Preferred flash for Rebel XT in Digital Imaging Technology http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20788173 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:51:09 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:51:09 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20828745 simplykristi : I am going to third the 430EX. I love it. :)

Kristi]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20828745 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:46:18 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20826964 Wyattx17 : I use the 430ex and has plenty of punch for what I need it to do. I recommend it for the price.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20826964 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:13:23 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20815590 mau108 : 430EX FTW

I use it and it helps soooooooooooooooooooo much.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20815590 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:35:48 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20798286 Gemologist : Yes, the Sunpak 383 is not bad at all, except for its recycle time!! B&H lists it as 8.5secs. but in all honesty I do not think it is quite that long, or atleast, not with Hybrid batteries it isn't. Almost all of Sunpak's flashes are excellent for power output, they may lack bells & whistles, but not power. I have 2 myself I use for wireless work.

Another great flash for the $$$ is Achiever, if you need a great powerful flash for a cheap price tag! The 632LCD is an excellent flash and can be had used/old stock for like ~$50 or so.
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said by Jodokast96 See Profile :

Hell, forget all the nonsense and just get yourself a nice used Vivitar 283/285 and Wein Safe Sync.
No doubt! That is one nice combo, honestly!
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said by Jodokast96 See Profile :

Hell, forget all the nonsense and just get yourself a nice used Vivitar 283/285 and Wein Safe Sync.
Lot's of people have done that and enjoyed the results and money saved I'm sure.

If you want to spend the money on a 580EX then go ahead...there is no better flash made by Canon. Heck go all out and get a Metz 45 CL-4 :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20797114 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:10:32 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20796573 X Man : Right on... Or go insane like me. I just grabbed a Sunpak 433AF dedicated Nikon flash for use on my Pentax for $20 shipped.*Evil Grin* Whatever it takes to fire it and I'm good to go with tilt-swivel 120 GN goodness. :p

Regards,
Mike
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]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20796573 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:29:31 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20796504 anon :
said by Jodokast96 See Profile :

Hell, forget all the nonsense and just get yourself a nice used Vivitar 283/285 and Wein Safe Sync.
+1]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20796504 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:20:10 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20796320 Jodokast96 : Hell, forget all the nonsense and just get yourself a nice used Vivitar 283/285 and Wein Safe Sync.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20796320 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:44:50 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20795615 Gemologist :
said by Exit See Profile :

90% of the people shooting with 580EX's could do just find with a 420EX. You're better off investing money into lenses.
True on both statements!

Goes back to my statement about the person using them, as well, actually knowing how to properly use them, makes a world of difference.
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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 :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20794343 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:07:04 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20794191 Edit This :
said by kewlkeed See Profile :

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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]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20794191 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:33:55 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20793357 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 :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20793357 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:08:21 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20792743 Gemologist : 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. :uhh:

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. :o

Why not wait for the OP's response to what he/she plans on shooting the most.
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»www.dpreview.com/news/0806/08061···iiex.asp]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20792589 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:41:04 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20792554 Edit This : 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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]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20792554 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:25:40 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20792348 Gbcue : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20792348 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:26:18 EDT Re: Preferred flash for Rebel XT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20791801 Gemologist : 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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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?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20788173 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:35:11 EDT