Discussion
Are you managing the flash use manually or relying on eTTL (or similar?)
If you are not relying on eTTL then it is reasonable to assume that almost any reasonably decent (and within colour tolerance range) flash would probably be OK but it's up to you to set the stuff up to get the results you want. How you do that would depend on the facilities of the flash unit of course.
If it's eTTL you want then I can't offer any ideas. If they claim compatibility and web resources say it works it may be pretty much the cheapest way to go. Whether that makes it the best option I would not know.
I have a 580 EX II, and old Canon flash from deep in the days of film (bought on eBay a few years ago but never used ...) and a collection of Metz stuff that I gathered for a specific idea that, for various reasons, never progressed after the initial test set up try out. (The opportunity was a bit specific and was never repeated.)
Things can be achieved but getting a good balance from the different technologies and concepts involved can be a bit if a nightmare and the more automated aspects are a problem rather than a benefit. IMO.
If you are not relying on eTTL then it is reasonable to assume that almost any reasonably decent (and within colour tolerance range) flash would probably be OK but it's up to you to set the stuff up to get the results you want. How you do that would depend on the facilities of the flash unit of course.
If it's eTTL you want then I can't offer any ideas. If they claim compatibility and web resources say it works it may be pretty much the cheapest way to go. Whether that makes it the best option I would not know.
I have a 580 EX II, and old Canon flash from deep in the days of film (bought on eBay a few years ago but never used ...) and a collection of Metz stuff that I gathered for a specific idea that, for various reasons, never progressed after the initial test set up try out. (The opportunity was a bit specific and was never repeated.)
Things can be achieved but getting a good balance from the different technologies and concepts involved can be a bit if a nightmare and the more automated aspects are a problem rather than a benefit. IMO.
Typo Edited by LongQ on Friday 12th September 13:14
Edited by LongQ on Saturday 13th September 14:02
ETTL would be nice, especially as it's looking likely that we'll be getting another Canon body for my daughter before too long, but the biggest thing for me is the ability for a new flash to be able be remotely fired by my 7D, as the 430EX II can be and as it appears the YN565EX can as well. I'm not sure the older Canon flashes can do this (pretty sure the original 430EX can't).
Dogsey said:
ETTL would be nice, especially as it's looking likely that we'll be getting another Canon body for my daughter before too long, but the biggest thing for me is the ability for a new flash to be able be remotely fired by my 7D, as the 430EX II can be and as it appears the YN565EX can as well. I'm not sure the older Canon flashes can do this (pretty sure the original 430EX can't).
eTTL may not be the best options for portrait work. I think most regular flash/portrait operators do manual.Likewise they may well use cables rather than IR or Radio triggering in a studio type indoor environment.
I started out with old manual flash units anyway so bit the bullet and bought radio triggers as I had a project for multiple outdoor flash use over a wide area. I needed the range and reliability and the control that radio gave me in that situation.
One of the challenges with eTTL (or using older flash units with exposure sensing capabilities in play) is that you end up spending most of your time trying to double guess what the smart things are going to do as you try to make adjustments. That can be a pain. Whether a more integrated set of kit than I have would make a difference I don't yet know. If I can find another 580 EX II at my target price I will probably find out!
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