Affordable external flash? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

02/06/2008 07:26:27 PM · #1

I have the Canon Rebel XTI and am looking into purchasing an affordable external flash. I have had the Speedlite flashes recommended to me, but the most recent model is out of my price range...even the last one might be a little too high for me.
Any other recommendations?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

02/06/2008 07:28:52 PM · #2

What is your price range?

The 430EX is not that expensive.

fotomann_forever

02/06/2008 07:35:38 PM · #3

As far as eTTL flashes go, the Sigma 500 DG ST is hard to beat price/performance wise, although it lacks fine manual controls.

If you can live without TTL, the Sunpak 383 Auto flash is one hell of a flash and quite inexpensive. Just because it doesn't have TTL doesn't mean you have to go full manual. It has thyristor auto mode that uses a sensor to control output. It's quite accurate. It's about $80 at B&H. Also works well with cheap wireless triggers if you want to get the flash off camera.

Sunpak 383 flashes

02/06/2008 07:36:00 PM · #4

I don't know exactly what my cutoff dollar is going to be...but right now, less expensive is better as I am also trying to get a wireless remote...
I got my tax return back and am trying to invest some of it into more equipment that I have needed and been lacking. Unfortunately, with a multitude of other bills to pay off, the camera equipment is getting the short end of the stick.
I have vacation in a month and am hoping to be able to pick up something, even if it is not top of the line. Otherwise, I would try to hold on to my money and save for the better equipment.
I guess if I could stay in/under/around $200 for a flash I would be happy right now.

02/06/2008 07:36:57 PM · #5

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Please excuse my lack of knowledge here - but could you explain TTL to me? I have heard the term before but am not quite sure I understand it fully.

fotomann_forever

02/06/2008 07:39:58 PM · #6

Originally posted by ArpeggioAngel:

Please excuse my lack of knowledge here - but could you explain TTL to me? I have heard the term before but am not quite sure I understand it fully.

From wikipedia:
Through-the-lens (TTL) metering is a photographic technique in which measurements (usually of light levels) are made through the lens of a camera. The term most often refers to controlling the amount of light emitted from the flash by measuring the light falling back into the flash sensor â�� through the camera's lens.

In TTL, flash metering occurs after the shutter has been opened â�� the sensors record the amount of flash-created light returning to the camera through the lens and automatically shut off ("quench") the flash when an appropriate amount of light has been produced.

Basically TTL uses a sensor inside the camera to tell the flash when to cut off.

Thyristor Auto flashes, such as the Sunpak 383 use a sensor on the flash itself to know when to cut off.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/06/2008 07:49:53 PM · #7

Thank you. I appreciate the insight and input!

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

02/06/2008 08:05:30 PM · #8

Photonotes.org is a great site to get you a lot of the basics and terminology of flash photography, especially for canon users. Check it out!

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

02/06/2008 08:08:55 PM · #9

Just like to add that no current DSLR's support TTL.

The last DSLR to have TTL support was the Pentax *Ist DS. All current DSLR's support flash metering via preflash techniques.

bazz.

fotomann_forever

02/06/2008 08:14:26 PM · #10

True...

Canon uses E-TTL... Nikon iTTL. Still the principle of use is the same. A pre-flash hits a bounces off the subject and back to a sensor that then tells the flash the subject distance and it outputs accordingly.

But they are all measured through the lens.

inshaala

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

02/06/2008 08:16:17 PM · #11

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

As far as eTTL flashes go, the Sigma 500 DG ST is hard to beat price/performance wise, although it lacks fine manual controls.

Urm - i have heard the opposite... if you are going for the sigma range, dont bother with the DG ST - use the "Super" versions (slightly more expensive but pretty much half the price of the canon alternative 550 or 580 (depending if you go for the sigma 500 or 530))... i just got the 530 Super and am very impressed with it so far (it works with a 580ex as a master as well btw so you dont need to worry about future purchases) - it registers the 1.6x crop sensor and zooms appropriately, it has compatability with E-ttl II plus it has optic slave funtions so you can trigger it with your onboard flash... (although that is somewhat limiting if you dont want frontal fill flash - but useful nonetheless).

If it is just having a manual flash you can use offboard - consider buying some of the eBay remote triggers which mount on your hotshoe and using a manual flash:

//www.strobist.blogspot.com/

I cant recommend that site enough if you are thinking of off-board flash use :)