Help me buy a camera flash!

C

CaelansMummy

Messages
442
Edit My Images
No
Hi everyone,

I don't know anything about lighting and I have always used natural light. I would like to purchase a flash as cheap as I can and one that will still be okay to use on a daily basis. It's all new to me!
 
Hi Caelansmummy,

I currently use a 430ex mkii which is the 2nd from top in the range of canon flashes.
It is well worth the money and will last a long time if you were to ever upgrade camera bodies , lenses etc...

I've seen some going around on eBay for about £130 Pre-Loved and £205 brand new
It's a very powerful flash gun and there are alot of setting's to twiddle around with and produce quality shots :)
The ETTL also help's a lot in dark places and focuses using infared instead of your camera's lens doing the work
 
I would suggest you look at the range available from Nissin. They do 3 that are similar to the Canon range but are around half the price. The Di466 (Canon 270EX), the Di622 Canon 430EX) and the Di866 (Canon 580EX) build quality and features are excellent and if you're doing indoor portraits you can set them for off camera slave flash to get the lighting right. I've got a Di866 and a Canon 580EX II and I find the Nissin easier to set up and use than the Canon. I bought a Nissin Di622 for the wife for her 550D in november and it was £99 IIRC for the MkII. I've even had all 3 linked up wirelessly to my 7D to see what sort of power you get and it really is Blinding!!!
 
Last edited:
Id get a 430ex if I were you :thumbs: then if you upgrade to a 7D or above they are remote fire enabled

Edit think the 60D does as well
 
Last edited:
Just Dave said:
Id get a 430ex if I were you :thumbs: then if you upgrade to a 7D or above they are remote fire enabled

Edit think the 60D does as well
Click to expand...

The Nissin 622 & 866 work perfectly well as a TTL remote and represent a much better bang for your buck than the 430 & 580.

The only caveats are that you have to programme on flash, rather than on camera, and if you are getting a 622 get the MkII version as the MkI won't wake up when used with radio triggers.
 
Thankyou ever so much for all the replies. I will have a look into those brands and models, I didn't know if I needed to stick with Canon you see. I am planning on upgrading in the future when I have had enough practice to go out and charge :lol: I would like it to last me and I am aiming for the 7d or 5d mk2 some day :lol:
 
Don't forget about the yn565ex! Which has practically everything the canon 580ex2 has for a third of the price. I would of got one if it had been available when I was in your position but settled with a 430ex2.
 
Rajkay said:
Don't forget about the yn565ex! Which has practically everything the canon 580ex2 has for a third of the price. I would of got one if it had been available when I was in your position but settled with a 430ex2.
Click to expand...

I've just got one of these, and overall I'm very impressed. Can be set up through the camera, and is compatible with the 7D/60D remote fire, so time to start experimenting with off camera flash for me! :D
 
Invertigo said:
I've just got one of these, and overall I'm very impressed. Can be set up through the camera, and is compatible with the 7D/60D remote fire, so time to start experimenting with off camera flash for me! :D
Click to expand...

Brilliant, do you know where I can pick one up? :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top