Speedlite Only Or Speedlite + Other Bits $$$ ?

[David]

Made a decision to get a Canon Speedlite 430 EX and went looking for quotes thinking you pay out x dollars, and they give a speedlite you can attach to your cameras shoe or run away from the camera on a cable and..BUT no (apparently) you have to pay more for the 'options' The suggested other purchases on one site were -----

1. Flash Diffuser: Softbox Diffuser (10.00)
2. Off Camera Shoe Cord : DC E3 Off camera shoe cord (125.00), and
3. Canon Speedlite Bracket: Canon Speedlite Bracket 5B-E2 (349.00)

All listed as 'options' along with the flippin speedlite.

Cant I just buy the flippin Speedlite and mount on top of my camera shoe for portrait shots indoors or providing more even light in a rainforest ? or do I have to have the other bits (1-3) as well to be able to manipulate the lighting effect of the speedlite better .

IF Im only going to be doing the occassional family happy snaps and occassionally using it to light up a rainforest scene better do I really need all that other stuff ?

What body ? a Canon 400D.

[JM Tran]

you can always buy aftermarket brackets for much cheaper, like the Inca one which comes with the shoe cord for around $180 or so

why not a radio wireless trigger and receiver for off camera flash work? mounted on a light stand and with brolly etc

www.##############.com.au

or

www.###########.com.au

[Speedway]

I just purchased a flash from here for my 400D http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380137840925 It came with all the extras you mention for $200.00 including remote trigger from built in flash. Like you I couldn't justify the expense of a genuine flash. The couple of times I have used it. it performed well. As I only got it e few days ago I haven't had much time to test it out yet.

[41jas]

Normally you would buy your speedlite separate to the brackets and defusers. A defuser would be handy. More so than a bracket until you get to understand the flash better but I really don't think you would use it. You can reflect the flash to stop red eye and I'm not sure with the 430ex but with the 580ex you have pull out defusers and reflectors in it. You would only need a 430ex for the 400D. I'm also looking at getting one of those white defusers you attach to the flash head. They are great.
So if you have to...go #1.

[AuLi]

Made a decision to get a Canon Speedlite 430 EX and went looking for quotes thinking you pay out x dollars, and they give a speedlite you can attach to your cameras shoe or run away from the camera on a cable and..BUT no (apparently) you have to pay more for the 'options' The suggested other purchases on one site were -----

1. Flash Diffuser: Softbox Diffuser (10.00)
2. Off Camera Shoe Cord : DC E3 Off camera shoe cord (125.00), and
3. Canon Speedlite Bracket: Canon Speedlite Bracket 5B-E2 (349.00)

All listed as 'options' along with the flippin speedlite.

Cant I just buy the flippin Speedlite and mount on top of my camera shoe for portrait shots indoors or providing more even light in a rainforest ? or do I have to have the other bits (1-3) as well to be able to manipulate the lighting effect of the speedlite better .

IF Im only going to be doing the occassional family happy snaps and occassionally using it to light up a rainforest scene better do I really need all that other stuff ?

What body ? a Canon 400D.

I would go for off shoe cord, but not Canon. Something like FlashZebra. (http://www.flashzebra.com/ttlcords/ettlcords/index.shtml)

And a diffuser. Definitely :).
Here is a diffuser rating page: best flash diffuser (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/best-flash-diffuser/)

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/demb-flash-diffuser/images/demb-flash-diffuser-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector/images/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-quik-bounce-flash-reflector/images/lumiquest-quik-bounce-flash-reflector-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/presslite-vertex-flash-reflector/images/presslite-vertex-flash-reflector-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/hanson-skin-glow-flash-reflector/images/hanson-skin-glow-flash-reflector-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-promax-system-flash-diffuser/images/lumiquest-promax-system-flash-diffuser-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/diffuseit-flash-reflector/images/diffuseit-flash-reflector-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser/images/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/gary-fong-whaletail-flash-diffuser/images/gary-fong-whaletail-flash-diffuser-icon.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/f16-p45a-001-flash-reflector/images/f16-p45a-001-flash-reflector-icon.jpg

Hope this helps.
Cheers!

[yummymummy]

I also got the same one from ebay as mentioned up there ^^ It's fabulous! Still have to get the cord yet, but I've seen them on ebay for about $50?

[Jimbo]

Buy the speedlite, and maybe the diffuser. Learn to use it on camera, bouncing off ceilings and walls (assuming the 430 has a swivel head). That's probably enough for what you want it for.

Read as much as you can on Strobist.com (http://strobist.blogspot.com). Then investigate other options like wireless triggers, sync cords, brollies, light stands etc, when you understand how they are meant to be used.

