What flash should I get for a wedding?

[azure_eclipse]

Hi Everyone i recently was asked by a freind if i could please photograph her wedding. I have purchased a eos rebel t1i but have not yet purchased an external flash. I know i will defintely be needing one especially since it will be an indoor church wedding and during the evening.

I am stuck between the 430 and 580. I am not sure which one of those will work best. I would like to know anyones expereince with these flashes and their opinions on them.
I would like to keep a budget below 400 but if going above the budget will be worth it please let me know.

thank you so much!

[zona5101]

If you can afford the bigger flash then that is the way to go. I will add that shooting a shoe mounted flash directly with no bounce or diffusion will result in some not so great, very pedestrian images. Once you get your flash you should work on learning it's bounce capabilities, selecting a suitable diffuser and possible using a flash bracket to get the flash off axis.
Good luck.

[inkista]

If it's gonna hurt to get the 580EXII, then go for the 430EXII, it can get the job done, but agree with zona that the 580EXII is the better tool for the task, simply because you'll have more power and 360° swivel, which is better for bouncing. Bouncing is key to getting away from that hard flat look of direct on-axis flash, without going off-camera, Strobist style. If you're not afraid of shopping used, you might want to try looking for a 580EX. It's not quite as nice as the MkII (can't be controlled from the camera back, no PC port, no autothyristor), but it has the same power and swivel and should cost about $300-$350, used.

Disagree about the bracket, though. With the 360° swivel, and the black foam thingie , you can get away without using the bracket as long as you can bounce. And I'm a bit more on the fence about diffusers like the omnibounce and lightsphere. You can probably DIY something on the cheap just using craft foam, alcohol bottles, or, well, tupperware.

I'd go with vanNiekirk's black foamie thingie, and cutaway Omnibounces, and learning to let the ambient do the heavy lifting (i.e., try to use the flash more for fill than for full illumination of the scene), or Chuck Gardner's reflector/diffuser.

Flash photography isn't easy to learn quickly. Would suggest you get in some practice time and go through van Niekirk's website (or his book, which contains the same material as the flash photography techniques section plus some additional updates/corrections). He's a professional wedding photographer and his site is all about using on-camera flash, more specifically for wedding shooting, and it's a great learning resource for what you want to do.

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by azure_eclipse

Hi Everyone i recently was asked by a freind if i could please photograph her wedding

Make sure you really want to say yes, and that your friend realizes very precisely what the expectations are.

[WooD]

Originally Posted by mattdm

Make sure you really want to say yes, and that your friend realizes very precisely what the expectations are.

Best advice.

[azure_eclipse]

I want to say thank you to everyone for your wonderful advice. I went ahead and purchased the 580ex. I also did explain to her about me being just a hobby photographer...yet she still wanted to chose me to take them. I am excited about getting the opportunity to take them and now feel wayyy more confident with my new flash!
wish me luck

[inkista]

Congrats on the 580EX, and happy strobing!

[111t]

How long do you have to prepare? I agree that the 580exII is probably the go to wedding pro on camera flash... I would suggest that you need to be very comfortable with it before you shoot the wedding. It's a very complicated bit of electronics.

Also +1 on the home made foamy reflectors and modifiers. Make 'em and practice with them.

I could recommend a good book on wedding photography, it'd help you get into psyched up and focused on the job at hand.

Amazon.com: Mastering Digital Wedding Photography (9781598633290): James Karney: Books

This book has a lot of 'meat' to it. A lot of photo books are mostly fluff.

[pahowes]

I know you already purchased the 580EX-II, but as you add to your collection, consider the Nissin Di866. It's about $250 and is nearly a clone of the 580EX-II. eTTL-II is fully supported on EOS camera bodies.

Amazon.com: Nissin Di866 Speedlight for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, Guide number 198: Camera & Photo