Speedlight for Canon..

[Shawnajc]

I have a canon rebel xt.. can anyone tell me anything about speedlights?

[justmp]

I have the 420EX and used it on my original Rebel DSLR and now on my 30D. I really like it and it's on my camera anytime I'm shooting indoors and have to use flash. I rarely use it without the Gary Fong Lightsphere and am much happier with the results when I use them in combination.

[LauraBean]

I went for the top of the line 580 EX II, though I suspect I would have been fine with the 430 EX. I love the thing and my indoor pictures have improved dramatically since I got it. I always bounce it off the ceiling (or sometimes a wall) and get great results that way. The 580 has a great range and, if you think you might add flashes and use more than one at a time, the 580 can act as a master to the others--not something I've tried.

[donitab]

I have the 430 Ex II & love it. I also use the Gary Fong lightsphere (garyfong.com) and bounce off the ceiling or wall. I didn't go with the 580 EX II mainly because of price & I needed it in time for prom so didn't have time to save up. If you have the money the 580 would probably be your best choice, but the 430 works fine for me.

[Jen D]

I have both the 430EX and the 580EX. The 580 most certainly has more power and more range... but it sucks batteries like no tomorrow. I often find myself using the 430EX when I don't need that extra power to save my battery life.

[katrinak]

I too have the 430EX. In addition to what everyone has mentioned, it is also only a slave. The 580 will work as a master if you are doing any studio work.

[deanie]

I've just starting shooting with my speedlite. I have the 580 as well and really like it. It does slurp the batteries though. I shot photos in our church recently-it has a 30 foot ceiling so I wasn't able to bounce the flash. I used my Gary Fong Lightsphere and it helped so much.

[Shawnajc]

Thank you so much for your replies.. what exactly does the lightsphere do?

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by Shawnajc

what exactly does the lightsphere do?

the lightsphere diffuses the light from your flash so you get a softer more natural light

[susiecw]

Just checked out Gary Fong's website, so now I want one, of course. Do you use the diffuser taking everyday, indoor photos of the kids? Is it on your camera the majority of the time? Need an excuse to get one since you are all my "enablers." Susie

[donitab]

Basically, if I use my flash, I use the diffuser, simple as that. My goal really is to not use the flash that often, BUT, we all know that is impossible if we want to capture real life.

[katrinak]

Susie I only use mine when my house is too dark to get a shot with my 50mm. I'm not a big flash user so probably not the best person to listen to

[LauraBean]

Susie, I asked for and got the lightsphere for Christmas, but now I wish I'd gotten something a little smaller. It's really a big attachment to the flash, and I just find it unwieldy (not to mention embarrassing outside the house). I like the looks of the Better Bounce Card attachments--but I've not used them. I get good results from my flash with no diffuser at all as long as I'm able to bounce the flash off the ceiling or a wall, and my lightsphere sits unused most of the time.

[tylertooo]

such great info. I am trying to decide which of the speedlites to buy, and figured the diffuser was a must as well. I will have to check out all the recommendations.