Which flash should I purchase?

[beachgirlht]

I have a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi with an EFS 18-55 mm lens. For Christmas I received a EF 75-300 mm lens. Now I just HAVE to have a flash. I have no clue of what to purchase. I have looked at the Canon's and other brands that say they are compatible. I am looking to illuminate further that the current flash as my first priority. I have small children and I want to capture their dance performances, graduations, church programs without having to sit on stage with them. Any recommendations?

[PhotoRebel4]

Sorry no recommendations, but I'm also looking for a flash. So I'm interested in seeing what everyone has to say.

I think people will be able to help you better if you tell them a little more about what you want. Like your price range, bounce/swivel head?, etc.

[Skyyton]

Go for the Canon 580EX II. Even more important, really learn how to use it. You can put a great flash on a camera, put everything on auto, and be very disappointed in the results and wonder why you bought it. I know, I did that when I first got mine many years ago. The below link is for a ton of information on how to use on camera flash. I highly recommend getting his book and reading it cover to cover. It has made an amazing difference in the quality of photos I am getting with flash.

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/

[CanonRebelz]

430 EX II. Got it for Christmas. Been satisfied with it, easy to use, pretty nice all around flash.
I'd recommend getting it. You can, but probably wont need to get the 580 EX II for a first flash.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by beachgirlht

I have small children and I want to capture their dance performances, graduations, church programs without having to sit on stage with them. Any recommendations?

I'd say instead of a flash (which you may not be allowed to use in the middle of a stage performance), you may want to look into getting a fast prime lens. The 85/1.8 or 100/2 are both in the $350-$400 range (I think). And the EF 135 f/2L is probably the stage shooting lens.

A flash seems like it's going to solve all your problems, but in reality, unless you can set the light up remotely somewhere, closer to the stage, while it may reach that far, using it on-camera from that distance will probably dictate that you use direct flash, and that's going to look, well, kinda crappy. And that's assuming they'll let you blind people in the middle of a performance.

However, if you're bound and determined to get a flash, the general wisdom is if you can afford to get a 580EXII, go for it, but if you can't then a 430EXII will do the job. If you want to use on-camera flash. The main two reasons you want the 580EX is because it swivels 360°, and has more power, which means it'll be better for bounce work, and bouncing is the on-flash go-to technique. It does, however, add to the distance the light has to travel and robs you of about half the light, so if the venue is large, or the ceilings are to high, you won't have a good bounce suface nearby, and will have to use direct flash, which will be harsh and look like, well, flash, rather than more natural lighting. In addition, if you get a Canon EX speedlight unit, you'll have eTTL and the Canon proprietary signalling system to use with your camera. Other third-party "e-TTL capable" flashes may also work, but there's always a question of future compatibility and how much eTTL function they really have.

If, however, you want to do off-camera work (ala the Strobist) on a shoestring budget, you may want to save money and go for a fully manual flash like the LumoPro LP120, because you're going to lose any eTTL function with cheap radio triggers, anyway.

[Skyyton]

Originally Posted by inkista

and bouncing is the on-flash go-to technique. It does, however, add to the distance the light has to travel and robs you of about half the light, so if the venue is large, or the ceilings are to high, you won't have a good bounce suface nearby, and will have to use direct flash, which will be harsh and look like, well, flash, rather than more natural lighting.

This is a very good point. I made the likely incorrect assumption that the venue would be in a relatively small area where you could get close enough to bounce the flash effectively. You definitely do not want to point the flash at the subject. A fast lens may be the best answer. Here is some information on the effective range of the flash from The Digital Picture:

" For example, the EOS Rebel XT/350D DSLR's built-in flash effective range (Guide Number) is 42' (13m) vs. up to 190' (58 m)(ISO 100 at 105mm) for the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash (same as the 580EX). Wider lenses will have a shorter effective distance, for example ... The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens has a range of approximately 98.4' (30m) with the 580EX II. "

source:

[mistik]

Hi,
I got the 430ex ii for Christmas. I love it. I am new to photography and needed a flash for capturing those low light moments. I have not put my camera down since I got it. I used it in our living room and let me just say that my living room shots are absolutely so much better. I shot some the other day with the pop up flash and they were still poor pictures.

I got my camera for product shots of my jewelry designs. I shot mainly in natural light, but I seriously needed something for the low lights shots and my pop up flash was just not doing the job.

I also got the diffuser to go on it. I just can not say enough about this flash!!!!!!!!!!!!