Flash recommendations for Canon Digital Rebel?

[Maverick]

My father-in-law loves his new digital rebel but he says he wants a better flash. His old SLR's flash doesn't fit so he'd like to upgrade from the stock one. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Maverick]

Just looked up some stuff on DP Review...Canon 420EX looks good...any thoughts?

 

[PTCvette]

I got the DR for xmas... Onboard flash is a freaking turd! I got the 420ex as well, and it's been really nice. If he wants to spring for it, get the 550... It will control other 550's or 420's for remote operation. The 420 has been great for me though.

 

[Maverick]

I don't think he's looking for anything *too* fancy...the 420EX should meet his needs pretty well. Also if ever wants to upgrade to something with multiple master flash capabilities he can keep the 420EX and have something else control it, right?

 

[Wallydraigle]

See if he can catch a good deal from people dumping their 550EX to buy the new 580EX. If not, just go for the 420EX. I assume he's just going to have the one flash, mounted on the camera?

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: Maverick
I don't think he's looking for anything *too* fancy...the 420EX should meet his needs pretty well. Also if ever wants to upgrade to something with multiple master flash capabilities he can keep the 420EX and have something else control it, right?

Yeah, a 420EX can be controlled by either a 550EX or the new 580EX, or a ST-E2 wireless transmitter (or the MT-14EX and MT-24EX macro flashes, but that's probably not something he cares about). The 420EX can act as a wireless slave, but not a master.

 

[PTCvette]

Exactly. If he gets the 420 now, he will have it later if he buys a 550, 580, of the transmitter. Like I said, I have been pleased with the 420... Beats the heck out of the built in weenie flash!

 

[sohcrates]

sigma ef 500 dg super

gives you all the features of 550ex at half the cost

i personally would rather go with 420 ex though, cause there's no guarantee ef500 dg will work with future rebel variations (sigma reverse engineers stuff, so it's not always guaranteed to work with future EOS stuff)

 

[NutBucket]

I'd say 420EX. That's what I got for my Elan.

 

[Maverick]

Yeah I just came back from Fry's with the 420EX...got it for $199....we'll see how he likes it when I give it to him this weekend.

 

[Wallydraigle]

That seems like a good deal. I haven't priced a 420EX in a while, but I was thinking they ran about $250.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, I think I paid $229 from B & H.