Flash - (fashion photographers come hither)

[kamikaze_productions]

One more question....I'm looking to start using flash. I've always used natural light and tried to harness it but I want to be able to shoot more inside and get a little more creative. I have a canon40d. What would be the best and most affordable flash? I have a bid out for a 550ex ttl flash on ebay.

In addition, what flash would i need to be able to use the flash off the camera and still have it sync to the camera? If I do choose to shoot the flash off-camera, do i need another device for the camera's hotshoe?

Lastly, with all the flash questions out of the way...what reflectors are a good buy?

[OsmosisStudios]

With Nikon it's a bit easier: most cameras can trigger the SB flashes off-camera.

With Canon, not so much. You need either a 530EXii to act as a master or the 7D (because it has master flash a-la-Nikon).

If you go the 580EXii route, you then need one or more of a select list of flashes to act as slaves.

Your BEST bet, however, is to get some radio triggers and either some cheap dummy flashes or a studio strobe setup.

[kamikaze_productions]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

With Nikon it's a bit easier: most cameras can trigger the SB flashes off-camera.

With Canon, not so much. You need either a 530EXii to act as a master or the 7D (because it has master flash a-la-Nikon).

If you go the 580EXii route, you then need one or more of a select list of flashes to act as slaves.

Your BEST bet, however, is to get some radio triggers and either some cheap dummy flashes or a studio strobe setup.

Ok so I can either by a 530EXii which is a flash that would be on the camera....then i would have to buy another flash if i want to fire it off the camera? So essentially the one flash sends the signal to the off body flash?

I'm not familiar with flash lighting at all...do you have any suggestiosn on radio triggers and dummy flashes? Are they somewhat easy to use?