Flashgun Question

Jimmy_Lemon

Jimmy_Lemon

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Tom
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I don't own a flash for my 350d at the moment, and have never had need for one (and I dont really like using them) but I am doing the photos for a cousins wedding in about a week, and it has occured to me I am probably going to need a flash, if not just for insurance if the weather aint good. My dad has an old Metz flashgun from god knows when...its a good flashgun but I am not sure how easy it is going to be hooking it up to the 350! So I thought maybe I should just buy a Speedlite and keep in my camera bag incase its ever needed. I don't wanna spend much on something I am not going to use much so I am thinking about the 430 EX. Couple of questions about it though:
1. Is it powered by its own battery? (I was assuming it was)
2. If it is, then is the battery removable? and can you purchase spares. Warehouse Express doesnt seem to list any.
3. Is this flashgun gonna be that much use, or is it worth spending the extra on the 580 (which then brings in the whole mark 2 thingy)
4. Does anyone use an old Metz flasgun with a digital slr?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
 
I dont have a Metz, Tom, so cant comment.

I do have the 430 and the 580 and would suggest that for a wedding the 430 will be absolutely fine.

It takes x4 AA batteries so no problem there and you'll probably make a set last half a day. The recycle time is good and the range is good. Both the 430 and the 580 can adjust to sensor size - they will only send out a flash that is sufficient for a 1.6 crop if that is the body they are attached to. Clever huh? :)
 
Aha! Excellent cheers Jonny! Think I am gonna get a 430 anyway and then maybe look at what the metz might need to work just for fun :)
 
Jimmy_Lemon said:
I don't own a flash for my 350d at the moment, and have never had need for one (and I dont really like using them) but I am doing the photos for a cousins wedding in about a week, and it has occured to me I am probably going to need a flash, if not just for insurance if the weather aint good. My dad has an old Metz flashgun from god knows when...its a good flashgun but I am not sure how easy it is going to be hooking it up to the 350! So I thought maybe I should just buy a Speedlite and keep in my camera bag incase its ever needed. I don't wanna spend much on something I am not going to use much so I am thinking about the 430 EX. Couple of questions about it though:
1. Is it powered by its own battery? (I was assuming it was)
2. If it is, then is the battery removable? and can you purchase spares. Warehouse Express doesnt seem to list any.
3. Is this flashgun gonna be that much use, or is it worth spending the extra on the 580 (which then brings in the whole mark 2 thingy)
4. Does anyone use an old Metz flasgun with a digital slr?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
Click to expand...

1. It's sure to be.

2. Depends. Some of the better ones, you pliugged the whole unit into the mains to charge.

3. I think you need to be really wary of older flashguns, they had a much higher trigger voltage than modern guns and you could do a lot of damage. Not worth the risk in my opinion. ;) A modern ETTL gun will make life so much easier anyway. A flashgun is vital for pretty well all wedding shots unless you're lucky enough to get the most fantastic, non contrasty natural light, which hardly ever happens.

4. I don't.
 
Hi Jimmy,

You're welcome to borrow my 580EX for the wedding if you like, and a couple of sets of rechargeables and a charger.

Let me know, so that I can get them to you in time.
 
Using old flashes on new Dslr's can be dangerous, the trigger voltage was high enough on some old flashes to fry the circuitry in the camera instantly, or in some cases, progressively over a period of time. Check HERE for a fairly extensive list of whats what!
 
Cheers Doug - I went ahead an purchased a 430EX :D I know if I play with a 580EX I will want one and I really cant afford one :p Many thanks for the offer though :)

Cheers Gandhi, reading that link right now :)
 
don't forget to start experimaneting with the flash so you know what settings work and what not.
 
Yeah hence why I am getting it a bit before the event :) gonna have to have a good play with it :D
 
Blimey you'll need more than a week!

My flashgun manual is like War & Peace!

For anything as imortant as a wedding (unless Id been using it for about a year) I'd use it on auto ETTL II with a stofen omnibounce for portraits etc.... and let it do its own thing.
 
JL i've got the 430ex and its great, I use ikea batteries you get millions in a pack for a couple of quid, i'm not kidding they lasted for at least 600 shots before the re-cycling time took a very very slight hit and was taking 3-5 seconds to recycle.
 
I have a Metz 45 CL-4 which uses the SCA 300 system. It has its own battery pack which is re-chargeable. I have used it on my 20D but not before having lengthy telephone conversations with Calumet. Be very careful with certain models of the Metz as they are not all compatible with newer Dslrs cameras and as Ghandi mentioned above - It could fry your camera in seconds.

I only use the 580EX now with a Stofen omni-bounce fitted. However, the 430EX should meet all of your requirements until you have money to burn.
 
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