I rarely use a flash if I can help it, but I'd like to get a flash for my Canon Digital Rebel for the times my built-in flash just won't cut it. Years ago I used Sunpak flashes but have not had a flash since the mid '90s.

Since I won't be using it much I don't want to spend too much. Any recommendations or any to avoid? I am looking at the following brands ranging from $119 – $155 (the Canon Speedlights are $250 – $350):

Sunpak
Sigma
Opteka

Again I will rarely use it but would like it in my camera bag for rare occasions.

Bibo, one thing I would consider is that with the Canon speedlights (I'm assuming here, because I shoot Nikon) you'll have the ability to set it up as a wireless off camera flash/strobe. Not sure if the 3rd party flashes allow that or not. However, I find it a tremendous help.

I did a shoot recently where I used my Westcott TD5 Spiderlite Softbox as my main light and a Nikon SB 800 on a stand shooting through a diffuser as my second light. It worked out great and was all controlled wirelessly including adjusting the power of the light from the back of my camera.

The Canon 420ex and 580ex both work with wireless.

My choice is driven almost entirely by the desire for full integration of exposure control between the flash and the camera. I don't have to change my shooting methods or adjustment control motions using the Canon Speedlight. The exposure settings work the same for the built-in flash or the speedlight. The proven compatibility with the camera is worth a lot as well.

I do a lot of lighting when I shoot.

80% of the time the strobes are on manual and triggered by PocketWizard remotes.

Since it sounds like you are going to be shooting with one light I'd suggest putting some of your thought and bucks into ways to get your flash off camera and in "light-modifiers"

Just getting your light off camera with a three foot remote cord or/and using a bounce-card will get you the most bang for your buck... and practice.

That's the beauty of digital. Instant feedback while you can still remember the conditions, settings and techniques used to make your shot.

Good luck and good shootin'

Jb.

Mike Palmer down at Adray's Photo in Dearborn can offer you some guidance to help you with your decision. You might find the cheaper flashes don't work with your digial camera - synch issues. You'll need a Canon 580EX (on camera) for many Canon digital cameras issued since the 10D. In my opinion, the built-in retractable flashes on Rebels and some pro Canons are useless. Worse yet - PC cords and some 3rd pary flash units will "toast" your Rebel's electronics - on or off camera. Call to find out what days Mike Palmer is working. He'll help you take good pictures without ruining your camera or damaging your wallet. OEM flashes have not been the high points of the OEM camera manufacturers' product offerings.

Pocket Wizards (I own 3) are a good idea, but "arrested development" has set in over the last 7 years. Or maybe I should say rigor mortis? They can't seem to finish the 2nd half of the race by adding essential features. Mamiya America has been bad for Pocket Wizards from a user's viewpoint - almost zero investment. It's kinda counterproductive to offer a remote flash system without any remote controls to speak of. Same for Canon and Nikon - they've failed their customers when it comes to flashes. Their flashes often have a 25%-50% success rate among amateurs - and sometimes pros.

Sometimes the Ford Photo Club runs a pretty good lighting seminar covering essential basics. The guy that runs the seminar prefers "off brand" cheap manual flashes - something from eBay. His favorite is a Viviar 280 flash (from the 1970's). Both Mike Palmer and the seminar guy feel automatic flashes have pretty much failed the entire market (pro and amateur), so why not default back to manual flashes? Automatic flashes are for candid (fast moving) situations - manual flashes for arranged (slow moving, studio) situations.

I use a Canon 30D and, sometimes, a 580ex. The 580ex used with a cable or wireless works quite well off camera. It does not have to be used only on the camera.

With respect to the 30D built-in flash: I do a lot of outdoor shooting in bright sunlight, especially documentation shot of activities like lengthening a fiberglass boat on the shore of a Pacific Ocean island in Costa Rica (November 2007). I find the built-in flash ideal for bringing out what would otherwise be lost shadow detail. In fact, I find that I use the flash outdoors much more often than I would ever have predicted. The ease of adjusting the balance between fill and ambient light makes this a joy to use. The reach of this little flash is astounding. I tell the camera what I want and it AUTOMATICALLY does what I ask. Yes, manual flash is appropriate in set shots, but out in the field where I shoot, automatic flash is a godsend.

The enclosed image is un-adjusted and was shot on a hazyy-bright day.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: James R. Cutler,

That's a good shot Jim. Good fill light inside the boat & in the shadows.

Bibo: Canon's official recommendation is: you must use a Canon Speedlite EX flash if the flash is hardwired to your digital camera. Canon E or EZ flashes will not work. Manual off-brand flashes may ruin your camera. Canon designed their digital cameras this way. I think Bibo needs to talk to experts (like Mike Palmer at Adray). My knowledge is inadequate - a little knowledge is dangerous.

I don't like the pop-up flashes because most interchangeable lenses are either too wide or too long for the flash on my 10D. The flash creates a shadow from the lens. You pretty much need to use a standard 50mm lens, or a very short zoom lens to avoid that nasty shadow problem. I've ruined some key family shots that way, and PhotoShop can't fix 'em. They were candid shots, I was in a hurry, and I didn't have time to get my 580EX flash.

Here's a less severe example of the shadow problem resulting from a built-in flash:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chuck M,

The thing is I've always used 3rd party flashes with no problems (Sunpak & Vivitar), I've been shooting with an SLR since 1980. All of the 3rd party flashes are TTL & claim to be compatible with Canon cameras. Again I will rarely use it and when I do it will be in manual mode. I do have two studio lights I can use, so off camera lighting via a flash is not a concern. There has just been the rare occasion I've needed a little more oomph than what my built-in flash can produce.

If the off brand flash is photocell equipped you could fire it via your on camera flash to avoid connecting it to the camera. This would still leave the question of exposure-most likely a set aperature on camera and flash in manual mode. Another reason people use flash in manual is that in auto mode the color temp usually changes with the flash duration.

Ok I ended up going with a Canon Speedlite 430EX. Norman Camera has it on sale for $239. My local Norman Camera had 2 in stock. The sales guy told me on May 1st Canon & Nikon will be raising their prices May 1st due to the the weak U.S. dollar vs. the Yen. True or not I don't know or if it was just a sales pitch. Either way their price was the best I could find.