Need a flash – recommendations / advice please

[Longshanks]

I just been asked by a friend to take some indoor crèche shots of kids and staff for their website. It will be in a month’s time and I’ve will never have been in the premises before.

I have a canon 1000D and the kit lens, 50mm 1.8, and sigma 10-20mm. So lens wish I should be ok. But I’m thinking an external flash will be a must as it might be too dull and the inbuilt one will be too harsh?

Can somebody please advice on a relatively cheap one that comes recommended? My budget is up to €200 (approx £160-170 stg), but hopefully ebay would come up with a better deal?

Also, I was hoping to get into off camera shots using wireless triggers at some point in the near future (was originally thinking that a canon 430EX would be Christmas present from other half).

I know the 430EX can do this (off camera shots with extra wireless triggers), but after this I know nothing about flashes. If in need to buy a flash then I would rather get one now that can be triggered wirelessly in the future.

I’m eager to lean, but I think I need to get practicing quicker than originally thought

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Both 430EX and 580Ex are good to start with. 580Ex is a little bit more powerful, but 430EX is plenty most of the time. 430EX also works well as a slave when / if you get 580EX at a later date. I am still keeping mine, so it must be OK.

 

[Longshanks]

Both 430EX and 580Ex are good to start with. 580Ex is a little bit more powerful, but 430EX is plenty most of the time. 430EX also works well as a slave when / if you get 580EX at a later date. I am still keeping mine, so it must be OK.

Thanks for that. Are there alternatives i should be looking into also? I've got 3.5 weeks to buy and get to grips with the basics of bouncing the flash off the ceiling:bonk:

Is the 430EX only compatible with the 580Ex

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Thanks for that. Are there alternatives i should be looking into also? I've got 3.5 weeks to buy and get to grips with the basics of bouncing the flash off the ceiling:bonk:

Is the 430EX only compatible with the 580Ex

550EX was the predecessor of 580EX and still works fine. There are 3rd party flashes, Metz is probably the best (as usual avoid Sigma), but Canon is really the preferred option.

 

[Longshanks]

550EX was the predecessor of 580EX and still works fine. There are 3rd party flashes, Metz is probably the best (as usual avoid Sigma), but Canon is really the preferred option.

Thanks for that. For a n00b like me will the 430EX be much of a difference when compared to the 430EX II? I see that it recharges quicker, but other wise is there much difference? What about price wise (second hand values)?