My first Speedlite

digitalmonkey

I just bought my first DSLR, a Canon 550D, about 2 mths ago. I received some money for Christmas and plan on buying a flash. I'm looking at the Canon Speedlites, the 270EX is $144 on Amazon and the next step up is a 430EX for $265. Is it worth spending almost double to get the 430EX? Is there a better 3rd party flash that I can get for my money?

helloyo53

I just got the 270EX flash yesterday for my 500D. To be honest, it's really not a bad flash. It has the ability to swivel up and down, so you can bounce the flash off the ceiling. The only problem is that you can't turn the flash side to side, so if you were to take a picture with the camera in vertical, you wouldn't be able to bounce the flash off the ceiling. However, with 430EX allows you to turn it side to side and up and down. I would say it depends on if you are going to be shooting any photos with the camera vertical.

Good luck! I would let some of the experts answer too. I'm just getting started with this stuff. :P

JimKarczewski

Nice thing about the 430 is greater power AND the LCD which allows you better control of the flash itself. If you are just planning on shooting ETTL for the rest of your life, get the 270. If you plan on learn on how to use the flash and are a strobist fan, get the 430...

Art Scott

check out the upper tier of Sigma Flashes............

ziggy53

I am a true believer in the Sigma EF 530 DG Super line of flashes. All of the following are using Sigma 5xx series DG Super flashes:













The following used 2 of the Sigma flashes plus one Canon 580EX as the master:



All of the previous images used some sort of flash modifier and the 2 types that I generally use can be DIY:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

Joe Demb also makes an interesting device for sale (reasonable):

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

I own a FlipIt product and it works well and is very well made.

A site showing various modifiers in use:

http://www.the-meissners.org/2006-small-albums/2006-flashmod/index.html

A link to a source with the proper Sigma flash for your camera:

http://www.photo4less.com/products/Sigma_EF-530_DG_Super_Electronic_Flash_for_Canon_DSLR_____085126925253_____SGEF530SPCA.html