How do you select a flash for a DSLR?

[radioouman]

I just purchased a cheap TTL flash for my Canon Digital Rebel XS. At $68 shipped, it seems to do everything that the expensive Canon flashes do. Am I missing something, or is there something about selecting a flash that I don't know?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

There are a few things to look for in a flash:

1. Guide Number: how powerful the flash output can get, definitely a consideration if you're shooting scenes where the flash is the main light source, can also allow you among other things to use a lower ISO as a result to reduce noise.
2. Zoom: how wide and how telephoto can the flash zoom? Can the light output match the width of any wide angle lenses you have?
3. Recharge time: how long does it take to recharge the capacitors for another flash? I used a Sigma 500 Super and I couldn't take nearly as many shots as the guys using 580EXs at a wedding. Missed a lot.
4. Shots you can take before the capacitors are discharged: Goes hand in hand with #3.
5. Wireless: can the flash be triggered wirelessly, and with what method? IR requires line of sight. Radio does not. Does it support master and slave functions?
6. Extras: Does it come with a foot to prop the unit up on its own? Does it include a built in bounce card? Does it include a flash diffuser? Does it have modeling flash? Is it weather sealed? What are the available tilting angles of the head?

 

[extra]

Fuzzybabybunny (your name conjures adorable images of kittens and bunnies frolicking in some field, lol, love it)... pretty much nailed it all..

Few other things to add though!

1. Does the flash support high speed sync?
2. Does the flash have any manual controls?
3. Can you do things like flash exposure compensation, etc? How compatible is it really with canon's ettl?

The thing is, canon's flashes imho are worth it. The 430ex II is just about perfect for a rebel. Then if you need more later you can grab a 580ex II and use the 430 wirelessly. The 430 zooms to match your lens (also automatically detects that your camera is a crop sensor camera)... You can control the flash from the camera's menu system...etc. Lots of things that make them worth while imho.

Nothing wrong with some of the cheap flashes though, some of the vivitar automatic ones are favorites! But for on camera use with a canon camera imho the canon flashes are worth it. Nice to be able to just hit the high speed synch button on the flash, or just click the FEL button on the flash, etc...just works.

 

[soydios]

In general, OEM flashes (Nikon for Nikon, Canon for Canon, etc.) tend to be worth it (except maybe the SB-900, $500 is a little steep), because they fully integrate with all the advanced camera features.

 

[Madwand1]

I've had better plug & play results with a budget Canon flash than with an expensive Metz flash with a Metz 3102 (M3) Canon adapter.

Further tweakage, experimentation, upgrade to yet another expensive Metz revision, etc., might get me to the point where I'm as satisfied by the plug & play results from the Metz, but I and the typical consumer would probably be better off with Canon designed devices in the first place.

 

[AndrewR]

The cheaper flashes also don't tend to rotate or elevate as well or at all in some cases (no bounce flash -- oops, guess fbb already mentioned that). Manufacturer flashes often have a distance integration with modern lenses so they expose better (with Minolta/Sony, it's called ADI, Advanced Distance Integration). Last thing I can think of is that higher end lenses will include plugs for studio work and some extras like a metering lamp (Metz has one with a small flash under the main one, which can also serve as a highlight when bouncing the main one).

I just wish they weren't so darn expensive. I'd like to get the new Sony, but it's $500. :|

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
3. Recharge time: how long does it take to recharge the capacitors for another flash? I used a Sigma 500 Super and I couldn't take nearly as many shots as the guys using 580EXs at a wedding. Missed a lot.

were those guys using battery packs? I never found the 500 Super to be bad. Tho, the 580EX is a generation ahead, too.

 

[ghostman]

OP - let us know what flash you got. A Canon flash probably has several benefits over your $68 flash. Whether you'll use all those extra features is a different story.

My friend has a Nikon SB-400 flash. Even though it's OEM, I find that flash to be entirely inadequate - not enough power, bounce ability, no swivel ability. I believe it cost over $100 (I'm not a Nikon shooter). I think a cheap Sunpak flash with auto-thyristor would have served as a better flash than his SB-400.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: ghostman
OP - let us know what flash you got. A Canon flash probably has several benefits over your $68 flash. Whether you'll use all those extra features is a different story.

My friend has a Nikon SB-400 flash. Even though it's OEM, I find that flash to be entirely inadequate - not enough power, bounce ability, no swivel ability. I believe it cost over $100 (I'm not a Nikon shooter). I think a cheap Sunpak flash with auto-thyristor would have served as a better flash than his SB-400.

Or an SB-600.
The SB-400 is not really worthwhile, no matter what Ken Rockwell says.