What is the benefit of getting the 430EX/II, 580EX/II over any of these. I am unfortunately like a lot of people here where my funding is rather small so I cannot necessary afford to spend the $300+ on a single flash. So something like the Vivitar 285HV that costs $80+ would be a perfect flash solution, or so it would seem?

What is the benefit of a Canon over a 3rd party.

Two words. Build quality.

The Canon flashes are built like little tanks. The vivitars are big with lots of cheap, ill fitted plastic. They zoom externally, so that entire mechanism is exposed and vulnerable.

I cannot speak of the sunpaks.

I have dropped by 580s on tile floors, concrete, etc, and I pick them up and they fire.

Sweet.

Reasons to buy a flash, 430EX at minimum

- Fill flash in daylight
- Help with catch lights in the eyes when shooting for a portrait
- Help reducing nasty shadows
- AF assist in low light (a 50 1.4 can do its best but without enough light for the camera/lens to focus, it will still have difficulties focusing)
- Creative use of flash, bouncing/gels

Reasons not to own a flash
- Can't think of any

Even if you get a Sunpack or any other flash, it will just open a whole new world into your photography!

Ok so the Sunpak and Vivitar DO NOT have ETTL for auto flash adjustment which means that I would have to manually adjust the power of the flash for the distance that I am shooting? Is that correct?

What about something like the Sigma 530DG? Basically, if I get a flash I want to make sure it is the right thing. I will be doing some portraiture but I will also be using it to shoot cars, etc. at night which I will try to bounce the flash if necessary. From what I can see the Vivitar 285HV and Sunpak 383 do not pivot left to right, only up and down.

The Sigma 530DG is a cheaper alternative to the Canon flashes and they work almost exactly the same as a Canon. Many people go with a Sigma, but many others don't like the build quality.

The Sunpak 383 and Vivitar 285HV both have an AUTO mode that makes exposure easier but not foolproof. Essentially you match up the ISO and aperture settings on the flash with what is set on the camera. (just make sure your shutter speed is less than your max sync speed)

Here is a good review of the Sunpak 383 that explains really well how the flash is designed to be used. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=242847

Thanks everybody for the great answers! You have really motivated me to buy a flash now! I analyzed my pictures on the computer and I now realize that at least 15-20% of all my pictures would have improved with a flash. Probably I will discover that it is more than that when I buy one... But I think that when I buy one it will be a 430EX for a start, because the 580 is quite expensive for me (I am becoming a student this fall), and I still like the idea of photographing only with available light. I am eager to find out what a flash will do to my photographing, and I will tell you when I know!

Get three flashes, some umbrellas, a back drop, light stands, remote shutter cable, tripod. Then you will really have some fun.

Daniel_Linner wrote in post #6094040
Thanks everybody for the great answers! You have really motivated me to buy a flash now! I analyzed my pictures on the computer and I now realize that at least 15-20% of all my pictures would have improved with a flash. Probably I will discover that it is more than that when I buy one... But I think that when I buy one it will be a 430EX for a start, because the 580 is quite expensive for me (I am becoming a student this fall), and I still like the idea of photographing only with available light. I am eager to find out what a flash will do to my photographing, and I will tell you when I know!

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html