550ex and 430ex II or other options? please help

Hi, I don't have much experience in photography especially flash photography.

I have now a canon 430EX II and would like to explore some off camera flash. I do have 50D and thinking if I should get 550EX as a master. I'd like to do some portraits with it mostly along with 28-75mm. (I can get 550EX for ~$250)

I'm not sure how much more info you need to help me out but should I go for 550EX or wait for a little bit for 580/580EX II?

Another option I can also see is another 430EX II and buy some cheap flash triggers like cactus/CTR-301P. (I'd like to keep it simple so i picked these 2 for transmitter/receiver with no additional cords/cables)

I've done some research between 430EX II and 550EX but not did not find what I'm looking for. Will I be somewhat downgrading if I get 550EX?

Please help. Thanks in advance.

are you looking to retain ETTL?

dave

I'm not sure how much ETTL help me but I like what my 430EX II does. I'm mostly (almost always) on automatic mode with the zoom and ETTL on my 430EXII. Haven't done so much manual yet, ds I guess I'd like to retain ETTL as much as possible.


And also I got the 50D for FPS rate so I may have to use continous High Speed Continuous mode for kids once in a while (but not often) and I'm not sure how much difference recycle time in real life.

well there are there are a couple options here.

1.) purchase a master flash and use that on camera to trigger off camera ( you need 550, 580, 580exII in order to control the 430exII)~ $225-350

2.) purchase radio poppers or new pocketwizards, very expensive though~$ a lot but might be worth it for you

3.) use long ettl cord from camera to 430exII to control the 430exII off camera.~ $50 for 25ft cable

dave

Thanks dave.

1 -- it's my first option but don't exactly know If it's worth going for 580EX II for +100
2 -- I like the pocketwizard mini and flex for ~$400, I'll ended up with just 1 flash ( and only have $280 right now)
3 -- I'd like it to be wireless

Thanks again

your welcome

dave

Buy a meter and learn manual flash.

The 580EX II and the 430EX II really like each other very much. I use the 580EX II on my
1d Mark III as a master and the 430 on a tripod with umbrella as a slave. ETTL and I use the power ratio controlled by the 580 to equalize the amount of light between the flashes for no shadows and a nice illumination. Great arrangement for portraits, brides and even formal group shots.

Thanks guys. I will wait a little longer and read more see what I really want/need. And I do definitely need to learn manual flash.