Speedlight - Convince me!

SteveTolcher

SteveTolcher

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So I’ve been using a Jessops 360AFD for a year or so, and never had any issues with it. I’m in the market for a spare , so was going to shell out for a used 430 EXII etc and keep the 360AFD as a backup. However, I am struggling to justify the extra money (I have some new glass in mind too, and I’ve recently upgraded to a 5D Body so am counting the pennies) I suppose it’s just ignorance on my part; so please enlighten me (pardon the pun! ;))

The Jessops Flash is cheap and cheerful it can swivel, bounce, act as a slave, has a built in Diffuser, 5 Level power ratio : 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 etc.

I never use it in the studio, as I have dedicated flash heads for all my portrait work.

I suppose it is only used for indoor photography when my 2.8 lenses won’t cut it.

I’m sure there are many, many reasons I should go for a 430 EXII, but need some persuading ..... Comments would be appreciated
 
High speed sync is probably the main thing, and perhaps second curtain sync - do you get that with the Jessops gun? And is the slave function E-TTL?
 
Hi Steve,

just seen your post and having only one speedlight, you may not have considered the considerable advantages of using 2 or 3 light sources.

The advantages of positioning correctly balanced light with variable intensity are that you can achieve a far better image that looks as good as any professional.

If you have not already done so, I suggest that you attend a studio lighting course which will give you precise information on how to position light and change the intensity to achieve different results.

I have attended a couple of lighting courses, one at Bradford with the Lencarta guru, Garry Edwards, and another in Birmingham. Both gave me ideas but the Bradford one is really a 'must do' for anyone serious about getting correct lighting. The fact that it is studio lighting and you use speedlights makes no difference when learning how to balance the light correctly. I think you will be amazed with what you will learn and the course cost is only £60, a bargain if ever there was one.

Best of luck. ............................ by the way, I have the 430EXii as well as the 580EXii and am thinking of getting another speedlight to improve results.

All the best
 
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I'd recommend the Nissin Di866 and the Di688 or what ever its called, and at£120 for the 6 series it's really affordable
 
Unless you do a lot of TTL work where the 430 may have some kind of edge over the Jessops flash, is there any need to go for a full-on OEM-type flash? Is manual flash control going to be a problem?...
 
Just a thought that Intro2020 have a Canon-fit Metz 50 AF-1 (mfr refurb) for sale on their Ebay store for £148 incl P&P, which should give you ETTL and many other features you would get on the Canon gun for a fraction of the cost. They are Emay powersellers with 100% f/b so should be OK - at least I've found them good a couple of times. They are also the importer for Metz as well as service provider so should be no problem with refurb.

Ernie
 
Cheers all (Sorry for the late replies!)

Decided that E-TTL would be advantageous so I've treated myself to a 430EX II. I'll keep the 360AFD as a backup unit.

Thanks all.
 
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