Flash guns for Canon 550d??

[mw0dbb]

Hi all again! I know nothing about flash guns so I have no idea where to start! I want to get a flash which will do a better job than the one fitted to the camera? I have seen other flash guns that are not canon, but are there things I should be looking for? I have heard that the camera can control the flash? Anyway any advice would be appreciated?

John

 

[milspec78]

Hey John, there are loads of options to fit your camera and any that offers ttl will do a sterling job. Try and make sure whatever you get has the tilt and bounce options then you can at least bounce the flash off the ceiling or a nearby wall for more natural results.

I have used loads of different brands but keep coming back to the Nissin ones. I think they are a lot better value than the Canon ones and are very well made. The ones with wireless capability (di866 as a master and di622 mk2 as a slave) are fully compatible with the Canon systems if you wanted to go for one of them later!

Good luck!

 

[aeronic]

Would you say that the nissin 622 at £100 is equivalent output to the canon 430ex at £200?

 

[milspec78]

The nissin has an output of 44m @ 105mm the canon 430 has 43m so just as powerful. The 622 is more basic however, if you dont need the features its an easy choice.

If you need more features the 866 costs about the same as the 430 but has a whole lot more power and a huge feature list and can act as a wireless master also.

 

[modchild]

I've got a 7d and a 550D and use a Nissin 866, great flash, loads of features, easy to use and very reliable.
I've just ordered a 5D MkII and as that hasn't got a built in flash I've ordered a EX580 II to go with it and I'm passing the 550D on to the wife.
I'm keeping my 866 for my 7D and just ordered a 622 for the wife for the 550D. If money is no object then go for the canon, otherwise the Nissin range is perfectly adequate for any situation and are a great price.