Should I get the Canon 580EX II or a Strobist kit?

[sygyzy]

I want to learn how to do better lighting as well as just have lighting available at events, and just home shoots.

Anyway, shuold I get the 580EX for about $280 (using Live's cashback), or should I get a Strobist kit from MPEX?

David

 

[angry hampster]

What do you have as of now? Get a 580 and 430 if you can afford it. Alternatively, get a 580 and and old 550.

 

[sygyzy]

I don't have anything right now. Why would I get two flashes?

 

[angry hampster]

Well since you mentioned strobist I figured you'd be getting 2-3 flashes and optical slave triggers. NVM then, just get a 580.

 

[randomlinh]

I'd argue for a strobist kit. Unless you plan on doing a lot of on camera stuff too.. even then, i'd say go for a 550ex or sigma 530. I don't see the point in spending so much on a flash up front. Plus, since you're doing strobist stuff, the umbrella/light stand/etc you'll need anyway.

The other benefit of the 550/580 is the fact AF assist really helps at night.

 

[ivan2]

strobist if you always have someone to model for you, 580/430 for everything else should be sufficient.

 

[sygyzy]

Tough choices! Randomlinh makes a good point too since the only thing replicated between the two choices is the flash. Maybe I can get the 580 then a strobist kit sans the Vivatar flash.

 

[angry hampster]

You could just buy an umbrella and an off-cam cord.


BTW, I've been using a Sigma EF 500 Super for the last two years. It's quite nice. Most of the features and power of a 580EX for half the price.

 

[sygyzy]

Which Sigma model is the equivalent/answer to the 580EX II? Is it the 500 or some other model?

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Which Sigma model is the equivalent/answer to the 580EX II? Is it the 500 or some other model?

The Sigma EF 530 DG Super is the current model. The DG ST has fewer features and is similar to a 430EX. I have the old version, which is the EF 500 DG Super. They gave the new one a little extra power for a guide number of 53.

 

[corkyg]

The guide number can be in feet or meters/ I.e., the 580EXII guide number is 190 feet or 58 meters at ISO 100. When comparing, it is wise to refer to distance at a given ISO.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: corkyg
The guide number can be in feet or meters/ I.e., the 580EXII guide number is 190 feet or 58 meters at ISO 100. When comparing, it is wise to refer to distance at a given ISO.

53m ISO 100. Using higher ISO is just cheating. ;P

 

[corkyg]

OK - agree about cheating. Anyway, that is a difference of 5 meters with the 580EXII, which is a little over 16 feet. I suppose that is close enough for government work.

 

[sygyzy]

The last three posts have me greatly confused. I don't own a flash and didn't know the model numbers corresponded to something.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
The last three posts have me greatly confused. I don't own a flash and didn't know the model numbers corresponded to something.

We were discussing the Guide Number ratings of the two flash uints. The Guide number is a relative standard that gives the nominal effective range of the flash in feet or meters. The standard is a number of meters at a given ISO of 100.

To compare, the 580EXII has a guide number of 58 and the other was 53. Translated, that means under standard conditions, the 580EXII is effective out to a distance of 58 meters.

Flash pictures taken of subjects beyond that range are essentially not illuminated by the flash. Ever watch the stands during a night football game? All those flashes going off are absolutely useless.