BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Photographic Field Techniques

Photography Question 

Amanda Perin
 

External Flash for my Canon?


I would like an external flash for my Canon Rebel XT, and was hoping for some suggestions from all the professionals on BetterPhoto.com. I am a novice who is in the process of developing a portfolio, so I do not have a lot of experience with external flashes, but will need one that works best for my skill level as it develops. Thanks for your input!


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April 22, 2008

 

John H. Siskin
  Hi Amanda,
You should probably start with the latest version of the Canon 580. While it is expensive, it does have power and auto features that make it good to use outside and in doing events. Thanks, John Siskin


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April 22, 2008

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  There are other brands that are good ones like Metz and Sunpak, but the 580 is a good one. Especially if it's dedicated to your particular model of camera. It's good enough that it's gotten to the point of taking much of the learning to estimate light levels and power ratios for some.


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April 22, 2008

 

Matt Armstrong
  Amanda,
I think it depends on what you are using the flash for. But if your not going into to much manual and your just starting out, I would suggest going with the 430ex flash. I also have the xt and purchased the 430 not too long ago. I have never had a problem with it and I just shoot on TTL mode a lot of the time. It will save a lot of money as well, money that could go to getting a strobist kit from M-pex. Check out strobist.com and learn how to use the off-camera flash, this will make your pictures better and also increase your knowledge of how lighting works. If you find you like the external flashes on or off camera then I would suggest getting the 580. Having two flahes can do alot for pictures. But do check out strobist.com, it helps ALOT.


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April 29, 2008

 

Bunny Snow
  Instead of having to purchase a number of flashes, as you progress, I would start with the Canon 580EX. Additionally, Canon Visionary, Paul Gero, offers an amazing course on how to use your Canon 580EX flash, which I took in December 2007 (although my interest was to learn to use it with my antique 420 EX as a master-slave unit). Paul was very helpful in that regard as well.


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April 29, 2008

 
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