kewlkeed
join:2005-02-05
Knowlton, QC
| Preferred flash for Rebel XT
Hello all,
First time posting in this forum and hope to be spending lots of time here in the future.
I'm just wondering what sort of flash (Hotshoe) you prefer to use on a Canon DSLR/SLR (Rebel XT being my model)
The speedlights are always rather expensive and there isn't a big variation in the pricing for them. They certainly look to be the way to go, but before I take the jump and buy one I'd like to know what people in the field really use or personally prefer.
As well are there any other flashes that will mount on a Rebel XT that will interact with the camera properly? I see some Nikon flashes that look great and have a much more attractive price, however I am probably dreaming if I think it will interface with the Canon properly.
Should I keep looking for the Speedlights or is there perhaps something that works just as well if not better out there? |
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Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs: 
 ·Embarq
| I love the Sigma flashes, always worked great on our Rebel and 20D. The Sigma flash ends up being somewhere between the Canon 550EX and the 580EX... being a bit better then the 550EX but not quite as good as the 580EX.
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Pentaxian
join:2008-01-23
West Milford, NJ
| reply to kewlkeed
Also, you should determine if you just want a flash for general use or a flash for specific use as there are types of flashes that work better than others for certain types of shooting. As in, if you're mainly going to be doing macro shooting I would suggest a macro flash setup over a standard type of strobe, etc. And if you're mainly going to be doing sports shooting I would suggest something has HSS capability, etc... |
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Anon Name
@teksavvy.com | reply to kewlkeed
Why compromise. Get the 580exII and you will have the best. Game over. |
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Pentaxian
join:2008-01-23
West Milford, NJ
edit:
July 14th, @08:37PM
| reply to kewlkeed
Anon has a point.. BUY the best you can afford, or maybe not afford, regardless... Though, even the best won't be the best at everything. |
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Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
·Embarq
edit:
July 14th, @09:25PM
| reply to kewlkeed
No need to waste money on overkill if it is not needed. And the 580EX for most users is overkill and they would never even begin to ever use its features or power for that matter.
As for different flash setups.. All one needs is a regular flash, which can be adapted for macro flash later on if need be. I would never go with a dedicated macro flash unless all you ever shoot is macros, or portraits, because that is about all a ring flash is good for. A good normal flash will provide far more flexibility, and can still be adapted to do the specialty stuff, like macros, as well.
Compare the 580EX II to the Sigma 530 Super and the Canon 430EX. In all honesty, contrary to what most here will have you believe, spending $400 on a flash is NOT necessary, nor will most users, even use the flash to its abilities to warrant that much cash being spent on it. The Sigma is over $100 cheaper and will do just about everything the 580 will do, and most users would never see any difference. The 430EX will end up working as good too, honestly. Heck, most people would be good to go with a~$100 flash and never use more then it can offer. With the economy where it is, it is kind of stupid to just waste $$$$ when it is not needed.
Heck, we use an older Sunpak and an Achiever LCD and quite honestly, do not see a huge difference between either of them and the 530 Super from Sigma nor the 580EX from Canon either, in general usage, aside from recharge times, lol. Until we go with the Quantum setup, most likely will not bother with anything inbetween.
On a last note..
Actually, if you want the BEST flash, then the Canon 580EX II is far from the flash anyways, lol. If you want the BEST flash, then you need a Quantum T5D or the Metz 58AF1 or the Metz 45 CL-4. They make the 580EX II look like a play toy. 
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Gbcue
Shiny
Premium
join:2001-09-30
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
| I would go with a Canon. I've had bad experiences with my single Sigma flash. Once is enough, and costly.
It constantly locks up (stops flashing) and doesn't even charge as quickly as it states in the manual with alkaline or rechargeable batteries. |
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Edit This
Premium,MVM
join:2001-05-08
 ·Comcast
edit:
July 15th, @12:55AM
| reply to kewlkeed
If you're a Canon shooter then go with the 580exII which has a rebate available right now. I wouldn't compromise on anything less. Look at the work of a respected flash photographer and see what he does with one 580ex and then make up your mind. The work of Neil van Niekerk is impressive and he uses his 580ex most of the time. See some of his work and learn from his well explained lessons here: »www.planetneil.com/
You will not regret it.
When it comes to flash don't compromise. And forget about Quantum for now. Neil rarely uses his and his results speak for themselves.
Best of luck.
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grendal
Mmm Donuts
Premium
join:2001-10-10
Fremont, CA
clubs: | reply to kewlkeed
the 430ex II was announced, which has some improvements.
»www.dpreview.com/news/0806/08061···iiex.asp |
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Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
·Embarq
edit:
July 15th, @01:36AM
| reply to Gbcue
One person having issues does not mean jack, sorry. I can find a ton of folks who have issues with the Canon flashes as well, but that does not mean they are junk. 
Also, using the guy referenced above is a little misleading to say the least. First off he is using a wireless setup, not just on camera, secondly he is a Professional who knows the equipment, and the images are also post processed not a direct result of only the flash. Not to mention on his own pages he mentions how he used the Quantum quite frequently, not occasionally.
