Which Flashgun For Canon 5d

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Hi All

I will be getting the canon 5d mk ii camera shortly and was wondering as to what flashgun to get for it?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated
 
if you are just going to use the 1 flashgun i can recommend the 430 ex II asits the same set up i have ...lot cheaper than the 580 ex II but doesn't have the inbuilt xmitter (which if you only use 1 flash you wont need)

hope this helps

Andy
 
If your only ever going to need 1 flashgun and not use two, then yes go for the above, if your going to use more than 1 then either the 580exII or the 430exII + ST E2 command unit.

If your just going for the 1 430 get an of camera cord as it expands the versatility of the flash.
 
What's your budget. Canon have Speedlite 430 EX II (£200) and Speedlite 580 EX II (£350)

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-430EX-Speedlite-Flash-Review.aspx

The 430EX has a Guide Number of 141' (43 m) while the 580EX has a Guide Number of 190' (58 m) (both at 105mm). The 430EX is not under powered for many uses, but the 580EX's significant power advantage can become important when using a flash modifier such as an umbrella, softbox or diffuser - or bouncing light off a high ceiling. In addition to being more powerful, the 580EX allows 1/1 (full power) to 1/128 power in 1/3-stop increments while the 430EX allows power settings from 1/1 to 1/64 in more granular 1-stop increments.

The other primary difference is that the 580EX can be used as a master to trigger remote Canon wireless slave flashes while the 430EX can only act as a slave flash.
Click to expand...
 
Don't forget second hand....
I now have two 580EX's and a 430EX for the price of a new 580EX11.
They all look and work like new.
 
I have no hesitation in recommending the Canon Speedlites - the 580EX or EXII would be my choice - if you'd prefer to tighten your belt a little and still get a very capable piece of kit then opt for the Canon 430EX or EXII.

A couple of notable differences between the models are that the 580 has better controls on the rear (menu selections via a wheel opposed to the traditional fiddly buttons on a small surface area) and it has the ability to act as a master if you expand later and buy 430EX's as wireless slave units.
 
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580 EXII!!

It's a shame, but with your 5DmkII I don't think you get built in wireless flash control


You can always add another 580 or a 430 later on.
 
OK let get the first thing out the way buy a CANON, yes there are compatibles and yes some look very good indeed, but you want one that you KNOW will work with your camera and will give true ETTL settings (exposure).

Now if your buying new you only have a few choices.
Canon Speedlite 270EX Don't bother a waste of your money
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Excellent and will do the job well.
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Top of the range all the bells and whistles, but top money too.

For me it would all depend on how much of a wrench spending £300+ on a flash would be.
All my friends have the 430 and are more than happy with it, but I'm a buy once type of guy, I'm only ever going to need one speed-light for the type of stuff I do, so I bought the best a 580EX II.

Now if I do want a multi flash set-up in the future, I could borrow a mates 480 as my 580 has the master trigger built in.
 
If you decide to go for the 580EXII then check out Kerso I got 2nd one from him for about £300 I think it was.
 
Thanks, Guys. That helps alot. I think I will probably go for the 430 for now, and see how I get on.
 
Unless you have a pressing need for the additional features offered by the 580 and can justify spending the extra cash in that respect, I doubt you'll be disappointed with the results from the 430. :)
 
I would also say get a Canon. The 430 II is a great flash, the 580II are also bigger and heavier which may be worth taking into account.

The 580II can go down to 1/128 and recycles faster which is nice.
 
Go with the 430 for now and should you wish to expand later, you could then go for the 580mk2 and utilise the remote trigger facillity for your already owned 430.
 
Get a 430 to start with, and get the 580 if you need the extra features later- you won't lose much money on them :)
 
430 is a great flash, but the 580 is so much better.

...if you only have one flash you won't be able to get it off camera if you need flash as main light. That means you'll need to do more bouncing and it is really good to have the extra power that the 580 gives because of the extra distances involved in bouncing.

Both flashes have a nicely adjustable head, but the 580 will also let you "head-down" if you are doing close work but more importantly it has a pull up "key light" card which I found fantastically useful.

When I wanted to use flash as fill in a place with low white ceilings I used to attach a lumiquest 80/20, but with the 580 pointing up with its key light card up, it is almost as good. I hardly use the 80/20 now.

Of course the 580 is a transmitter for multi-speedlite situations too.

If you can afford it, go for the 580.

Steve
 
I wouldn't rule 3rd party solutions like the YongNuo stuff, The YN-560 is a good bit of gear! Granted they dont have ETTL but I dont use TTL for flash.
 
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Diadem said:
I wouldn't rule 3rd party solutions line the YongNuo stuff, The YN-560 is a good bit of gear! Granted they dont have ETTL but I dont use TTL for flash.
Click to expand...

90+% of people will for any on camera flash, as generally speed is the reason its on camera not off
 
david1701 said:
90+% of people will for any on camera flash, as generally speed is the reason its on camera not off
Click to expand...

Speed is no issue when using a manual flash on camera and in doors (wouldn't use on camera outdoors). Take a couple test shots then you are good to go, keeping note of the ambiant meter reading and compensating is easy.

I do all my events with manual flash birthdays, christenings etc.. But that is me and I know my gear very well.
 
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