First flash unit advice?

[simonbratt99]

Hi
Never having used a flash gun since getting my 5dmk2, i think its time.
Thinking of using it for fill flash outdoors for flowers and closer subjects hopefully insects or maybe indoors.
I have studio lights with softboxes for studio so dont really need it for that.
Will I be happy enough with a 430EX II or will i see much advantage with the 600 EX RT
Dont particularly want to spend more if i dont have to.
the 600EX RT is about £190 more (as there is a canon rebate on the 600's at the moment.)

Ive read this so far which was quote interesting
http://digital-photography-school.com/choosing-the-best-canon-speedlite-flash-for-your-needs

Any advice appreciated

[neuroanatomist]

The 430 has sufficient power for fill and indoor use, as long as you're not sticking it in a modifier.

[bycostello]

The 430 has sufficient power for fill and indoor use, as long as you're not sticking it in a modifier.

+1

[TrumpetPower!]

Another thing to consider...since you're already comfortable with studio flash, you don't necessarily need all the TTL metering fanciness, which is a lot of what you pay a premium for in hotshoe flashes. You may well be just as happy with a dumb third-party hotshoe flash. Similarly, if it's power you're looking for, the 580 EX II and the 600 both have similar output; the big thing with the 600 is all the extra added remote wireless intelligent yada yada.

I'll also suggest Neil van Niekerk as probably the Internet's leading authority on the use of a hotshoe-mounted flash...study his stuff before you buy anything.

Cheers,

b&

[RS2021]

430ex II...control from menu in recent bodies...more than enough power for standard indoor use...can still fit in a multi-flash setup should you go that way down the road....and...priced well. Not sure 5D mark II offers menu control though. 430 original in that case would do just a well.

[simonbratt99]

thanks for the advise, but it will be mostly for outdoor fill. will the 100m canon macro lens on the 5dmk2 get too much in the way for macro? or is the flash high enough?

[rpt]

thanks for the advise, but it will be mostly for outdoor fill. will the 100m canon macro lens on the 5dmk2 get too much in the way for macro? or is the flash high enough?

Shouldn't you be looking for a macro flash in that case? Or a ring flash?

[Rienzphotoz]

thanks for the advise, but it will be mostly for outdoor fill. will the 100m canon macro lens on the 5dmk2 get too much in the way for macro? or is the flash high enough?

Shouldn't you be looking for a macro flash in that case? Or a ring flash?

+1
OR, you could look into getting a couple of cheaper third party speedlites and a radio trigger, which will allow you position them wherever you want. 

[neuroanatomist]

thanks for the advise, but it will be mostly for outdoor fill. will the 100m canon macro lens on the 5dmk2 get too much in the way for macro? or is the flash high enough?

Depends on how close the subject is, at 1:1 maybe. The 580/600 heads can also tilt downward a few degrees.  But regardless, you'll probably want to get the flash closer to the subject for softer light.  I'd recommend an off-camera shoe cord, and handhold the flash (if the camera is on a tripod) or use a flash bracket like the Manfrotto 233B (I've shot macro with the 430+OC-E3+Manfrotto 233B).

[LostArk]

One huge thing no one has mentioned - the 600exrt isn't fully compatible with the 5D2. You lose wireless group mode functionality, and between 1/3 and a full stop of sync speed. The manual says max sync w/ 5D2 is 1/100, and while there are reports of people having no trouble with 1/200, there are also example images with banding at max sync speed. The 580ex ii is overpriced and outdated. It really doesn't make any sense for anyone with a 2011 or older Canon body to buy anything other than the 430ex ii at the moment.

[smithy]

I'd also recommend looking at the Yongnuo flashes if you're keen to save some cash.  I recently bought the yn-568ex and it works really well, both on and off camera (using a pair of yn-622 triggers). It supports high speed sync as well.

[rpt]

thanks for the advise, but it will be mostly for outdoor fill. will the 100m canon macro lens on the 5dmk2 get too much in the way for macro? or is the flash high enough?

Depends on how close the subject is, at 1:1 maybe. The 580/600 heads can also tilt downward a few degrees.  But regardless, you'll probably want to get the flash closer to the subject for softer light.  I'd recommend an off-camera shoe cord, and handhold the flash (if the camera is on a tripod) or use a flash bracket like the Manfrotto 233B (I've shot macro with the 430+OC-E3+Manfrotto 233B).

+1000.

Today I tried to get a photograph of a spider from about 35 cm. The 600-RT on top of the camera did not work out for the shot. So if you get a flash, get something that does not need you to mount the flash on top of the camera...

My 2c...

[Rienzphotoz]

no... only if you like the ring flash look.
many macro shooter don´t like the look of a macro ring light.

i shot with a 430 EX II in a small softbox on a flash bracket.


my setup looks like his.. just not so much DIY.

An Introduction to High-Magnification Macro Photography

AWESOME!!! ... amazed at your knowledge of arthropods and your patience ... FANTASTIC

[cocopop05]

I can only comment on what I have.  I bought my first DSLR (not my first SLR, I have been using a Nikon F601 for years), a 5D Mark III with 24-105 f/4 L and a Speedlite 600ex-rt.  The system never ceases to amaze me, kudos to Canon.

The flash is worth it's weight in gold.  Very easy to use, more than enough power, fast recharge and more features than I will possibly use.

If you have the budget, I would not hesitate in recommending you buy it.

Cheers,
Paul

[smithy]

The flash is worth it's weight in gold.

And that's how much they charge for it...