Flashgun Advice?

[Aysedasi]

I've decided to buy myself a flashgun to sit atop my aging Canon 10D. I want to buy one as powerful as possible. I can't afford a Canon 580EX.

I had made my mind up to buy a Sigma EF 530 DG Super but have just come across the Nissin Di866 on a site, substantially discounted to a price less than that of the Sigma.

Is anyone able to offer advice or recommendation?

[grantp]

It all depends on what features you want which in turn depends on what you are going to use it for.

If you want all the eTTL or whatever integration you may need to check what does what.

If you just want raw power ... I have a bag of Metz hammer head units picked up for a few tens of quid each of eBay. (except for the oldest one which I bought new back in about '77.)

Some care required - the very oldest ones have a high voltage and need special connections to protect the camera. You can get Canon specific adapters that offer some of the facilities of auto exposure - depending on which one. It gets a bit complicated to know which ones are compatible and they are rare finds on eBay.

I tend to use mine in manual mode and fired by wireless trigger so I can get them off camera - even if it means just handholding at arm's length. Not sure I could shoot a 10D with one hand though.

Huge range and potential to provide strong fill light for a reasonably close subject even in bright sunlight. Not to everyone's taste.

Edit: Sorry - meant to add that I have no knowledge of the Sigma or Nissin but neither seem to come up often in flash oriented discussion groups that I sometimes read. Maybe I read the wrong ones!

[Woolley]

Just bought the less powerful 430EX II which I'm happy with so far. No experience of the two you've mentioned although the Sigma got a good review in this month's Practical Photography magazine.

[rdjones]

Ayse, I got a 430EX II a couple of years ago for Christmas and I have used it on both my 10D and 30D with out any problems.

[GORDON STREETER]

All of our old flashguns from years back in the historic 35 mm film era seem to work OK on our Canon Digi's with no problem. Its well worth looking in the local freebie advertising papers as sometimes you can pick up things (like decent flashguns) for peanuts with complete film camera kits. Some people assume that everything to do with the old 35mm stuff is worth nothing and just want to get it out of the way. Sometimes including decent lenses !!!!

[MikeHoyer]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Just bought the less powerful 430EX II which I'm happy with so far. No experience of the two you've mentioned although the Sigma got a good review in this month's Practical Photography magazine.

I use a 580EX II and a 430EX II. Very happy with the smaller flash.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Sometimes including decent lenses !!!!

That much is true, for sure!

Thanks for the advice guys.

[alesi95]

430EX is a good bet.
Its a shame, I sold a brand new Sigma 530 Super on ebay last month. Went for £119. Brand New. Wont tell you how much i bought it worth, but it was much cheaper than that.

[Aysedasi]

I get some fairly detailed advice from someone who had looked at both. Took a flyer on the Nissin in the end, particularly as I got it well under list price.

[Tim the Grey]

Ayse? Don't forget spray can of matt black for chain link fencing...

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

Ayse? Don't forget spray can of matt black for chain link fencing...

Too right Tim, that's caught me out far too often!!

[Tim the Grey]

I have a field in mind, exit of Indianapolis.... No fence!