Which Speedlite?

[pengster]

Hey guys, I'm new here,but I've been checking out this forum for quite some time already since i got into the camera craze recently :D Hope that this is the right section to post this.

So anyway, I just want to ask all you pros that is it advisable to get a 3rd party flash like the Nissin Di-622 or Sunpak PZ42X or just go ahead with the 430EX? Since the 430EX is above rm1k and Nissin etc is almost half of that. :)

Btw, I'm currently using a S5IS and will upgrade to the 400D/450D in the near future.lol.

Comments are much appreciated!

[ShaolinTiger]

Hey guys, I'm new here,but I've been checking out this forum for quite some time already since i got into the camera craze recently :D Hope that this is the right section to post this.

So anyway, I just want to ask all you pros that is it advisable to get a 3rd party flash like the Nissin Di-622 or Sunpak PZ42X or just go ahead with the 430EX? Since the 430EX is above rm1k and Nissin etc is almost half of that. :)

Btw, I'm currently using a S5IS and will upgrade to the 400D/450D in the near future.lol.

Comments are much appreciated!

I fully recommend getting the Canon flash, if you are looking for slave or backup flashes for off-camera the third party flashes are ok.

But if you are looking for more intelligent e-TTL flash for on camera use stick to Canon.

Get the 580EX II if you can! If not the 430 is fine.

[superman]

if you could afford it, straight go for 580EX-II, or else the next best option is 430EX, always go for original flash, as third party flash may not always be fully compatible with the camera.

Suggest you read the review on Canon Flash ...

580EX II
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-580EX-II-Speedlite-Flash-Review.aspx

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

[pengster]

Thanks ShaolinTiger and superman for your feedbacks. Thanks for the links too,superman.will check up on it. :D

Actually, I'm already leaning towards the 430EX as my choice but its alittle pricey for a beginner like me. Before this I was scouting for other alternatives and came up with the Nissin and Sunpak.both are around the regions of rm500-rm700 so it was rather tempting. But the only thing that held me back was the compatibility like you both said.lol.

Btw, is the 430EX worth the price of rm1.1k? Pardon my newbie-ness.hahaha. I've even tried on the 580EX II on my camera and took a few pics and i can say that I was heavily poisoned after that. =X

[noordin]

Get the Canon flash and get the most powerful in their line-up, 580EXII. Photography is about light, the more light the better! :D

[pengster]

I'd love to get the 580EX II but its around rm1.6k for a new one and since I just started out getting serious in photography, I dont think its necessary to get the highest end model :p

Besides, I dont have that much money :(

[mki88]

I will say that u save money for it. Just save some money to get one and I promise u will not be looking back. Third party flash can never compare with the canon one.

[pengster]

Thanks for all the comments guys,it's been really helpful. :)

Anyway,is it advisable to get grey sets for flashes? I just called up YL camera and the 430EX is rm900 with 3 months warranty. I'm not sure if 3 months warranty is long enough.Thanks.lol

[paulkongck]

anybody use sigma flash 530 super before? any comment? it have the feauture that can be use as slave by any camera with preflash. But not much review found on this flash unit. and the price is reasonable. Is it a good deal with this flash?

[mki88]

Thanks for all the comments guys,it's been really helpful. :)

Anyway,is it advisable to get grey sets for flashes? I just called up YL camera and the 430EX is rm900 with 3 months warranty. I'm not sure if 3 months warranty is long enough.Thanks.lol

Grey set? Same story. If u has the cash, go for the genuine one. If not, grey set is the for u.

Grey set is also original Canon product, just that it is imported so it is not recognised by Canon Malaysia. Buying grey set really depends on luck. If u are lucky enough, u will get a flash that doesn't give u any trouble. If not, once it stops firing after 3 months, then u will have to take out your cash to repair it.

