CAnon 430ex II or Sigma 530dg super?

0utpost31

It's time for me to buy a flash, situations which I need a decent flash for are popping up more and more. Was wondering if anybody could recommend which flash to buy? They're both about the same price.

The sigma is more powerful but I don't think I need a mad super powerful flash. It would be nice to have though just in case.

But with the canon I'll get better build quality and it's still a pretty decent flash isn't it?

I'd like to use the flash with a wireless transmitter and receiver. Anybody have any advice? Thanks

AnimalRights

Can't really answer your question as I'm not experienced enough yet but I do own the 430EX II and noticed at the gig I was at last week another guy using what I think was a wireless transmitter and receiver, he had the flash bit on the stage and it looked well good.
Anyone explain a bit more about this, I've noticed sometimes that even an external flash is ruining some face shots at gigs. (too powerful, even when I tilt it)
Few of the ruined shots.

and to a lesser extent.


Hope this hasn't hijacked your thread but they are kinda linked.

Paulw

The Canon 430EXII can act as a slave flash. It can be used in combination with a wireless transmitter, or a master flash (such as the 580EX).

No idea about the Sigma.

AnimalRights

aahh right, now that I think of it my 430EX II did come with a stand and ya mans at the gig was in a stand on the stage, how much would I pay for one of these wireless transmitters?

Ballyman

€30 delivered from Gadget Infinity

AnimalRights

and in a normal shop?

PaulieC

keep in mind that only the Canon ST-E2 will retain full e-ttl (II) functionality with a remote canon flash. The gadget infinity transmitters provide only manual control of the flash. The ST-E2 is about 200 euros, but it works great and is also very useful on it's own as an autofocus device

moralproduction

i recently got an st-e2 and second what cambo says its a great little device

AnimalRights

cambo_gueno wrote: »

keep in mind that only the Canon ST-E2 will retain full e-ttl (II) functionality with a remote canon flash. The gadget infinity transmitters provide only manual control of the flash. The ST-E2 is about 200 euros, but it works great and is also very useful on it's own as an autofocus device

All of this is above my head.
All I can tell you is I let the flash decide, ie it's not set to manual/

Re-read your post and the one I need then is the dearer one....
Bit dodgy at the type of gig I go too as most don't have a stage, would be stood on!!
Back to the drawing board anyway.

PaulieC

moralproduction wrote: »

i recently got an st-e2 and second what cambo says its a great little device

uh oh...that reminds me...:o

0utpost31

cambo_gueno wrote: »

keep in mind that only the Canon ST-E2 will retain full e-ttl (II) functionality with a remote canon flash. The gadget infinity transmitters provide only manual control of the flash. The ST-E2 is about 200 euros, but it works great and is also very useful on it's own as an autofocus device

What is full ettl II functionality? What are my limitations if I buy the cheap wireless transmitter (which is my plan) I plan to use this setup in nightclubs.

PaulieC

erm...see here.

with the 3rd party wireless trx/rx all you are getting is a means to fire the flash remotely. The ST=E2 is like having the flash on your camera - you have full control of all connected flashes.

I am 100% sure that someone else could explain this better than me...:D

0utpost31

What if I used a hot shoe cord? Would I keep all functionality?

Also, can you decrease or increase power on the 430ex? Like 1/2 power 1/4 power etc....


Also, nobody has mentioned anything about the sigma yet... anyone know anything about it?

melekalikimaka

0utpost31 wrote: »

The sigma is more powerful but I don't think I need a mad super powerful flash. It would be nice to have though just in case.

all ways better to have too mch than too little, you can always reduce power, but not increase

PaulieC

0utpost31 wrote: »

What if I used a hot shoe cord? Would I keep all functionality?

Also, can you decrease or increase power on the 430ex? Like 1/2 power 1/4 power etc....


Also, nobody has mentioned anything about the sigma yet... anyone know anything about it?

funnily enough if you use the Canon hot shore cord you can keep e-ttl

Also, yes you can set the 430 EX to full manual.

0utpost31

So if I buy a cheapo cord from ebay, ettl won't work....?

I'm guessing the Ettl isn't needed in full manual mode?

PaulieC

0utpost31 wrote: »

So if I buy a cheapo cord from ebay, ettl won't work....?

I'm guessing the Ettl isn't needed in full manual mode?

correct and correct ! I suppose whether or not you would value off camera Ettl capability depends on your budget and how you're used to working...I have an older manual flash and off camera cord and it works fine, just have to spend a bit more time figuring out expsures and settings etc

0utpost31

Well i'll be taking photos in a nightclub so if I left the flash on auto it would blind the shit out of everybody trying to light up the dark environment. I'd like to leave it on manual and have the same level of low flash light for each shot... about a quarter or 1/3 power. that's possible isn't it? sorry I don't have a clue about flashes, i just don't want it on auto...

PaulieC

with the EOS E-TTL system, the flash works differently depending on your camera settings. If you have your camera on auto or program modes, the camera/flash will meter for the subject only and you'll get the burnt out faces and blackbackgrounds as the camera tries to obtain the fastest shutterspeed possible. However, if you have the camera on Av, Tv or full manual, the camera/flash will meter differrently and you'll get the subject lit correctly and the flash will provide fill light only. This means much slower shutterspeeds and brighter backgrounds, but also you'll see some blurring.

Here is an extremely indepth (and long) article/guide on the EOS flash system. In short, my opinion would be to get the ST-E2 if you can bear to pay it and a 430EXII (or maybe even a couple of 430EX if you can still get them). You will then have the flexibility of full E-TTl and also have the ability to go fully manual - all though your camera/ST-E2

13tsoptuo

Is the ST-E2 all one needs? Or would you have to get a reciever to go with that.

PaulieC

the canon flashes can act as slaves so they can recieve the signal from st-e2

13tsoptuo

I bought the canon 430ex II....

I won't be getting the st-e2... since it works with infra red I'd need to have the flash in it's line of sight... don't want to have that limitation. So I've been looking at the cheap ebay triggers and I've come across the Cybersync system. It's similar to the wireless ebay gizmo but it's quality is much better, and the signal is stronger.