Funny how everyone suggests the most expensive flash, even after he mentioned concerns for the costs of the speedlights!! No reason at all to direct him to drop ~$400 on a flash if he is never going to remotely even start to use its features nor power. Most folks on this forum could easily get away with a ~$90 *Insert Name Here* 3rd party flash and do exactly what they thought/think they needed to spend $400 to do. 
Why not wait for the OP's response to what he/she plans on shooting the most.
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Edit This
Premium,MVM
join:2001-05-08
·Comcast
moderated:
July 15th, @09:31AM
| "The Guy" is Neil van Niekerk. The finest on camera flash bouncer on the planet.
If anyone is truly interested in learning about on camera bounced flash photography among other related techniques I suggest you start at the link below and work your way through the lessons. He is one of the most highly regarded and well respected photographers working this genre today.
»planetneil.com/tangents/exposure-metering/
I guarantee this will strongly influence your flash purchasing decision and it will be a decision based on someone with a superb mastery of the craft.
Trust me.
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X Man
Sober
Premium
join:2005-09-05
USA |  Bookmarked!  |
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Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
·Embarq
moderated:
July 15th, @09:32AM
| reply to Edit This
said by Edit This  :"The Guy" is Neil van Niekerk. The finest on camera flash bouncer on the planet. I have heard of him, I just do not feel the same way about him/his work that you do, that is all. His work is excellent, but IMHO, it is far from the greatest nor best. Different people have different tastes, and my tastes just do not care for his style, that is all. I much prefer Gene Higa, Jim Garner, and the like. He knows his stuff and I respect that, but that does not mean I have to like his work.
I like to spend more time developing my own skills and style vs. trying to emulate everyone elses.
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kewlkeed
join:2005-02-05
Knowlton, QC
| reply to kewlkeed
Thank you everyone for your input, and thanks Gemologist for the last comment "I like to spend more time developing my own skills and style vs. trying to emulate everyone elses." I think that pretty much sums up my feelings too.
Cost is certainly an issue, but perhaps I should have re-phrased myself better. I know the 580 is the rage, but just didn't know if there was anything else out there that was better and possibly cheaper. I was just worried more to be paying that much for a flash JUST because it's Canon and it's the "Real deal" or am I actually getting my money's worth for it. From the sounds of things it is worth the cash so I think I will save some up and possibly take the plunge in the next month or so. I used to do a lot of work with heavy duty flash units (Untill my sigma exploded right off the top of my camera, so yeah add me on that list of "never again sigma" unfortunately). I was lucky though because the Sigma was given to me so it was still worth the price I paid.
I just picked up Canon's Nifty Fifty lense to add to my glass collection, and now I think the 580 will be the next big addition. Thanks again for all the input  |
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misterjda
join:2007-12-03
Wheaton, IL
| reply to kewlkeed
I had a Sigma EF-500 DG Super I used with my 5D for a while. It worked, but I had issues with it misfiring occasionally under heavy use, and also it sometimes seemed to fire only partially even though it indicated it was ready.
I also demo'd some kind of Promaster flash (my local store is a dealer) but the recharge times were pretty slow and it didn't seem to have a lot of power.
I recently dropped the coin on a 580EX-II but I haven't used it the same way as the Sigma yet. I can get back to you next week on my results if you're interested.
But, as was posted before, this is not the kind of use I would think most posters on this forum would subject their equipment to. I'm shooting upwards of 250 photos in the space of 30-45 minutes and that's going to stress everything (including me) a lot more than casual shooting. |
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Gbcue
Shiny
Premium
join:2001-09-30
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
| said by misterjda :I had a Sigma EF-500 DG Super I used with my 5D for a while. It worked, but I had issues with it misfiring occasionally under heavy use, and also it sometimes seemed to fire only partially even though it indicated it was ready. That's odd. This is the same problem that I have on my XT. |
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Edit This
Premium,MVM
join:2001-05-08
·Comcast
edit:
July 15th, @11:37AM
| reply to kewlkeed
Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT
said by kewlkeed :Thank you everyone for your input, and thanks Gemologist for the last comment "I like to spend more time developing my own skills and style vs. trying to emulate everyone elses." I think that pretty much sums up my feelings too. kewlkeed......don't miss out on the free lessons at Neil's web site. If you want to develop skills don't go it alone.......it will so you that much longer to achieve your goals. I'm not saying that you should mimic Neil's work. I'm saying he is one of the most generous photographers out there giving free lessons and advice on a regular basis on his web site. It is one of the web's greatest gems and should not be missed. For example.....look what he can teach you how to do with one 580ex on camera, bounced using a DIY half snoot that cost him about $2. »planetneil.com/tangents/2008/07/···t-touch/
Best of luck.
btw.....nice choice on the 580.
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kewlkeed
join:2005-02-05
Knowlton, QC
| reply to kewlkeed
Thanks again for the tips.
Yeah I shoot around 300 shots in a 30min window pretty easily so yep I'm looking for something that I would imagine ranks in the "heavy" usage scale.
I've always been a bit of an anti-flash type of person so I think it's time for me to really dive in. I know I can do great things with it, I just for some reason don't like it that much but want to give it a whack anyway.
Time for some fun! I'll post some follow ups when I dump the coin on the flash and see what I get |
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Edit This
Premium,MVM
join:2001-05-08 | If you are not familiar with this site.....then jump in my friend: »strobist.blogspot.com/ |
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