Flashes

thirtyone · 2nd June 2009

Hi guys, i always wonder what's the main differences between the series of speedlite flashes.. eg. 430ex and 430 exll, 580 ex and 580 exll, 270 ex? i wanna get a decent speedlite flash that could give me photos that you online/magazine when it's taken in a club.. Any suggestions or anyone who owns a flash could gimme your views on it..
I'm afraid if i settle for the cheapest one it wouldn't produce a photo good enough, yet on the other hand i'm not really willing to pay so much for the latest.. (You can't always keep up with the latest gadgets..)

Thanks for your time!

playplay · 2nd June 2009

You want decent speedlite and yet budget 1s? So whats your budget in the 1st place?
Which is your priority? Compromise budget for good speedlite or Compromise speedlite quality for budget?
Cheap yet good then go to BnS, test it and buy

2evans · 2nd June 2009

The flash's naming convention let's you know roughly the power/guide number for that unit. i.e. the 270 has the least power, 430 is in the middle, while the 580 has the most power.

rendition · 2nd June 2009

Quote:

I'm afraid if i settle for the cheapest one it wouldn't produce a photo good enough, yet on the other hand i'm not really willing to pay so much for the latest..

Then settle for 430EXII lor. It's the mid range from Canon and differs from the top range of 580EXII only in terms of power and capability of triggering another flash wirelessly - cost almost half of the latter too. It will do you enough justice for more occasions than you can think of. Many professionals have and use this too for their day to day job. See the thing in photography is, there's always a better equipment out there but you can choose to learn to make full use of what you have and from there as time goes by, you'll be able to know better what you're lacking of... will give you a better idea on what equipments is due for upgrade. The thing about flash is also, higher end models may help you to achieve better photos but that's only if you know how to manipulate it's basic function (i.e. bouncing light instead of direct etc).

So if you're looking for an affordable flash gun to start with, 430EXII should be it.

Shen siung · 2nd June 2009

Originally Posted by rendition

Then settle for 430EXII lor. It's the mid range from Canon and differs from the top range of 580EXII only in terms of power and capability of triggering another flash wirelessly - cost almost half of the latter too. It will do you enough justice for more occasions than you can think of. Many professionals have and use this too for their day to day job. See the thing in photography is, there's always a better equipment out there but you can choose to learn to make full use of what you have and from there as time goes by, you'll be able to know better what you're lacking of... will give you a better idea on what equipments is due for upgrade. The thing about flash is also, higher end models may help you to achieve better photos but that's only if you know how to manipulate it's basic function (i.e. bouncing light instead of direct etc).

So if you're looking for an affordable flash gun to start with, 430EXII should be it.

Agree fully

I've tried 580EXII and 430EXII, both once. in my personal newbie opinion, not much different in terms of ability.
Of course there are differences, but i'm trying to highlight as you still new, you will not be able to feel different that will cause something to your photo.

for 270, it cannot turn to side, if not wrong, so the application become limited.

I would suggest 430 EXII, as it is more light weight compare to 580EXII

pplneedthelord · 2nd June 2009

Originally Posted by Shen siung

Agree fully
I've tried 580EXII and 430EXII, both once. in my personal newbie opinion, not much different in terms of ability. Of course there are differences, but i'm trying to highlight as you still new, you will not be able to feel different that will cause something to your photo.

for 270, it cannot turn to side, if not wrong, so the application become limited.

I would suggest 430 EXII, as it is more light weight compare to 580EXII

Are you kidding? if its so then whats the reason for having a 430EX and 580EX?

asterix54 · 2nd June 2009

TS, you may want to check out this site :

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...s-Reviews.aspx

and read the Flash & Lighting Accessory Reviews.

nottipiglet · 2nd June 2009

580EX is useful if you want to cover events and you want the flash to fire far far away. For the most of us, 430EX is sufficient. With today's ISO technology, you can get very good pictures at high ISO. So, if higher ISO is used with flash, then the flash need not be so powerful to produce nice pictures in most occasions, even if you bounce it off stuff.

