Flash buying advice please

[Weetobix]

I'm pretty new to flash photography, but I'm not liking the results I get from the onboard flash on my EOS 30D, so I am thinking a flash unit may the way to go.

I have the opportunity to get a Speedlite 550ex for £150 and was wondering what people's opinions were.
Will this work well with my 30D?
Is £150 a good price?
Are there any better alternatives for the same price range?

Thanks in advance

 

[david1701]

15 quid is basically a used 550ex or 430exII both work on your camera, both are good (I can only personally rate the 430EXII as thats what I have)

The 550 is more powerful and can act as a master if you later pick up more 500 580 or 430 ex's

The 430 is newer

not 100% on which will recycle faster as the 550 is a bigger gun but the 430 is newer tech


I'd buy the 550ex, tbh if I had 150 on my I would consider one right now

 

[specialman]

550ex for £150 - grab it now. Brilliant flash and will work wirelessly with other 550/580ex flashes. Great piece of kit

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Argos had new 430EXs for £116, but they're probably all gone by now..

 

[Weetobix]

Argos do still have them, but they sell for £195 now

Has anyone got a 550 and know what the refresh time is like?

 

[andyred]

Argos do still have them, but they sell for £195 now

Think thats the EXii, the £116 would have been the EXi, Comet did a similar price approx 1 month ago

 

[admirable]

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=134990

 

[seriousrikk]

For a 550EX I would say it would need to be in good nick with box etc for £150.

I have one and I've not felt the need to upgrade. With good batteries the cycle time is pretty swift - I've had one or two nofires when I rattle off multiple frames using high flash power in rapid succession but if they are low power flashes it can even manage that.