Newbie. Which flash to get?

[MargaritaH]

Hi Everyone!

I recently got interested in modelphotography making mostly portraits and beautyshots. For this I use a simple set up of white background, studioflashes, beautydish/reflectors etc.

Since I'd also like to shoot some more outdoors or in other locations where I can not bring those large lights with me I was thinking about getting a wireless flash to take with me. Something I can use to shoot preferably seperate from my camera on a tripod with umbrella/softbox.

Which flash do you suggest for this to use with my Canon 500 camera? On some sites I read that only the 580EX ii works as a strobist and the 430 does not but then again there are other brands out there that work with Canon's aswell.

Hoping for your advice for this newbie and perhaps your experiences with the different flashes.

Thanks!

[NathanFranke]

If you get wireless triggers, like Cactus or PocketWizard, you can use whatever flash you want. They Canon 580 can act as a wireless master for your 500, but it has to be on camera for that. Also, Canon's integral wireless range is really small indoors, 15 feet (or meters, can't remember which), and it's even smaller outdoors. Plus, it has to be line of sight, so you can't hide flashes behind furniture or shrubbery. Wireless triggers will fix that.

Also, once you get wireless triggers, you can really use whatever flash you want. I hear that Lumopro stuff, available on mpex.com, is excellent--designed by other photographers so it has features that are useful, and not extra stupid crap. It's also reasonably priced compared to the 580.

Once you go strobist, you'll want strobes with manual controls, and once you go wireless, it really doesn't matter what brand you get. The wireless trigger will fire it with no danger of frying your camera.

Personally, I use a canon 420 (a gift), and a Promaster 7000 that I picked up on Craigslist for a couple of bucks. My 60d can act as a master--I haven't bought any cactus triggers yet. I'm limited in range, but so far I've only shot product stuff so it's not bad.