[robbo]

My next novice purchase is a flash. I am curious as to what the varied opinions are about buying either a matching brand flash (the Olym FL-36 for my Olym E-500) or after-market with the correct digital module (Promaster with Olym module) so that I can use it with other cameras. Two camera shops, two opinions. Your advice would be appreciated.

[GainfulShrimp]

I got the Canon 430EX to match my Canon DSLR, but I know there are quite a few fans of the Sigma 500 series flashguns (for Canon at least).

I'm afraid I don't know about Oly cameras and flashes though.

[morlandroger]

On the flash theme GainfulShrimp how do you find the 430? I would like a flash but do not think Iwould get enough use to justify the extra cost of a 580 for my 30D.
Like you I have heard good reports of the Sigma gun.
Roger

[M1ke A]

Robbo

I'm not familiar with the Oly stuff but I would lean towards staying on brand. It's nice to have matching kit, which will be totally compatible, though you do tend to pay extra.

I did look at a Metz gun for similar money to the Canon 580II I got back in the spring. There were a couple of features it didn't have which swungit for me.

MorlandRoger

The 430 is a nice little unit and I've recommended it to folk. If you're unsure of how much use a flash will get, a 580II will be overkill, both from features and cost.

If you have the pennies then the 580 is a nice gun, much quieter and faster than a 550.

[GainfulShrimp]

I really like the 430EX, but I should state that I've never used a 580EX to compare it with. I find the 430EX is easily powerful enough for my flashgun needs... but then I don't use it terribly often. I find parties are the main use for it - at least if there's a white-ish ceiling. Even if there's not a white ceiling or you don't want to use flash for some other reason, it's worth sticking it on the camera in low light to use it's AF assist lamp (which works wonderfully and is much less intrusive to subjects than pulsing the popup flash). Now that I have a 40D, that's less of an issue for me but the 20D did struggle to AF sometimes in very low light. You can use a custom function to make sure that the AF assist lamp is used without firing the flash.

It's a bit disappointing that the 430ex won't function as a master for another unit acting as slave (the 430ex works fine as a slave though).

I never use direct flash as I just don't like the look of it. I've got a Stofen diffuser for my flash and sometimes it improves shots, so is worth a tenner or whatever.

Experimentation is the name of the day, if/when you get a flashgun. It took some getting used to for me to realise how to 'trust' the ETTL auto exposure and learn how it works differently in Av/Tv mode than it works in M. When you learn to trust it, and use FEC to modify the exposure decisions it makes, your shots will improve.

Recently I've bought a ST-E2 remote transmitter and although I've only used it a couple of times, it's nice being able to leave the flash set up independent of the camera. And of course it allows the flash to be placed to the side of the subject or even behind it.

I got this shot using the STE2 to control my 430ex which was placed to the right of the shot, about 4 inches from the flower (i.e. very close!):



In summary, if you don't need the power of the 580ex and you won't need to remote control another unit with it, the 430ex is a great choice IMHO. It's lighter and more compact than the 580ex yet still features a lot of advanced features (e.g. the 430ex will give hints on white balance to modern DSLRs to automatically compensate for low batteries altering the quality of its output).

[M1ke A]

The ST-E2 is a nice little gadget if not a tad expensive.

I've had limited sucess with it outside (my 2 cyclocross shots up in the members gallery being the exception), probably because the range dies very rapidly.

It's also nice to use on camera and not have to wave a big flash around.

[morlandroger]

Hi. Used multiple flash before in my A1 (Canon) days. Inherited big vivitar to add to my own. Reflectors diffusers etc. They died some time ago so now wondering about an update. Use onboard flash for parties and fill in with compensation down 1.3 stops. Just like a bit more flexibility. Sorry does not help the Oly but sticking to brand seems to be the concensus so far as I can see. 430 looks good to me so far.
Roger
PS. Love those water drops. Saw them the first time you put them up.

[GainfulShrimp]

Thanks Roger!