Flash Question...

[90sShooter]

I am looking to add a flash to my setup without breaking the bank. The obvious choice would be the 430EX or II but I was hoping not to drop $200+ on a flash. What would I be missing if I went with something older like the 430EZ? 540EZ? A guy at work let me borrow his 380EX and it seemed to do the trick pretty well and can be had for around $50-60 used it seems. From what I see it is pretty much automatic and doesn't allow for much adjustment. Also it does not swivel. How import are these for a novice like me? I admit I think I would like a flash that swivels so I can bounce the flash off a wall or something, but how important is being able to adjust the sync and exposure values? Also is a built in diffusion card something I should be interested in? I know they look nice and fancy but are they worth anyting?

I am using a Canon 500D with Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 mostly. Can someone recommend a relatively inexpensive flash that will get the job done?

 

[terahz]

The LumoPro LP120 is about $130. The good thing is it is a full manual flash. The bad thing is it is a full manual flash, which means you always have to set it up manually. So if you're up to the challenge of full manual flash it should work well for you.
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,12311.html

Otherwise a used 430 (if you find one) should be good too.

 

[90sShooter]

I kinda want to stick with Canon for the flash. I am looking to probably pick one up used... Right now I am looking at the 540EZ. What's the difference between EX and EZ models? Are the EX just the new more ergonomic shape and updated versions? I really like that 430EX but I don't like the price... Seems like I can get the 540EZ for half the price. Any opinions?

 

[IslandCrow]

If you're planning on using it exclusively for shooting aquarium life, a manual flash would be very usable and save you quite a bit of money. In that case, also, buying Canon would lose a lot of its benefit, since you wouldn't have to worry about compatibility with ETTL. I'm afraid I don't have experience with the EZ line, though. I can say the 430EX is a very good all around flash for the money. I think as long as you have the ability to control the flash manually or at least apply flash compensation, you should be good, though.

 

[90sShooter]

I won't be using the flash for aquarium shots at all... mostly portraits and the usual low light stuff... I just bought the 540EZ, should be here in a couple days. Apparently this is a pretty old flash (style wise), anything wrong with that? It seems to have most of the features that the newer flashes have.

Can somebody chime in with a review on the 540EZ? Is it any good? I have a really tight budget so I needed to find something relatively cheap. This basically narrowed it down to older obsolete flashes. So of those obsolete flashes, I like this particular model for the swivel and built in diffuser card. Also, I really don't know much about shooting with flash but it seems to be pretty programable and I think it should communicate with my 500D and sync up pretty well? right?

Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Jacob D]

You just bought it, then ask if it's any good??

For $200 you could have (and probably should have) picked up a used 550ex. Maybe somebody else knows better than me, but I'm about 99% sure that the "ez" series are NOT going to communicate with your camera. In other words, it *should* fire, but you'll have to set the exposure manually.

If you don't know much about shooting with flash... start reading. It's straight forward but there is a lot more to it than most casual photos take time to understand.

 

[IslandCrow]

For portraits, the EZ may not be a bad move at all. Since portraits are generally in a very controlled environment, all the automatic functions of the more modern Speedlites are generally not necessary, and often not even desired. Also, if you're serious about portraits, it'll be good that you saved some money since you're going to want another flash or two anyway. At a minimum you generally want both a main flash as well as a fill flash, and many times more than one fill. . .which is probably why I never got into portrait photography.

 

[90sShooter]

Jacob D - Yeah I just bought it... lol I thought it was a good deal so I snagged it. I picked it up for $120 so I figured I couldn't go wrong. Why would it not fire? Specs say it is compatible with all EOS cameras.

IslandCrow - Thanks for the input, I actually have an old flash as well for fill light. It's an old Vivitar but it fires

I would also like to be able to use this as a walk around flash as well though... What would you recommend instead of the 540EZ? The 550EX? For that price though I could pick up a newer 430EX II. What does the 500 series have that the 400s do not?

 

[90sShooter]

I just did a little research and your right none of the automatic settings will work with my camera.

I really like the 430EX II and I think I can pick one up for right around $200... Is there anything that I am missing with the flash?

 

[IslandCrow]

I'd definitely recommend the 430 EX (I or II). I have the original version, and it's a good flash. You have both the Enhanced TTL as well as full manual control. The upgrade has faster recycle times, which would be nice, but either one should work for most purposes. I also have a 540 EX II, which is an excellent flash, but overkill most of the times, so most of the time I just bring the smaller and lighter 430 with me.

 

[90sShooter]

Ok cool, that's what I'm gonna get. Thanks for your help!

 

[Jacob D]

The 430ex is nice, but you can pick up a used 550ex for about the same price or a little less and it has the power of the 580ex as well as the ability to act as a master control for other Canon "ex" flashes. I would get the 550ex (I own one, it's a nice flash). The extra power comes in handy if you are far away, need to light up a big room, are using shoot through umbrella, softbox, or need to use high speed sync.

 

[Gamepro_inc]

OK, I have alot of diffrent flashes for my 40D the 430ex II is great for sync shots and bouncing light however for the money my best flash I ever used and still use was an old metz flash for film and I bought a adapter to mount it on my digital 40D. you need a sync cord and an adapter together these 2 items are about $80 add that to a used metz flash around $40 and you got a top of the line flash for $120. I still use the 430ex but not near as much as the metz. I would look at b&h photo on thier website for reviews and tech questions anytime you want to know will this work for my camera.