Whats the difference

imaximax Registered Users Posts: 691 Major grins
edited July 11, 2005 in Accessories
between these three flash units besides the price. It's time to get a flash and cash flow is tight. Is there a big difference between the units? Anyone using the sigma or quantaray havything positive or negative to say about them?


Quantaray - QDC-900WA Digital Zoom Flash for Canon Digital Rebel
Canon - 580EX Speedlite Flash
Sigma - EF-500 DG Super Flash


Thanks for any input that you may have!

Joe B

Comments

  • luckyrweluckyrwe Registered Users Posts: 952 Major grins
    edited July 10, 2005
    If cash is tight look at the 420EX and 550EX Canon flash models. The 550EX is 95% the flash the 580EX is.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,938 moderator
    edited July 10, 2005
    Perhaps someone who's more familiar with flash will reply.

    One thing I'd be curious to know is what are you planning to shoot
    with the flash?

    The 550/580 would make a fine primary flash. The 420's, while not as
    powerful, will do well for most things.

    As far as the Sigma or Quantaray, I've only read reviews and many give
    the Sigma the nod for price and performance. Some knock it for quality
    though "quality" is not well defined by the comments.

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • gtcgtc Registered Users Posts: 916 Major grins
    edited July 10, 2005
    420 for macro?
    I'm interested too- I want something to put on a Canon 20d for macro purposes.

    The 420 looks like it would be enough. Does anyone have any experience with these for macro? I would be using it as a broad source over the lens.

    There are quite a few on the secondhand market for a reasonable price.
    Latitude: 37° 52'South
    Longitude: 145° 08'East

    Canon 20d,EFS-60mm Macro,Canon 85mm/1.8. Pentax Spotmatic SP,Pentax Super Takumars 50/1.4 &135/3.5,Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumars 200/4 ,300/4,400/5.6,Sigma 600/8.
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 11, 2005
    gtc wrote:
    I'm interested too- I want something to put on a Canon 20d for macro purposes.

    The 420 looks like it would be enough. Does anyone have any experience with these for macro? I would be using it as a broad source over the lens.

    There are quite a few on the secondhand market for a reasonable price.

    I know you hate to hear this, as the 580EX is more expensive - but I think the 580EX will do a much better job for macro than the 420. The 580EX just seems to have better control over the correct exposure. This was captured with a 580EX off camera with a silver reflector out of doors and in the wind.
    27857241-L.jpg
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • gtcgtc Registered Users Posts: 916 Major grins
    edited July 11, 2005
    420 vs 580ex
    Thanks for the reply-have you used the 420 for macro?

    If so a comparison shot would be interesting.

    pathfinder wrote:
    I know you hate to hear this, as the 580EX is more expensive - but I think the 580EX will do a much better job for macro than the 420. The 580EX just seems to have better control over the correct exposure. This was captured with a 580EX off camera with a silver reflector out of doors and in the wind.
    27857241-L.jpg
    Latitude: 37° 52'South
    Longitude: 145° 08'East

    Canon 20d,EFS-60mm Macro,Canon 85mm/1.8. Pentax Spotmatic SP,Pentax Super Takumars 50/1.4 &135/3.5,Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumars 200/4 ,300/4,400/5.6,Sigma 600/8.
  • luckyrweluckyrwe Registered Users Posts: 952 Major grins
    edited July 11, 2005
    I have had the 420, 550 and 580. I always get the latest flash because they just keep getting better and better. A good buddy has the Sigma flash and says it is as good as the Canon at a lower price, so if money is part of your math then consider that.
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