What Kind of Flash Should I Buy?

[jordankreationz]

I'm going to take the plunge and buy an external flash unit for my Digital Rebel. I need it mainly for portrait and wedding type stuff. People will not leave me alone for these weddings and I don't like being a wedding photographer that much (too much work for me) but I keep saying yes like an idiot.
Anyway I don't know the first thing about external flashes and slaves and all that kinda stuff. Can someone recommend something or send me to a website that will enlighten me on what I might need? This next wedding coming up will be at 500pm so not sure what the lighting will be like and the reception will be outdoors at their home.
I want the perfect combination we all want...cheap and good.

Thanks for any help you can give me...
DJ

[mattchow]

since you have the rebel, either the sigma ef-500 dg super or 550ex from canon. i dont think your camera takes advantage of the 580ex's new features as compared to the 550.

[JamesB]

contact eurotrash here on the board, he has a sigma flash for sale at a good price

James

[Seb]

I have the 580EX for my 20D and am very pleased with it. It can adjust flash output based on crop size, so it will detect the 1.6x or 1.3x sensors. This ofcourse extends battery life. Apart from that I have found it to be a great performer for fill flash which I imagine you will need for the wedding shots. There might be some rebate on it right now.

Seb

[David Price]

Try this link for openers. There is another realy good one out there but I don't have it bookmarked here at work. Maybe someone else will post it up before I get home this evening.

http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/

~dp

[Abel]

i have a canon 550ex that ill be putting for sale here on the forum sometime tonight...

[David Price]

Originally Posted by jordankreationz

Anyway I don't know the first thing about external flashes and slaves and all that kinda stuff. Can someone recommend something or send me to a website that will enlighten me on what I might need?

Thanks for any help you can give me...
DJ

Here it is, everything you you could possi....... Looks like too much reading for me but I bet it'll answer most of your questions about the tech side.

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/


~dp

[AjP]

its up to you, if you can $$ get 580Ex... awesome flash, if not... 550 or 420

[Glen_A]

I hope this helps:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...peedlites.html

[cmalana]

If you're shooting a rebel right now, I'd pick up either a Canon 550ex or a Sigma Super. I think there are used deals going on right now in the buy&sell section of this forum. Why? Because it will meet all your needs and they will be available at a price where IF you made a mistake and desire something else, you would not lose much (think of it as a 'rental fee'). Both flashes are available for around $200 (give or take $30). If you resold, you wouldn't have to worry about losing more than probably $10-15 plus shipping if you kept them in good condition.

Important thing is to get that flash and start that learning curve. Either will provide you with more than enough functions/capabilities. If you get a 420 or something with less functionality, you may regret it. I can't see you going wrong with either. In fact, I may end up picking up one of those myself (and I already have 3 flashes)

Hope this helps.