My suggestion is to get the 430EX, coupled with an off-camera solution, like the ST-E2. It is very useful to be able to control the direction of light if you want quality shots, and getting te camear off camera is a good idea in many situations. Of course, you should also consider various diffusers in the market, each with their own unique qualities. I think a good place to start would be the Stofen Omnibounce because it is small and unobtrusive.

pplneedthelord · 2nd June 2009

Originally Posted by nottipiglet

580EX is useful if you want to cover events and you want the flash to fire far far away. For the most of us, 430EX is sufficient. With today's ISO technology, you can get very good pictures at high ISO. So, if higher ISO is used with flash, then the flash need not be so powerful to produce nice pictures in most occasions, even if you bounce it off stuff.

My suggestion is to get the 430EX, coupled with an off-camera solution, like the ST-E2. It is very useful to be able to control the direction of light if you want quality shots, and getting te camear off camera is a good idea in many situations. Of course, you should also consider various diffusers in the market, each with their own unique qualities. I think a good place to start would be the Stofen Omnibounce because it is small and unobtrusive.

agreed. but still, in any case, a 580EX would anytime beat a 430EX with high ISO.

so to TS, it really depends on your need. my 430EXII is serving me well because my longest focal length in my lenses is only a 50mm. the max i've done so far was from a 85mm f/1.8. so a 580EXII would be a little too much for now.

nottipiglet · 2nd June 2009

Originally Posted by pplneedthelord

agreed. but still, in any case, a 580EX would anytime beat a 430EX with high ISO.

Of course.

But I think part of the game is to carry what you need... and not the best equipment money can buy because the better specs often comes with extra weight and cost.

FireZ · 3rd June 2009

yo TS...how about..3rd party?...
i'm using Tumax now...

jus some sharing from the pics i took jus now....
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524759

i used flash on the Pic 9...with "better bounce card" as the diffuser...
pretty decent....

i pretty love the flash.... i'm a newbie too...hence..understand how e feeling of seeking the "right" one yet dun wish to part wif the $$$..

cheers!

2nd June 2009	#1
thirtyone Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 71	Flashes Hi guys, i always wonder what's the main differences between the series of speedlite flashes.. eg. 430ex and 430 exll, 580 ex and 580 exll, 270 ex? i wanna get a decent speedlite flash that could give me photos that you online/magazine when it's taken in a club.. Any suggestions or anyone who owns a flash could gimme your views on it.. I'm afraid if i settle for the cheapest one it wouldn't produce a photo good enough, yet on the other hand i'm not really willing to pay so much for the latest.. (You can't always keep up with the latest gadgets..) Thanks for your time!

2nd June 2009	#2
playplay Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Choa Chu Kang Posts: 396	Re: Flashes You want decent speedlite and yet budget 1s? So whats your budget in the 1st place? Which is your priority? Compromise budget for good speedlite or Compromise speedlite quality for budget? Cheap yet good then go to BnS, test it and buy __________________ My Humble Portfolio

2nd June 2009	#3
2evans Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 854	Re: Flashes The flash's naming convention let's you know roughly the power/guide number for that unit. i.e. the 270 has the least power, 430 is in the middle, while the 580 has the most power.

2nd June 2009	#7
asterix54 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 8	Re: Flashes TS, you may want to check out this site : http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...s-Reviews.aspx and read the Flash & Lighting Accessory Reviews.

2nd June 2009	#8
nottipiglet Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 739	Re: Flashes 580EX is useful if you want to cover events and you want the flash to fire far far away. For the most of us, 430EX is sufficient. With today's ISO technology, you can get very good pictures at high ISO. So, if higher ISO is used with flash, then the flash need not be so powerful to produce nice pictures in most occasions, even if you bounce it off stuff. My suggestion is to get the 430EX, coupled with an off-camera solution, like the ST-E2. It is very useful to be able to control the direction of light if you want quality shots, and getting te camear off camera is a good idea in many situations. Of course, you should also consider various diffusers in the market, each with their own unique qualities. I think a good place to start would be the Stofen Omnibounce because it is small and unobtrusive.

3rd June 2009	#11
FireZ Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 734	Re: Flashes yo TS...how about..3rd party?... i'm using Tumax now... jus some sharing from the pics i took jus now.... http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524759 i used flash on the Pic 9...with "better bounce card" as the diffuser... pretty decent.... i pretty love the flash.... i'm a newbie too...hence..understand how e feeling of seeking the "right" one yet dun wish to part wif the $$$.. cheers!