Do you shoot with a flash?
 

I am asking this question because I just wanted to see what other local photographers are doing :) I never use my internal flash but I generally shoot in low light conditions. The general feeling I have towards flashes is that they give an unnatural look to the image. That's why I've been investing in fast primes. I currently use a 40D and am thinking of upgrading to a 7D so that I have more flexibility in shooting at higher iso's.

But what do you guys do?

Depends on your style. I'm more of a nature and sports shooter, and i don't usually use flash. I do use flash for macro photography with my mpe setup (for sale). Alot of people here do use flash for what they shoot. Portraits ect. I'm sure most people can't live without their flash.

I shoot on camera flash, off camera flash or full Profoto or Hensel strobes depending on situation. If I'm shooting a wedding/event, then my flash will be on camera, shooting fashion/bands I could use either off camera flash or studio lighting. It all depends on your situation.

I'd shoot with flash if I could afford flashes & off camera stuff...

but I do like to shoot with natural light/low light (gyms)..

Depends on what you shoot :). At a wedding I always have an flash on the camera. Outside taking portraits or events it depends, sometimes natural light, hot shoe flash, or off camera flash. If I'm traveling I usually don't bring a flash (too heavy).

have you read the strobists articles? after I read some of them I couldn't live without my flash in certain situations (... many haha)

some situations warrant the use of flash, others don't. I just find that some users are very against the use of flashes

the only time a speedlight will result in unnatural looking pics is when pointed directly at your subject without any type of diffuser. otherwise, if the situation permits (indoors with ceiling, no rules against flash photography), I would prefer to use flash than no flash (cleaner pics cuz of lower ISO is used, sharper because the aperture can be smaller).

I'm all for available-light photography but using flash in many indoor situations will acutally make the pictures look much much better and vibrant.

really depends on what kinda of look you want to achieve, though.

Looks like you all have a good amount of experience with a flash. Depending on the situation, I can see it being pretty helpful, especially in the case of a wedding or event. I've always been a fan of using the available light so the pictures looks as natural as possible. Of course, this has lead to losing a lot of good shots because the aperture or exposure was too low.

Which flashes do you guys use then? Do you also use some other kind of flash accessory along with it to diffuse the lighting?

As good as natural light is, sometime a photo can be greatly improved by popping a tiny bit of fill flash to light the eye sockets of people. Otherwise the eyes look dead.

I use the high end Sony, Nikon and Canon flashes, as they are the most versatile and use a Lumiquest 80-20 diffuser.

Canon 580exII no diffuser. Use to use a 550ex until someone stole it...

I also like natural lit photos :).

I use a 40D and agree with the OP, really don't like using the internal flash, I have a 580EXII but very rarely use it, so No I don't usually shoot with flash

Also in closer up pics the internal flash occasionally casts a shadow off of the lens for me >.< Oh well, just started a few months ago, RS photo forum is really helping :)

Instead of starting a new thread, I'll ask here.... 430EXII or 580EXII? Is the 550EXII really worth the $150-180 difference in cost?

^ If you are worried about price check out the Sigma flash. The batteries don't recharge as fast after firing but the features are on par with the 550ex

I think flashes are a must, just adding a hint of fill even when shooting with fast primes makes a world of difference. When used right, it should look natural.