gatafrancesca
Friday 4th May 2007, 20:45
Hi everyone!! :hi:
My birthday is approaching and, even if my wallet is quite empty, I was thinking about adding a new piece of photo gear to my collection. :eek!:
I realized that the single item I am really missing right now is a flash. That's funny as I always thought that I'll never use one, as I consider that taking photos that don't look artificial with a flash requires a lot of practice. I had also thought about buying a TC, but I am now sure that the flash would be more useful. Why? Well, Mexico is a very sunny country in general, I usually have no problems with the amount of light that my 400mm f5.6 allows me to use, and now that I have a tripod it's even better. BUT, I have to say that I took my gear a couple of times to the cloud forest here in my town and managed to get 0 bird shots!! Even on a sunny day I could get only very slow speeds, even at ISO 800. That's ok if you have a very steady bird, but most of the cloud forest ones aren't and I just managed to get a series of blurred images. I would also like to visit the rainforest in the future and I magine it would be only worse, it's just difficult to shoot under forest canopy without a flash. I don't say that's impossible, but your keepers decrease significantly. So, I'd like to buy a flash to use as a master unit on my 350D, and my final decision should be between the 430EX and the 580EX.
Yes, I know the latter has been recommended by almost anyone using it, but I was wondering if the 430EX would be enough to take bird shots under forest canopy or to help lighten subjects against a contrasty BG or clear sky.
Example:http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/124321/ppuser/36517
So, I've been checking specs around but having never used a flash, I can't quite understand a thing. There are also some interesting comparisons between the two of them on the web, but what I would like to know is: how will the 430EX behave with a 400mm lens? Will I be able to capture a subject that is let's say 10 mts. away or I need the extra power of the 580EX?
I'd like to point out that I won't use a better beamer, too expansive to buy something from abroad due to the terrible mexican import taxes.
It's clear that I'd love to save some money, but then if I end up with a so and so flash unit that barely does the job I will be really unhappy. :-C In that case I'd better buy the more expensive 580EX.
Any suggestions are really welcome, all the gear I have was bought based on the recomendations i received here and it was all very good advice, so I trust your opinions guys!!
Cheers :flyaway:
My birthday is approaching and, even if my wallet is quite empty, I was thinking about adding a new piece of photo gear to my collection. :eek!:
I realized that the single item I am really missing right now is a flash. That's funny as I always thought that I'll never use one, as I consider that taking photos that don't look artificial with a flash requires a lot of practice. I had also thought about buying a TC, but I am now sure that the flash would be more useful. Why? Well, Mexico is a very sunny country in general, I usually have no problems with the amount of light that my 400mm f5.6 allows me to use, and now that I have a tripod it's even better. BUT, I have to say that I took my gear a couple of times to the cloud forest here in my town and managed to get 0 bird shots!! Even on a sunny day I could get only very slow speeds, even at ISO 800. That's ok if you have a very steady bird, but most of the cloud forest ones aren't and I just managed to get a series of blurred images. I would also like to visit the rainforest in the future and I magine it would be only worse, it's just difficult to shoot under forest canopy without a flash. I don't say that's impossible, but your keepers decrease significantly. So, I'd like to buy a flash to use as a master unit on my 350D, and my final decision should be between the 430EX and the 580EX.
Yes, I know the latter has been recommended by almost anyone using it, but I was wondering if the 430EX would be enough to take bird shots under forest canopy or to help lighten subjects against a contrasty BG or clear sky.
Example:http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/124321/ppuser/36517
So, I've been checking specs around but having never used a flash, I can't quite understand a thing. There are also some interesting comparisons between the two of them on the web, but what I would like to know is: how will the 430EX behave with a 400mm lens? Will I be able to capture a subject that is let's say 10 mts. away or I need the extra power of the 580EX?
I'd like to point out that I won't use a better beamer, too expansive to buy something from abroad due to the terrible mexican import taxes.
It's clear that I'd love to save some money, but then if I end up with a so and so flash unit that barely does the job I will be really unhappy. :-C In that case I'd better buy the more expensive 580EX.
Any suggestions are really welcome, all the gear I have was bought based on the recomendations i received here and it was all very good advice, so I trust your opinions guys!!
Cheers :flyaway: