time for a flash unit!
 

soooooo, i am a Canon guy so is the 580 EX II the choice? not knowing whats what i probably can say it looks like what i want, BUT, what about the top of the line Sigma? the EF 530 DG Super is quite a bit cheaper.

i'm thinking would i know the difference right now? maybe down the road i would see its not a Canon, and the Sigma could always become a slave?

another option, the Canon 430 EXII. pretty much the same price as the Sigma. hmmmmm.

another option is the nissin di866

i own a 430exII, if i could do it all over again i'd get a 580EXII to start with.

This guy, that was featured on strobist not long ago, shoots exclusively with 3x 430EXII's triggered by interfit strobies (same as other manual ones i think, so no eTTL).

what issues are you having with the 430?

none, but i have yet to try wireless ettl. i just have el cheapo PT-04 triggers. for me, no point spending that $ on PW when i can buy the 580EXII for 'similar' wireless functions. i don't need the reliability nor the distance at the moment.

580ex ii was on sale in Ontario a few weeks ago when I got it...399$...I need a cheap trigger too ...pocketwizards are just too pricy

I had the same dilemma back in the day, and I just opted for the most powerful flash I could afford (580EXII), instead of the 430EXII. Knowing I'd be bouncing off walls, the extra power doesn't hurt. Plus it reduces upgrade envy quite a bit :fullofwin:

I didn't do any research for any 3rd party flashes, but Nissin is a name I hear (read? lol) a lot of in my readings.

speaking of the nissin, have you tried the PW AC3 controller with the di866, senna?

No, I've never even seen the AC3 yet.

I have the Nissin Di866, and it's quite good. More powerful than the 580EXII.

as much as i'd like to get the 580 ex II, i saw this today:

http://www.studiolighting.net/wp-con...itz-58-af2.jpg

about $100 cheaper, German made, and as you can see in the image, when you're bounce flashing, there's a small built-in forward fill flash that you can use too. anybody own one of these?

The nissin di866 has that as well. I think Senna or someone mentioned that it was too strong though - that they had to place a diffuser over it so it wouldn't wash out the picture.

Wow that Nissin looks pretty good. I paid that much for my 430EX II way back :(

i remember him saying he put a ND gel on the smaller fill flash

That's what it was! I couldn't remember the details.

but ya, I'm looking to buy a flash unit - and I'm still thinking about the DI866... such a good price! and I think Senna said Beau can order one in - no having to worry about getting one shipped from Asia.

fyi it's $325 at thecamerastore in calgary

went with a Metz. picked it up on my way back from the golf course.


http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...0/11/flash.jpg

looks like Senna is using mod powers to read my edit here. lol.

anyways, just re-shot a couple in my kitchen.bounced one off the ceiling. damn it's going to be nice to not adjust(well, not nearly as much) tone and WB since i've only used existing lighting so far(tungsten, florescent). here's no adjusting to balance or tone:

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...1/testfire.jpg


now i can close it up and get enough light with proper exposure and sharpness! nice!

Try the stroboscope feature with your golf swing!

Pretty good review,here: http://www.photographyblog.com/news/..._af-2_digital/

Do the Canon's have a USB connection to update firmware?

No. Canon's flashes suck ass. Nissin & Metz have USB firmware update ports.

Actually, no...the e-mail updates from RS had your original post in it, not the edited one.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bn...215664907.html

You guys think this is worth it or should I save for a pocket wizard?

they're in completely different price brackets ...

if ur not doing this professionally, or on a time constraint, or need the distance/reliability, there's no need for PW imo

spend the extra money on some light modifiers like stands, umbrellas, softboxes etc... even better, spend it on an extra strobe

+1 on DDR

I highly suggest one of the cheapo counterpart named yongnuo. They have a name of it's own in multiple photography forum and a lot of ppl including me love the triggers~!

Look at the yn-rf602 it's a great setup for starter off shoe flash
Posted via RS Mobile

^ Will check that out for sure!

fyi the RF-603 is on sale now

also the cactus V5's too