Need to buy a Flashgun

B

Bluenose

Suspended / Banned
Messages
660
Name
Geoff
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi folks, I was at a party recently and was making use of the built-in flash on my 7D but it fell badly short on a number of occasions so i really need to to get myself something decent.
I'm not overly keen on paying Canon prices but if it really comes down to it I will. However, a couple of friends have recommended that I take a look at some Nissin guns. I remember many years ago having a couple of Sunpak guns which I recall as being pretty good at the time, don't know what they are like these days though.
I wonder if some of you extremely helpful people out there would like to chip in with some thoughts of your own. I think that it is always very helpful to get some additional recommendations/guidance.
Many thanks in advance of any input.
 
From what I understand the 7D has wireless speedlite flash control. I think this means you can not only get an external flash but also take it off camera? I don't own one so am just going on my limited understanding on what I have read. I'm guessing the wireless control will only work with canon's speedlites? Could be very wrong indeed here. I think those of us with lesser cameras are guided to get cheap radio control triggers but I gather we lose E-TTL. I invested in the 580EX II with a view to controlling a couple of 430EX II's down the line but have so far not required extra guns. I think if you get no answers here you should have a search around Talk Lighting and ask there with anything more specific.
 
Like woodbutcher I'm not an expert, but with my 50d have also gone down the 580exII route as I think otherwise you lose ETTL, and I'm not yet at a stage to fly without all the aids Canon can give me! I bought a 430exII just yesterday (there's a great deal at Jessops) to try wireless (it does seem daft having a massive flash on the camera simply because it acts as a master, when it may be better off camera, but the cost of Canon's trigger is the same as another flashgun!) but with the 7D you have a head start with built in remote trigger, although presumably only with Canon guns? If I were you, I'd go Canon.
 
Is there no-one with anything to say about Nissin, or any other make for that matter!!!!
 
I have a 50D and I use Jessops 360AFD flash, cost is £99 unless they have a sale on.

I also use remote flash bought off ebay, very cheap but does what i want it to do.

If its something that is going to be stuck on the top of your camera and not used alot i agree about not paying alot for something that will get used very little.
You could also go the second hand rought for a cannon one but you are still talking mega bucks

spike
 
SpikeK6 said:
I have a 50D and I use Jessops 360AFD flash, cost is £99 unless they have a sale on.

I also use remote flash bought off ebay, very cheap but does what i want it to do.

If its something that is going to be stuck on the top of your camera and not used alot i agree about not paying alot for something that will get used very little.
You could also go the second hand rought for a cannon one but you are still talking mega bucks

spike
Click to expand...

They're £60 on the web site, in the Cheltenham store they were £80 or £90 but the chappy said they could match the web site price (despite what it says on the web site).
 
Bluenose said:
.....I'm not overly keen on paying Canon prices but if it really comes down to it I will.........I wonder if some of you extremely helpful people out there would like to chip in with some thoughts of your own.
Click to expand...
Is there no-one with anything to say about Nissin, or any other make for that matter!!!!
Click to expand...
I thought we had but we were a bit vague with no definitive answer I guess :shrug: I still think you would be better tailoring your question and putting it in Talk Lighting. I just had a quick search for Nissin on there and there are pages of threads to read so these forum members have them :thumbs:
 
Bluenose said:
Is there no-one with anything to say about Nissin, or any other make for that matter!!!!
Click to expand...

I am surprised that you found the built-in to be underpowered at a party.
I used mine at a wedding (as a guest), and found it was doing a pretty good job at lighting up half of the room. What were the aperture and time settings you were using?

Anyways, I have gone down the 580 EX II route myself, so that I could play with some creative lighting.

I also got a Yunguno flash recently to try and be more creative, not that impressed. It was £28 delivered, so not sure what I was expecting, I was hoping that I could slave it from the camera.
Unfortunately, it doesn't perform properly as a slave unit, (in S1 mode it flashes on the camera's pre-flash, in S2 it doesn't flash at all, even if I use the 580 as the second flasher). So to use it, I have to play in full manual with an RF trigger (cheapo £10 from ebay).

To give an idea on power. At 3/4s power of the yununo, it is darker than the 580 EX II dialed down three stops.
 
KC Leblanc said:
They're £60 on the web site, in the Cheltenham store they were £80 or £90 but the chappy said they could match the web site price (despite what it says on the web site).
Click to expand...

I went into Jessops today and just asked the guy behind the counter if he could order me one online, as it was £40 cheaper, he said "no problem" then said "didnt you ask this with your camera then tripod?"

Having not used a flashgun before, cant believe what a difference they make and how bright it is, think I've blinded my girlfriend though :lol:
 
Thanks for this woodbutcher, I never though to look on there, I was thinking that they would all be talking about spotlights and that sort of thing and not basic flash. I will go and do some searching. Thanks again.


woodbutcher said:
I thought we had but we were a bit vague with no definitive answer I guess :shrug: I still think you would be better tailoring your question and putting it in Talk Lighting. I just had a quick search for Nissin on there and there are pages of threads to read so these forum members have them :thumbs:
Click to expand...
 
If I'm honest coldpenguin it was the very first time that I had used the flash and also admit to not having read the manual regarding the use of the flash so I'm probably being a little unfair. However, having said that I think that I still intend to get myself a flashgun and at the moment, I am leaning, albeit ever so slightly, towards one of the Canon units. I am going to have a look at the 'Lighting Forum' first to see what I can glean from there. Thanks again.


coldpenguin said:
I am surprised that you found the built-in to be underpowered at a party.
I used mine at a wedding (as a guest), and found it was doing a pretty good job at lighting up half of the room. What were the aperture and time settings you were using?

Anyways, I have gone down the 580 EX II route myself, so that I could play with some creative lighting.

I also got a Yunguno flash recently to try and be more creative, not that impressed. It was £28 delivered, so not sure what I was expecting, I was hoping that I could slave it from the camera.
Unfortunately, it doesn't perform properly as a slave unit, (in S1 mode it flashes on the camera's pre-flash, in S2 it doesn't flash at all, even if I use the 580 as the second flasher). So to use it, I have to play in full manual with an RF trigger (cheapo £10 from ebay).

To give an idea on power. At 3/4s power of the yununo, it is darker than the 580 EX II dialed down three stops.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top