Please recommend an external flash for XT

[Daisy57b]

I was looking at the Speedlights...what's the difference? The 430EX looks good to me...

[Kelly Grannell]

Metz 54 MZ 4 is my current flash of choice. Even better than Canon's 580 EX.
It even has fill-in light so when you do bounce the flash to the ceiling, you'll still have a direct flash to fill-in directly on the subject.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/data/30/297452_1_.jpg

[ndelaware]

THe 430 is an excellent flash for the XT. The main difference between the 430 and the 580 is flash power, recycle time, power consumption, and a couple of hundred dollars.

Specs for the 430: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelTechSpecsAct&fcategoryid=141&modelid=11923

Specs for the 580: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelTechSpecsAct&fcategoryid=141&modelid=10514

[Kelly Grannell]

yes, but the Metz 54 MZ 4 offers more than 580 EX and the price is only US$320 (I believe the 430 EX is US$300?)

[ndelaware]

Kelly, I wasn't comparing the Speedlites to the Metz. I was just answering her question about the different Speedlites. The 430 is about $225 after the $15 rebate and the 580 is about $360 after a $20 rebate.

edit: Oops, forgot to add the Metz 54 is about $290. I got all these prices at B&H Photo.

[Kelly Grannell]

DOH !!! I gotta learn how to read carefully.

[pmcf]

I bought the 430EZ for mine - very pleased with it, plenty of controls and powerful enough (for amatuer work); I would have liked fill-in but it was the extra cost and the few times I would use it (not a big portrait person!)

Neat unit, I would recommend it