On camera flash for wedding photography

11/14/2006 12:45:44 PM · #1

I've been shooting weddings for a couple of years now and really need to upgrade my flash. Anybody have a great flash they recomend for canons?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

11/14/2006 12:55:15 PM · #2

Have you looked at Canon's flashes? I use the Canon 580EX, 550EX and 420EX (all three, often with one or both of the latter two as slaves).

wavelength

Nikon D300

11/14/2006 12:57:14 PM · #3

Any Canon flash, preferrably the 580, and the Sigma 500 is an alternate.

Get a lightsphere II and a good flash bracket.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM

11/14/2006 12:57:28 PM · #4

I have looked at lots of flashes both canon and 3rd party. I was hoping to get some insights on how they performed in the field. Weddings can be a completly different animal from other photography and, like everyone else, I don't want to buy the wrong piece of equipment.

Message edited by author 2006-11-14 12:57:46.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

11/14/2006 01:01:37 PM · #5

dittoing previously given advice, the 580 + lightsphere will get the job done.

Ben

Canon EOS-30D

11/14/2006 01:04:52 PM · #6

I've heard good things on MEtz flashes.
Can anyone confirm or contrast this?

11/14/2006 02:08:21 PM · #7

Thanks for the info on the 580.

Going with Kerm, I have also heard good things about Metz. Also, the new Quantam looked good (albeit expensive). Anyone with experiences on those?

Telehubbie

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

11/14/2006 02:43:27 PM · #8

Can't comment on the Metz or Quantum flashes, I'm in the 580/lightsphere crowd, but look into the Quantum Turbo Battery for power. It will shoot the whole event and give you faster recycle times to boot.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/14/2006 02:51:18 PM · #9

I have 3 Metz 54 flashes and use them on my 20D and 10D (backup) at weddings. Prior to that I had a Canon 420EX and a Sigma 500DG. The Metz, for me, was an inexpensive jump up in quality results. I use them in Auto mode - very reliable.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/14/2006 04:20:50 PM · #10

Originally posted by Kerm:

I've heard good things on MEtz flashes.
Can anyone confirm or contrast this?

I'd say they are a step UP from the Canon units.

ebertdj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8 L

11/14/2006 04:34:27 PM · #11

I am happy with my pair of 550EX's . It is nice to use one as a slave when I do not want the harsh shadows you can get when you can't bounce the light even if I put a diffuser boxes on the flash. I always use 2500 mAh NiMH rechargeables - They recharge the flash quickly and for a longer period of time over just batteries. Always keep lots of spare batteries with you of course.

PhantomEWO

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM

11/14/2006 05:31:52 PM · #12

get an extended flash bracket, it will help throw the shadows down behind people. If you get a lighsphere expect it to heat up your flash and destroy it if you do a lot of fast constant flash shots. An extension and use the built-in reflector aiming the flash up will do a great job without over heating your flash.

Best of luck.

fotomann_forever

11/14/2006 05:58:59 PM · #13

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

It won't heat it up much if you shoot with the dome off like I do most of the time.

And for outdoor shoots the dome comes in handy, but a Pocket Soft Box is great.

BTW, I'm using the Sigma EF-500 DG ST. It's a good flash, but at times I feel it's a bit under-powered. I keep it on a Stroboframe Quik-Flip.

My next flash will be one of the big Quantum bad-a$$es :-)

Message edited by author 2006-11-14 17:59:56.