2nd Flash recommendation.

[akababy]

Hi guys, Currently i am using a 580mkII as my main flash. I do shoot with shoot thru umbrella.

Considering getting a 2nd flash head for my 2nd light. Did search b4 but no results.

I am actually considering on getting the 430exII or is it better to get another 580EXII? Of cos in terms of price i would prefer to get 430exII. Any suggestion?

Usage will be for hairlight, background light and fill light.

[Headshotzx]

How are you triggering the flashes? By radio-triggers like ebay triggers / skyports / alienbees / Pocketwizards? Or are you trying to use the Canon IR module for wireless?

If you're doing it the strobist way with radio triggers, you could get a few vivitar 285HV's from overseas for the price of 1 x 580EXII, and a few more ebay triggers.

[akababy]

yah, doing it with wireless trigger.

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by akababy yah, doing it with wireless trigger.

What wireless trigger? 580EXII as master (or ST-E2) and using Canon Infra-Red module, or radio triggers?

[akababy]

Sry it's radio trigger, would prefer if it is just between the 2 flash

[Headshotzx]

While that is a definite costly move if it's just between the 2 flashes, I would pick the cheaper one, unless you have 2 bodies whereby you'll use 2 bodies with 2 lenses and 2 flashes at the same time. Only then should you get a 580EXII.

[midicity]

If you want portability to compliment your existing 580ex2, I think u should consider another 580ex2. These Hotshoe flashes are already not as powerful as studio strobes, u need every ounce of juice u can get.

But, if portability is not that important, maybe use the money to get a pair of studio strobes? Not much more expensive than a 580ex2

[akababy]

hm.. ok thanks for all the feedback.

I will not be heading to studio strobes anytime soon. Still prefer go about the strobist style. Small flash but big pictures haha. Most probably will be getting a 430mkII to compliment my main flash. Should be sufficent for what i need it now.

[Headshotzx]

If you're going the strobist way, you probably should follow David Hobby's advice, right?

Get cheaper strobes like used Nikon SB26 / 28's or Vivitar 285HV's. You can get a few of those and a few radio triggers for the price of a 430EXII.

[akababy]

i dun really wanna try the vivitar haha. Too used to eletronics haha. And that david got a army of sb800 in his bag! I see him bring 6 of them out to do a group shot lol.

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by akababy i dun really wanna try the vivitar haha. Too used to eletronics haha. And that david got a army of sb800 in his bag! I see him bring 6 of them out to do a group shot lol.

That's because he also uses Nikon CLS. Canon has the IR that doesn't exactly work without line of sight. Nikon flashes just work.

You can try getting a few nikon sb-26's and sb-28's. Or at the very most, buy your canon flashes used if it's going to be just for strobist work.

[wdEvA]

if u are using radio triggers instead of using a 580 as a master, go for cheaper manual flashes, as you dont need the ettl from the flash.

[akababy]

thanks all for the helpful inputs. Headshot, i tried to look for it in the forum but flash seems to be a popular device. Not much supply of it in the market (2nd hand)

[Headshotzx]

Ok, then get Sigma flashes. There are a few in the BnS forum. Prices range from S$160 to S$200+ http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466140

Sigma 500 and 530 has an optical slave inside usable in manual mode, so you don't *need* to buy another radio trigger. However, if you're going to be shooting strobist in an area where people will be using flash a lot, the flash will keep triggering because of other people's flashes. Only then will you need a separate radio trigger.

[engrmariano]

550EX will do just fine...

[AReality]

Betweent the 2, get another 580EXII.
You'll most probably be shooting with manual flash exposure, and since both flashes are identical, a 1/4 power on one flash == 1/4 on the other flash. Easier to do ratios.


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[akababy]

Originally Posted by AReality Betweent the 2, get another 580EXII. You'll most probably be shooting with manual flash exposure, and since both flashes are identical, a 1/4 power on one flash == 1/4 on the other flash. Easier to do ratios. .

Yah u really nailed the problem that i am anticipating.