cheap starter flash and comments about flash ring ???

camarochick · November 23, 2009

I need a cheap starter flash for my Canon XSi. I am shooting my sisters coworkers wedding in about 2 weeks and want a flash just in case. She did not have the budget for a photographer so this is a free shoot other than dinner to build my portfolio. I found this on amazon but not sure about it. I know that I love doing flower photos so macro is something I do.

Any flash ideas would be great as well as comments about the below flash.

http://www.sakar.com/p-1915.aspx?categoryid=144

Thanks!

Jeremy Winterberg · November 23, 2009

camarochick wrote:

I need a cheap starter flash for my Canon XSi. I am shooting my sisters coworkers wedding in about 2 weeks and want a flash just in case. She did not have the budget for a photographer so this is a free shoot other than dinner to build my portfolio. I found this on amazon but not sure about it. I know that I love doing flower photos so macro is something I do.

Any flash ideas would be great as well as comments about the below flash.

http://www.sakar.com/p-1915.aspx?categoryid=144

Thanks!

I wouldn't get that. Thats not suitable for wedding photography. Thats actually meant for macro photography, and I wouldn't even use it for that. Thats a constant LED light from how it looks.

What you can do is rent a flash from BorrowLenses.com. I suggest getting the 580EX II, because it has to most output. And for $40 for a week that aint bad. And if you're a smugmug member you get a nice little discount! (Head to the clubsmug section on your smugmug control panel for the discount code)

camarochick · November 23, 2009

Thanks. I will check them out. I prefer not to rent but it might be good to check out a couple of different flashes. I was just going to buy one from BB and return it the next day as they told me too. I know that I'm getting a decent flash for Christmas which is why I am looking for a cheaper one since the wedding is before Christmas.

The link is for macro only. I'd be getting a different one for the wedding. I had 2 questions...sry for the confusion. I will stay away from it then. It was only $8 anyway on sale.

Jeremy Winterberg · November 23, 2009

camarochick wrote:

Thanks. I will check them out. I prefer not to rent but it might be good to check out a couple of different flashes. I was just going to buy one from BB and return it the next day as they told me too. I know that I'm getting a decent flash for Christmas which is why I am looking for a cheaper one since the wedding is before Christmas.

The link is for macro only. I'd be getting a different one for the wedding. I had 2 questions...sry for the confusion. I will stay away from it then. It was only $8 anyway on sale.

Ahhh... ok I understand now. Still, I wouldn't use that for macro work. I mean, you could try it, but I don't think you would receive anything with real quality. But for $8 why not.

What one were you thinking about for the wedding? I still suggest the 580EXII for the wedding though. And I would get that or the 580EX as your decent flash for Christmas. I loved mine, it was amazing (I switched to Nikon).

Its an expensive flash, but it will work for pretty much every application you can think of. And if you get an off camera flash cable/wireless triggers you could use it for your macro photography and even studio work if you ever chose to go that route..

ziggy53 · November 23, 2009

I use, and i recommend, the Sigma EF 530 DG Super flashes for my Canon cameras. Similar feature set compared to the Canon 580 EX flash, but with a bit less power.

I use them for events and weddings, as well as other applications, and they have worked well for me.

Here is a link to a good supplier:

http://tiny.cc/u3FuX

Whatever you get, also either purchase or DIY a flash modifier.

You can create your own light modifiers (DIY). A couple that I can recommend are:

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

Art Scott · November 23, 2009

Iwould as Jeremy did....rent for the wedding and if you can rent a camera rotating flash bracket......especially if you truly want to use these pix for a port......

You cannot look at the cost of renting or buying as a plague to your bank account.....this is an investment in your future vocation.......and so that you are not disappointed at X-Mas with the gifted flash.....drop hard hints that the gift needs to be as good as the Sigma Flashes that Ziggy recommends.

In my opinon 2 things that should never be skimped on is the FLASH and the LENSES....one can produce great images with a low end body.......I shot many a wedding wtih a 40$ body and a $400 lens and $250flash......and the pix got a tone better when I spent $130 on a flash bracket and move that flash up and away from the hotshoe..............
Modifiers are a must for softlighting also.....if you're crafty then following Ziggy's links for the DIY ones can save money......I personally use Lumiquest .....but I is not crafty to be making my own........and I am looking at geting a couple that Joe McNally recommends in HotShoe Diaries.....................

camarochick · December 14, 2009

Thanks guys. I ended up buying at 430ex flash right before the wedding and am thinking of keeping it. I was going to buy it and return/exchange since they were out of the 580 or any others. The photos turned out great with the flash. The ceremony was outside in the sun so the flash did not get used until the reception.

ziggy53 · December 14, 2009

camarochick wrote:

Thanks guys. I ended up buying at 430ex flash right before the wedding and am thinking of keeping it. I was going to buy it and return/exchange since they were out of the 580 or any others. The photos turned out great with the flash. The ceremony was outside in the sun so the flash did not get used until the reception.

Congratulations on the new flash.

Feel free to use the flash outdoors as well, to fill in the shadows from strong sunlight. A flash used this way is called a fill light, and normally the FEC would be adjusted to -1 to -2 to prevent the flash from contributing too much to the image. The concept is to just lighten the shadows and reduce contrast, generally improving the image.

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=106

camarochick · December 14, 2009

ziggy53 wrote:

Feel free to use the flash outdoors as well, to fill in the shadows from strong sunlight. A flash used this way is called a fill light, and normally the FEC would be adjusted to -1 to -2 to prevent the flash from contributing too much to the image. The concept is to just lighten the shadows and reduce contrast, generally improving the image.

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=106

Thanks!!!!! I was not sure how to get better outside shots. I will do that from now on. Yesterday was my first wedding and as said in first message it was for a friend of my sisters. I am glad to have gotten a chance to test out shooting weddings. The bride was more concerned about my portfolio photos than for her own photos. I just want to

. It was so much fun and I just love the photos. The fill flash would have made some of the photos better. I have 2 more weddings booked so that tip comes in very handy.

Just0a0guy · December 14, 2009

ziggy53 wrote:

I use, and i recommend, the Sigma EF 530 DG Super flashes for my Canon cameras. Similar feature set compared to the Canon 580 EX flash, but with a bit less power.

I use them for events and weddings, as well as other applications, and they have worked well for me.

Here is a link to a good supplier:

http://tiny.cc/u3FuX

Whatever you get, also either purchase or DIY a flash modifier.

You can create your own light modifiers (DIY). A couple that I can recommend are:

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-sm...mod/index.html]

Ziggy do you know if this will work on the 50d with the latest TTL system?

ziggy53 · December 14, 2009

Just0a0guy wrote:

Ziggy do you know if this will work on the 50d with the latest TTL system?

Surely it will. I do it all the time.

Try it, you'll like it.

Edit: I should qualify that as I don't have a 50D, but I do use a 40D and 5D MKII and everything I said should apply to you and the 50D as well.

cheap starter flash and comments about flash ring ???

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