Flashy Question....nikon bods need not reply...

[nighthawk]

I'm in need of a flash gun to sit on top of my 20D. I know the 580ex is the top of the pile in this area but it's also the thick end of £300 :yikes: and I don't think I'd ever use it fully.

Whats the verdict on the Sigma super 500DG and the Canon 430ex, anyone used one of them in anger?

The 430 looks like it'll do most of what it's bigger brother can do for 1/2 the cost.

[joust]

550 is an excellent choice and what I have, and I've never thought "oh, I wish I could have a 580".

The 580, as I understand from the Canon mag, main difference is it knows if your camera is full or 1/1.6 sized, and hence adjusts appropiatly. If you are a pro shooting hundreds of shots this might be important, otherwise the 550 seems good in all respects.

To boot, the 550 can be had for around £100-150 second hand, or £180-200 new

e.g. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-550EX-SPEEDLIGHT-FLASH-20D-350D-10D-300D-1DS-1V_W0QQitemZ7549849110QQcategoryZ15221QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-550EX-speedlight-Brand-New-UK-stock_W0QQitemZ7550083482QQcategoryZ48515QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

J

[Bee_Jay]

What he said ^^^^

The 430 is good, but the 550 is excellent and a real bargain if you can find one.

[Ian_H]

There was a company advertising in EOS magazine selling brand new 550ex's for £150, I'll see if I can dig it out tomorrow, I have a feeling it was Fixation but don't quote me on that.



Cheers
Ian

[nighthawk]

I'd be interested in the link if you can find it Ian


The 430 is listed as having the ability to read colour temp information and sensor size and is about the same price as the 550.

The only things is seems it won't do the same as the 580 is

Slightly less powerful...I'm guessing it'll be fine for indoor family type stuff

slower recycle time....I'm hardly a pro snapper, it takes me all my time to take one shot.

and it can't be used to fire slave flashes, thats ok because I don't have any

[Ian_H]

It was Fixation, the offer says 1 new 550ex £150 inc vat & P&P, it may be worth saying you saw it in EOS magazine as I have seen Fixations adverts in other mags with no mention of the offer

Fixation Tel:[phone]


Cheers
Ian

[dcw@pr]

I was about to post a diatribe on how the 550EX was only compatible with ETTL, and the 580EX was ETTL-II, but I thought to check the web first, and aparently that is entirely to do with the body not the flash itself. glad i didn't make that post now...

i would still get the 580 though, it looks so much cooler!

[monkeyhanger]

The 550 and Sigma 500 Super are much of a muchness in all but build quality...the Canon wins hands down on that.

I have the Sigma and it's a good piece of kit.

That said, it'll be the 580 for me after Xmas

>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Friday 30th September 22:59

[nighthawk]

Well today I bought the 430EX which looks as if it'll do pretty much everything I need it to do.

And, Canon have said that they'll give the £35 cash back on it, if i send in the voucher for the 420ex.

So thats a bonus.....because i'd forgotten all about the cash back vouchers. even better news is that i'll also get 35 quid back on the ef-s 60 I bought last month

I've also placed an order with 7dayshop for some 2500mah cells and a charger,

Thanks for the replies guys.

[poah]

got the sigma and just bought the canon 430ex for 166 delivered

>> Edited by poah on Monday 3rd October 19:22