Canon Flash advice please.

[cone]

Hi chaps , currently have a 450d and up to press only used the built in flash , now thinking of adding a flashgun in my bag of tricks , I want to keep under £150 ish ( always an ish tsk) and have looked at maybe one of the following :-

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-metz-36-af-5-f...
or
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-canon-speedlit...


anyone have any thoughts on either , are they better than the built in flash? I'm only just starting to experiment with flash so be kind to me with replies .

Cheers in adv Rich

Ps weight is a bit of an issue as I will be carrying it whilst MTBing

[markmullen]

I can't vouch for either of those not having used them but at that kind of money you could get a used 430 exii, I use one and it is very good.

[dibbly dobbler]

I've got the speedlight - decent little flash (nice and compact) and will definitely be a big improvement on the onboard flash

[jimmy156]

I use a Nissin Di622 , although mine is the earlier Mk1 version and cost about £99.

I think its great, auto mode works well for almost all situations, and the twist/swivel head is almost infinitely adjustable.

[Gemm]

It seems they have a bounce head but not swivel. If possible, I'd get the one that can do both. They are much more versatile. Still, they would be much better than the on-camera flash.

[RobDickinson]

Stretch to a nissin di866? comparable to a 580exII and about 170 quid.

[Simpo Two]

Gemm said:

It seems they have a bounce head but not swivel. If possible, I'd get the one that can do both.

Otherwise when you go into portrait format you can only bounce from wall and not ceiling. Being able to point the light where you want it is important.

[mikef]

Doesn't answer your question, but I've found this book really useful: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedliters-Handbook-Learn...

Maybe work out what all you can do with flash (there's some impressive stuff in the book), then base equipment choice on that?

[cone]

Cheers Peeps , good call on the swivel head thing ( I'd have never worked that out till I needed it), looks like I need to save a bit longer.
Ordered the book too , looks just the job. Ta

Edited by cone on Thursday 13th October 10:35

[Gemm]

Here's a good article on Canon flash system.

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/