Speedlights

[Crissy]

I know there was a thread around here somewhere about speedlights. Is it worth the money to invest in a speedlight? Does anyone have some good lighting suggestions?

[Jen D]

Love my speedlights. For indoor shots the ability to bounce light really makes a difference. I also use it frequently outdoors for fill light.

[justmp]

Until I started shooting manual more and more, I had my speedlight on my camera almost all the time. I probably will put it back on here shortly as it's getting darker and darker in my house with the onset of winter.

[Blesus]

My dh and kids gave me one for Christmas about 3 years ago. When I remember to use it - I love it! I agree with Jen - the ability to bounce the light eliminates those dreadful shadows. I would say they are def worth it!

[katrinak]

Love my speedlight! Worth it! There is a great post in the flickr group from Laura on using it effectively. Let me see if I can find it for you!

[Crissy]

Katrina, which one do you use? I am looking at the Canon Speedlite 430EX. I am just wondering how much of an advantage it has over the 420EX. Is there a big different besides that it's digital?

[LauraBean]

I love my Speedlight. It has revolutionized my indoor pictures. I was a no-flash-ever kind of gal, but my images have vastly improved with bounced flash inside and fill flash outside.

Mine is the 580 EX II; I went with the top of the line. More power is good when you're bouncing and/or diffusing, and you should be. I'd recommend as good a flash as you can reasonably afford, personally.

[katrinak]

Crissy my hubby gave me the 430EX as a gift a few years ago...I'd follow Laura's advice though!

Mine can only be a slave and I'd much prefer having the master.

[Crissy]

What model camera do you have, Katrina?

[katrinak]

I have the Canon 30D Crissy.

[Crissy]

Originally Posted by katrinak

I have the Canon 30D Crissy.

How do you like it? I am now undecided if I want to save my money and buy a Canon 50D or a speedlight.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Crissy

How do you like it? I am now undecided if I want to save my money and buy a Canon 50D or a speedlight.

I have the 50D and LOVE it! But, I would say if you are taking lots of photos indoors the speedlight is going to improve the quality sooo much and the camera maybe a little. I guess it depends what you want out of your camera. That wasn't very much help was it

[Crissy]

I have been doing alot of outdoor photos, so I probably wouldn't use the speedlight as much at the moment.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Crissy

I have been doing alot of outdoor photos, so I probably wouldn't use the speedlight as much at the moment.

Hmmmmm... then I might save for the camera. I like the fill flash option but I don't use it very often.

Was it you on FB that posted about taking pictures professionally? If that is the case I would go for the new camera!

[Crissy]

Originally Posted by Jen D

Was it you on FB that posted about taking pictures professionally? If that is the case I would go for the new camera!

That's me! I feel that I could be giving my clients much better quality than what I have been. So I may be thinking about the camera instead at the moment.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Crissy

That's me! I feel that I could be giving my clients much better quality than what I have been. So I may be thinking about the camera instead at the moment.

I agree... if you are turning pro or semi-pro I would invest in the camera Best of luck!!!!!

[deanie]

I have the 580 EXII also and like it but I really haven't used it much. Laura, maybe you could give us all some tips on the Flickr site. The holidays are coming and I'd love to be better acquainted with it by then. Chrissy, I have the 50 D and am very, very happy with it.

[LauraBean]

Here's a link to a lengthy post I did last spring in the Flickr group discussion area on using flash inside.

[Crissy]

Thanks for the info Laura. I am sure it will come in handy when I finally get me one those

[anke]

thanks for this thread ladies. I have a Nikon and I am very interested in a speedlight myself. I take a lot of indoor pictures and my house is pretty dark, so I often wondered whether I should invest in one or not. Sounds like it's a great idea.