Need a flash solution.

Clixphoto

I have to solve a few lighting issues and need some advice on what to purchase. I have a Vivitar flash that I use on and off my 50D. It is 2 years old and has begun to fire sporadicly. It also goes thru batteries quickly which I attribute to heavy use. I have considered purchasing either the Canon 480 or 580 and don't know if the difference in price is warranted. Does anyone have insight into the differences in the two and which I might benefit from the most. I will use it primarily for senior portraits and sports team photography. I need enough light to illuminate around 18 players in a team format at sunset.

I also will need to send my Canon 50D in for repairs to the on-board flash when I receive my new camera. How do I begin this process?

Thanks

Art Scott

Since you using a Vivatar..I presume it is a 285HV, have you considered the Sigma 530DG Super ....Ziggy really like this flash............

A lot less expensive than the canon flashes.............and I believe I saw somewhere they may be on sale at B&H

Clixphoto

Thanks Art. I just checked out the Sigma flash and can't find a port that will allow me to fire it off camera with my Paul C. Buff triggers. Am I missing that? I realize the larger number means more power generally but how exactly does a Canon 430 compare to a Sigma 530 or a Canon 580 concerning light output? I also need a "bulletproof" flash.

Art Scott

seriously...bullet proof flashes do not exist any longer...the old Viv 285hv and the sunpack 500 and 600 series along withthe metz manual flashes were the last of what i would even consider bullet proof.....
the new made for digital flashes are so loaded with cpu's and other electrics that they are not near as tough...but that is JMHO

Google results for compare Canon 430 to Sigma 530 ....... http://tinyurl.com/27emyp2

Google results for compare Canon 580 to Sigma 530............http://tinyurl.com/27emyp2

ziggy53

Art is correct in that I do love my Sigma flashes. I have 4 - Sigma 5xx DG Super series flashes compared to 1 - Canon 580EX. (The Sigma "DG Super" designation is important. I do not recommend the "ST" versions.)

The Sigma DG Super flashes have a feature set similar to the Canon 580, but with a price closer to the Canon 430EX. The Sigma has a bit less power than the Canon 580, but more than the 430. I find the Sigma power level sufficient for my needs. The Canon 430EX also lacks a flash master/commander mode, which I use to control other flashes in a wireless flash situation.

The Canon user interface is more intuitive than the Sigma user interface, but the Canon 580EX is more intuitive than the 580EX II. Again, I have no problems with the Sigma user interface, it's just different from Canon.

A single flash may not be able to compete with, or overpower, direct sunlight, especially for a group shot. Your best bet is using the sunlight for key light and using the flash for fill light. A reflector (or 2) can help to redirect the sunlight into a more suitable direction for the key light.

Art is also correct in that flashes fail. If you look at the inside of a modern flash you will see lots of complexity and even the best Canon flash "will" fail. Canon does have a slightly stronger flash foot than does Sigma, but if you are abusing the flash enough to break the foot I would rather that break than the camera's hot shoe (which is a much more expensive repair.) I have not broken the foot off of any flash in years (Vivitar 285HV), so I can attest to the basic sturdiness of the Sigma and Canon flashes.

ziggy53

Clixphoto wrote: »

... I also will need to send my Canon 50D in for repairs to the on-board flash when I receive my new camera. How do I begin this process?

Thanks

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer?pageKeyCode=repairLanding

Clixphoto

Thanks Ziggy on both answers. Two quick questions;1) Does the Sigma provide a port for wireless triggers such as those from Paul C. Buff? 2) How long in general do reapairs by Canon take? I know each repair is different but in general am I looking at a week, two weeks, or a month?

ziggy53

If you need a PC connection I suggest an adapter, which I use.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html#reviews

Canon service varies by the complexity of the job and other jobs that come before yours. There is no real guestimate for their service times. Sometimes they are pretty quick, a couple of weeks to get the item back to you, and sometimes it seems to take forever (a few months), like when they have to order a scarce part buried in your camera or whatnot.

I suggest sending the camera in when you see a dry spell in your own needs, and then just borrow/rent a camera to cover any needs in between. I believe you can pre-authorize repairs if you're in a big hurry, but you should set an upper limit to the repair costs when you supply your credit card information.

Art Scott

If a flash has no pc connection that is easily remedied with an aux foot that comes with a pc connection and the ones I have purchased locally have a pc connection and also a pc cable coming off it.....
normally they run between $5-10........I have had mine since early on in my photography journey due to the flash connection going bad......

here ya go..............

http://tinyurl.com/2aqq9o8

For 4.59 ... looks great......... http://tinyurl.com/2ab56qd

I searched ebay for flash adapters andd hit this bunch of listing.........http://tinyurl.com/26f9aal

Could also search for hotshoe adapters and get even more..............

Clixphoto

One last question before I purchase a flash. Ziggy, is the Sigma flash safe to use in my 50D's hot shoe? Do you ever shoot with them on camera or do you only use them off?

ziggy53

Clixphoto wrote: »

One last question before I purchase a flash. Ziggy, is the Sigma flash safe to use in my 50D's hot shoe? Do you ever shoot with them on camera or do you only use them off?

The Sigma EF 530 DG Super flash is absolutely safe on camera. I used one on a 5D MKII last Friday for an engagement shoot. It performed flawlessly.

Clixphoto

Thanks for the quick reply. I have solicited advice here before I purchased in the past and you and Art have been awesome with your responses. Thank you both for the willingness to help a ticky shopper like myself. This is my third year professionally and I still feel like a newb. I'm always affraid I will regret an equipment choice. Thanks to the help on this site, I have not regreted one yet.

Thanks again.