Genuine set, Canon repairs for u. Grey set, most probably the shop will do the repairing. So if u are lucky, your will not have to repair it. So as I said, it is really depends on luck when deciding on grey set. Anyhow, it is rare to hear canon flash not working. So I guess grey set shouldn't be any problem. (again, if u are lucky)

[ShaolinTiger]

Genuine set, Canon repairs for u. Grey set, most probably the shop will do the repairing. So if u are lucky, your will not have to repair it. So as I said, it is really depends when deciding on grey set. Anyhow, it is rare to hear canon flash not working. So I guess grey set shouldn't be any problem. (again, if u are lucky)

Canon will repair the grey set, not the shop. Difference is you'll have to pay for it :)

[mki88]

Canon will repair the grey set, not the shop. Difference is you'll have to pay for it :)

Oh ya. That's correct. Thanks for the correction ST. :)

[newdaddy]

Jz another opinion for your reference only. I remember one thread talk about the lifespan of speedlite. So I jz wondering...(pls correct me if I'm wrong:) )If u r still beginner and start using 580ex. by the time u r pro ur speedlite could b half way of its life span... that's before u could use it as Master to command the others as slave ...
u can find out from the camera shop whether this 3rd party can b use as slave or not. If they can, probably now u get a cheap one to practice with it than later when u r good u can buy 580ex and mk use of the 3rd party one as a slave..
even if u regret & sell away u'll lose not much since it is cheap cheap... (nissin RM500++ ??)
yet again, 430ex head only can turn up and down which is less versatile... so my point here is, u can either go 3rd party which is cheap cheap (yet u can turn it up down left right..) or save enough $$ and go straight to 580ex... don't get 430ex .. i think...

[pengster]

@mki88
hmm icic.thanks for the feedback.normal canon warranty for flashes is one year am i right?not too sure about that.lol.i guess if the flash works flawlessly for 3 months it should have no reason to suddenly stop working right?haha.but yalah,depends on my luck too.

@newdaddy
The 430EX allows turning left and right if im not mistaken.just that the 580EX allows an additional 7degrees downwards and full 180degrees rotation to the right. But yeah, I was planning to get a more affordable flash first then later only get a better one but I'm worried about the compatibility.since now im not using a dSLR yet,but a prosumer. :(

thanks anyway :)

[nfariz8]

i bought the 580 and it was off my budget so i ended up with empty pocket at that time and my only comment to myself is "money well spent".. hehe..:D

maybe you can hold on to that budget and save a bit more and get a good flash.. at least get the 430 as it is good enough.. 3rd party like ST said, for backup or off camera is ok..

[pengster]

Yeah thats sorta my plan now. Get the 430EX first then later in the future only upgrade to the 580EX II or another new model when I think I'm good enough in photography.

But,i was wondering,for average users,the 430EX should be more then capable enough right?lols.

[mki88]

But,i was wondering,for average users,the 430EX should be more then capable enough right?lols.

The answer to this question would be a solid YES. Get it. It works better than those 3rd party for sure.

[pengster]

Ahh okay thats great to know. :D Thanks.since im not a pro by any means yet,no need to get the best of the best first la.hahaha. prolly will be getting the 430EX + Lambency dome diffuser. Hopefully my dad agrees to that lah.still have to discuss with him.haha.

Just for fun,my camera with Aaronfoo's 580EX II. Hope its okay to post it here.after using his flash for awhile,kena poison badly adi. :tongue_roll:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4782/dsc01936mi2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[mki88]

Ahh okay thats great to know. :D Thanks.since im not a pro by any means yet,no need to get the best of the best first la.hahaha. prolly will be getting the 430EX + Lambency dome diffuser. Hopefully my dad agrees to that lah.still have to discuss with him.haha.

Just show him some beautiful images taken by the flash :D :D

[pengster]

Haha yeah i did. Thanks alot guys, you all have been really helpful to me. Got my 430EX already. :D

[mki88]

Haha yeah i did. Thanks alot guys, you all have been really helpful to me. Got my 430EX already. :D

Hahaha so fast. That's great to know. Show us your flash shots k. :)

Remember to shoot, shoot, shoot.

[pengster]

Yeah sure will do.but dont expect much from a newbie and his prosumer XD

Was snapping tons of pics just now as soon as i got my 430EX. Simply love the bounce effect. :D