Flash Advice Needed

[bbailey]

Looks like I'm going to have the opportunity to shoot some commercial work for a small local company or two. Most of it will be indoor portraits and candids for websites and promotional materials, so I need advice on an external flash.

Flash systems are my weakest subject. For these projects I could probably get by with the built in flash since they are in well lit offices, but I'm afraid without a diffuser the flash would look to harsh.

Would you recommend something like a 420 to start or go ahead and pony up for a 550 or 580EX? I hope to be doing more commercial work, as well as doing more portrait work for family, etc, so getting a good one now instead of having to buy twice makes more sense.

Any suggestions?

Edit: My camera is the 20D.

[Abel]

well first off i would say flash photography is also one of my weak points but i do know i would recommend getting either a 550ex or a 580ex first.

you may always want to get a 420ex later on to use as a slave but i would definitely spend a little more now and get a 550 or a 580

i own a 550 and i like it. im not sure what advantages the 580 has over it but im sure someone here can answer that for you.

[Jim Victory]

I would recommend the 580EX for your 20D because of the addition of Ettl-2, which your camera is set up for.

The built in flash works great on the 20D but I certainly wouldn't use it for a product shoot. You need to look at the environment you will be shooting in and if the ceilings are not to high then I would bounce my flash.If not you may need to look at a diffuser.

I have both the 550 and 580 and the 580 is definitely more intuitive. I like the control layout too.

Take some sample shots so you get the settings down and fire away.

[bbailey]

Thanks. I think I will bring in my camera tommorow and see how I do with the on camera flash. If I'm not happy with it I will order a 580EX. I will probably end up ordering it anyway sometime soon since the lack of decent light has kept me from taking more portrait/indoor shots.

Even though I'm sure I would get my $400 worth, my cheap side is telling me to wait. It doesn't help that I just spent money on upgrading to Photoshop either.

[sbug_adam]

i would rather use lighting like a spot or softbox as opposed to a flash.. but if you cant afford to do that then a 580 with a bounce should be nice

Adam

[bbailey]

I bit the bullet and order a 580EX last night. Now I can't wait until it gets here.

[Abel]

congrats! i know you will love it. it is so much better than the onboard flash...

[chloew]

To gain more flexibility I would suggest getting the cabling to be able to move the flash off the camera. Being able to have the flash at an angle to the camera and subject can make a big difference in how harsh the light will look. Ideally you would also add a small softbox or umbrella to the flash.

You may also want to invest in a medium size reflector that would allow you to bounce the light from the flash or other light source onto the subject from the other side, providing a more balanced lighting of your subject. Reflectors are also great for outdoor portraits to bounce the natural light upward into the face to eliminate some of the shadows and dark areas.