Flashes: Pros and Cons and Recommendations...

[arthropodtodd]

Both my anniversary and birthday is coming up in the next month. My wife is planning on buying me a niffty 50 for my Rebel xsi. I have been toying with getting a flash, as I think the built in one is lame.

So what should I get and what are some of the pros and cons to an external flash?

 

[JoeDif]

Pros: 1000% better lighting capabilities and quality than the pop up flash
Depending on model, ability to bounce and shape light

Cons: Learning curve
Additional cost of the external flash


All in all - I'd say get it if you can afford it. The investment will definitely be worth it

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Flash photography is another animal worth learning. I have heard or read many conversations where there was a general disdain for flash photography! I think some believe it is just slapping it on and go. Wrong! There is a learning curve to using one successfully, but there are enough tutorials online to help (strobist.com and youtube). For me it is another tool in my tool bag that helps me get the shot I need. I would highly recommend an external flash or two. You can either go OEM or third party. OEM tends to be more expensive. I use Sigma flashes and am entirely happy with the results they produce. They are reversed engineered to match the OEM and sometimes better. The use of OEM is subjective to the user.

 

[SrisonS]

If you want an inexpensive flash, take a look at the Yongnuo YN-465. You might have to purchase from eBayer from China to get it (but still very fast shipping), but it's worth it. I did that exact thing a couple of weeks ago. I wish I would've gotten an external flash a long time ago. It definitely blows the pop-up away.

 

[Bstanley]

I bought a Yongnuo YN-468 about 6 months ago and it has worked quite nicely. Simply bouncing the more powerful flash off the ceiling has improved the look of my flash pictures greatly.

I bought mine through Deal Extreme - I've made 2 purchases from them (they are a Hong Kong based company) and while they have more different products than you can shake a stick at with great pricing and have sent me exactly what I ordered both times, they are slower than molasses in January...3-4 weeks.

 

[bob100]

If you want an inexpensive flash, take a look at the Yongnuo YN-465. You might have to purchase from eBayer from China to get it (but still very fast shipping), but it's worth it. I did that exact thing a couple of weeks ago. I wish I would've gotten an external flash a long time ago. It definitely blows the pop-up away.

I also have the Yongnuo YN465 - cheap but it has Canon ETTL, manual controls, etc, - a big upgrade from the pop up flash!