Need to buy a flash! Any recommendations?

[BigTuna07]

After coming back from WDW, I have determined I definitely need a flash!! I should have checked out some of the photos I took after each day! I guess it was a beginners mistake.

I have a Canon 7D and T2i. Any recommendations?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

What is your budget and do want to stick with OEM or is third party acceptable?

 

[k5jm]

The Canon Speedlite 430EX II, hands down. I have used off-brand speedlites on my 7D and XTi, but the most consistant and feature rich is 430EX II, or the 580EX if you want to spend the extra money. One of the coolest features with the 430 and the 7D is the off Camera Wireless flash. I have been using that with great success.

 

[alloyd1170]

I have the Canon 580 EX II and love it (though I don't use it much as I prefer natural light). Canon brought out a newer version but it's $$$$.

 

[wbeem]

You know what? Light is light. You can spend a lot or you can spend a little and still get good light on your subjects.

So why would you spend a lot? It depends upon the features you want and the power output you need.

When you buy a flash, you also need to think about the way you trigger it. The easiest and most common way is to put it on the camera hot-shoe. Unfortunately, the also leads to the most boring light. It won't take long before you want to get that flash off your camera.

So my recommendation is to make sure you get a flash with a PC sync port so you can trigger it from off-camera. There are also little hotshoe triggers for flashes without a sync port, but I think it's better to go direct.

Off-camera flash gives you much more interesting light because you have control of its direction. With that in mind, let me pass you along to the Strobist 101 site, which provides an excellent discussion of how its done.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

 

[bob100]

After coming back from WDW, I have determined I definitely need a flash!! I should have checked out some of the photos I took after each day! I guess it was a beginners mistake.

I have a Canon 7D and T2i. Any recommendations?

I've been using Yongnuo flashes for the past three years, I have the YN465 and YN460, the latest is the YN565
http://speedlights.net/

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it depends on what you plan to use the flash for. I have the 430EX and that gives me the greatest flexibility for multiple uses. But to be honest, I hated carrying that thing around Disney. So a couple years ago I bought the 270EX which has a smaller profile. It's my "Disney flash" and much easier to stand having on my camera all day. Since I use flash for most of my character pics (even broad daylight) it's just on the camera most of the time. I was really tired of the larger one whacking me in the back all the time and messing with my camera's center of gravity.

It's far preferable to the tiny pop-up flash, and I never get caught waiting for it to recycle in the middle of a short interaction with a character.

 

[BigTuna07]

What is your budget and do want to stick with OEM or is third party acceptable?

I would say around $500 but it could be more if it makes a huge difference. I am mostly a Canon guy, but if another brand is much cheaper and same quality I wouldn't mind.

 

[BigTuna07]

The Canon Speedlite 430EX II, hands down. I have used off-brand speedlites on my 7D and XTi, but the most consistant and feature rich is 430EX II, or the 580EX if you want to spend the extra money. One of the coolest features with the 430 and the 7D is the off Camera Wireless flash. I have been using that with great success.


Wow! That is cool!!!

 

[BigTuna07]

You know what? Light is light. You can spend a lot or you can spend a little and still get good light on your subjects.

So why would you spend a lot? It depends upon the features you want and the power output you need.

When you buy a flash, you also need to think about the way you trigger it. The easiest and most common way is to put it on the camera hot-shoe. Unfortunately, the also leads to the most boring light. It won't take long before you want to get that flash off your camera.

So my recommendation is to make sure you get a flash with a PC sync port so you can trigger it from off-camera. There are also little hotshoe triggers for flashes without a sync port, but I think it's better to go direct.

Off-camera flash gives you much more interesting light because you have control of its direction. With that in mind, let me pass you along to the Strobist 101 site, which provides an excellent discussion of how its done.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

Thank you for the link and the information!

 

[BigTuna07]

I think it depends on what you plan to use the flash for. I have the 430EX and that gives me the greatest flexibility for multiple uses. But to be honest, I hated carrying that thing around Disney. So a couple years ago I bought the 270EX which has a smaller profile. It's my "Disney flash" and much easier to stand having on my camera all day. Since I use flash for most of my character pics (even broad daylight) it's just on the camera most of the time. I was really tired of the larger one whacking me in the back all the time and messing with my camera's center of gravity.

It's far preferable to the tiny pop-up flash, and I never get caught waiting for it to recycle in the middle of a short interaction with a character.

I think it is a great idea to have both!!! I like the idea of a smaller flash while walking around WDW! The 7D is heavy enough and then add a bigger flash and I think my back and neck would be very sore after a day at any park!!!!

 

[BigTuna07]

I have the Canon 580 EX II and love it (though I don't use it much as I prefer natural light). Canon brought out a newer version but it's $$$$.

I've been using Yongnuo flashes for the past three years, I have the YN465 and YN460, the latest is the YN565
http://speedlights.net/

Thank you both for your suggestions!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

For my Pentax system, I have two Sigma flashes, a 530 St and 530 super. I have had good success with them. The ST is a simpler model with swivel head, but does not have the wireless flash, but the super does. The one good thing about buying flashes today is the standardization of the Guide Numbers. This makes it a little easier to compare. Many of the manufacturers actually use the guide numbers in their designations. For example, my two flashes' GN is both 53 hence 530 designation. The latest version is the 610 model with a GN of 61. The Sigma flashes are reversed engineered to meet or exceed the OEM versions. One of the major differences, besides price, is that the Sigma's have a plastic mount vs a metal mount. I have used mine for over 3 years with no problems. Here is a couple of flash images I recently posted from our Christmas trip.


Epcot Norway Christmas Character3 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


MVMCP Parade Dwarfs 1 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Disclosure: I know almost nothing about non-Canon flashes. There may be some good third party alternatives.

It depends. If you think you'll never develop your photography skills beyond the use of a single flash, I think that the 430EX II is the best option. I think that the 270 series are underpowered and the inability to bounce horizontally is a total deal breaker. The 320EX is an option, but I think the extra money for the 430 is worth it for the extra power.

If you see yourself developing as a photographer, I would strongly encourage the new 600EX. Canon is switching how they handle multiple flashes. They used to use light to communicate between the flashes. Starting with the 600, they are going to use radio waves. This should result in a lot of additional flexibility, reliability, and capability. In the flash classes that I've taken, there has always been a heavy emphasis on tricks for dealing with flashes that aren't visible from your shooting location. Using radio waves will virtually eliminate that problem. Pocket Wizards have been using radio for a while and now do ETTL, but I think I'd rather stick with Canon's solution rather than the PWs. I currently have four Canon flashes (2 580EXIIs, a 430EXII, and a 420EX) and some pocket wizards. I plan to sell the whole lot and switch to the 600s if the initial reviews look good.

 

[eblong]

I have had an off-brand (Vivitar) flash for my T2i, and after 6 months it died. I went to a Canon Speedlite 430EX, and have been very, very satisfied. Big, yes; but it comes in handy for linger shots when I do use it.

 

[wbeem]

So what was it about your previous shots that made you decide you needed a flash? Do you have some examples?

 

[SrisonS]

I've been using Yongnuo flashes for the past three years, I have the YN465 and YN460, the latest is the YN565
http://speedlights.net/

Because I wanted something inexpensive, I went with his suggestion some time ago. I bought the YN465, and have been very happy with it.