$350 for a bracket??? :eek: bugger that, unless you're doing some kind of event photography (ie walking around a crowd taking photos at a wedding/party/corporate do). No advantage (over shoe-mounting) for posed portraits, better off using:
- 1 lightstand
- 1 brolly
- 1 wall
- 1 sync cord or wireless trigger

All of which can be had for about $100, and will look much better than a photo taken using a bracket. Here's an example of what you can achieve with this set up:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f209/eurotrashbag/20-365.jpg

[David]

Thank you everyone for the very helpful advise and information.

Based on what people have suggested, I am going to get the speedlite 430 EX either from a local store (370.00 for the 430 EX) or 300.00 off an Australian supplier on Ebay IF my bid holds to midnight tonight) and the diffuser. I have also ordered a Shoe Cord but for 43.00 instead of the 125.00 quoted me.

Im not going to get the bracket thingo unless I am convinced someday that I need it- According to you guys I either A. Wont ever use ir or B. Wont know how to get the benefits of it due to lack of experience/knowledge so it would be a waste of money for now at least.

Thanks Jimbo for the heads up and advise about where to go to get started on learning about this genre of photography. I have to visit portrait photography tips/theory/writers/photographers on the net and people who have good lighting know how too.

Very very much appreciated everyone: thank you :)

[Jimbo]

No worries. FWIW, I saw a knockoff flash bracket on Ebay the other day for about $75, so if you ever do want one shop around. That pretty much goes for most Canon accessories - shutter cables, batteries etc.

This (http://scottj.info/files/strobist-lighting101.pdf) is a good summary of the Strobist.com beginner lessons, save you trawling through the website.

[David]

Jimbo next time Im down around Salamanca Place (November planned at the moment) Im gonna find you and shout you a few wet ones at your local...the information on the page you linked me to is just awesome for newbies to the flash world: fantastic stuff. :) Ive read most of it today and understood almost none of it..but thats all good.. its going to take time to absorb all that info but its very very good.

[JM Tran]

one thing I have found wrong with that useful strobist guide


Another caveat: Do not use a Nikon flash directly on the
hot shoe of a Canon camera. The flash could damage the
camera, or vice versa. If you shoot Canon and get one of
the old Nikon SB's, just keep it with the stand and
umbrella in a "light bag," which you grab whenever you plan to light off-camera. Which should be
more and more, once you learn how

sorry but my old Nikon SB25 lived on my pentax and canon bodies for over 2 yrs with thousands of shots, now it lives on a Pentax body since I sold it to a friend, he has put thousands of shots through it too.

[David]

[QUOTE=AuLi;358744]I would go for off shoe cord, but not Canon. Something like FlashZebra. (http://www.flashzebra.com/ttlcords/ettlcords/index.shtml)

And a diffuser. Definitely :).
Here is a diffuser rating page: best flash diffuser (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/best-flash-diffuser/)QUOTE]

Having looked at the review, Im thinking about the Demb Flash Diffuser PRO

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/demb-flash-diffuser/

But I think for my level it may be like buying a corvett stingray to go to the supermarket so Im going to stick with a basic Flash Diffuser for now.

[Analog6]

Would that flash go on 20D / 30D / 1D MkII N? I am a total flash novice, folks, don't want to spend heaps yet, I want something to try out.

[Jimbo]

Jimbo next time Im down around Salamanca Place (November planned at the moment) Im gonna find you and shout you a few wet ones at your local...the information on the page you linked me to is just awesome for newbies to the flash world: fantastic stuff. :) Ive read most of it today and understood almost none of it..but thats all good.. its going to take time to absorb all that info but its very very good.

LOL, no worries. I found it years ago and I'm still absorbing slowly..

[David]

Would that flash go on 20D / 30D / 1D MkII N? I am a total flash novice, folks, don't want to spend heaps yet, I want something to try out.

The simple answer is O is to call the local camera shop ( I went to Teds Camera Warehouse in town) and ask them if your camera is compatable then take your camera to the store and ask them to break one out of the box and test it on your camera. If your camera is an A body camera and a Canon anything from the 430EX through to the newer models will very very likely work on your Canons.

[tanalasta]

I agree. Best way to decide on equipment and accessories is to test it.

A good camera store should always have a spare body or samples on hand, though it is usually more convenient to take your own. Then happy snap away and see if you like the results.

Probably worthwhile getting the flash with a diffuser as others have suggested.

[pollen]

wow some of the items discussed would be a colossal waste of money

I think the best choice would be to just buy a 580EX II or two and perhaps some ebay wireless triggers like the Yongnuos.

A flash bracket? These are long obsolete for most photographers - I don't think anyone uses one of these except Paparrazi because they have to use direct flash in portrait orientation view.

[nexus]

As for diffusers you can try to get a cheap sto-fen kind diffuser or just hook your flash up with a white cardboard as a bounce card, plenty of DIY options although with ebay these don't cost alot!