experience with non canon flashes?

Ok so I realize most people will automatically say you should always just buy the Canon brand for anything that will be used with a canon camera, saying that if can you spend the money on the camera and lenses you should be able to spend the money on name brand accessories. and I generally am in total agreement with this.


However, I am curious though if anyone does have experience with or owns any non canon flash units. I have been looking at flashes to get (going to be primarily used for weddings) and it looks like there are some good non canon flash units out there for a fraction of the price as a Canon. I am willing to spend the money for the canon if I have to but obviously like to save money were I can. So if these other brands are at all comparable, it would be great to know. I hate to spend extra money if essentially I'm getting is a different name printed on the front.

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Originally Posted by nvitalephotography

...(going to be primarily used for weddings) and it looks like there are some good non canon flash units out there for a fraction of the price as a Canon

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I'm assuming that since you are using it for weddings, you are looking for a ETTL capable flash to use on-camera or on a bracket? I've also been looking for a cheaper Canon alternative flash (specifically ones with HSS capability). By "some good non canon flash units" which ones were you looking at?? Because the ones I found weren't any considerably cheaper [:^)]

From a post a little while back.. this might be worth looking into: community.the-digital-picture.com/.../4440.aspx Its a pretty well reviewed flash last time I checked. Only ~$85 shipped and powerful!

I also have the YN560 as well. I love it for off camera strobism! But it doesn

one I was looking at is the Sigma EF610 DG Super Flash, which is only $255, compared to the 580ex at around $400. But I guess it doesnt have ETTL either. How important do you all think that feature is for something like shooting weddings? ( I

Well since I don't have an ETTL capable flash at the moment I can't speak first hand. But I have the counter view with experience trying to shoot events with a manual flash. And it's not fun AT ALL.


With people constantly moving about, with you also moving around for the best angle, the distance from you and your subject is constantly changing. So once second you can have perfect exposure at 10 feet away, the next split second later you are severely overexposing or underexposing because you can't manually change the power setting fast enough. It's a constant struggle of power adjustments (or aperture adjustment) and a lot of times you lose focus on actually capturing the moments (which would be detrimental to a wedding!! [:|])


You could get away with bouncing off the ceiling at constant power because the distance of the ceiling is not going to change. But when you are running ahead of the bride and groom outdoors and want to get a nice fill on their faces, I bet you'll be thankful you have the ETTL automatically changing the power settings for you.

My first ETTL II flash was a Sigma. I was terribly inconsistant. After that I purchased a 580EX and later an EXII.


My next will probably be the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2. It was rated slightly better than the Canon by shootsmarter.com.


Mark

I was guessing you were looking for off camera manual flashes since you wanted multiple cheaper units/. The non-ettl flashes would still be good for off camera bouncing off the ceiling for some receptions. I

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Originally Posted by clemmb

It was rated slightly better than the Canon by shootsmarter.com.

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Hey Clemmb, thanks for this link! I've found some real interesting articles there : )





-Tak

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Originally Posted by clemmb

My next will probably be the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2

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this flash looks really good, but I cant seem to find any helpful reviews about it, anyone know where to find some?

This is the new version and mybe hard to find reviews. The predisessor is the AF-1 which is actually the one recommended by shootsmarter.com. Search on the AF-1 and see what you find.


Mark

I

<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]I think non Canon flashes are a great choice. However there is a caveat; are you shooting TTL or fully Manual?<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]I started playing with flashes after I saw Zack Arias' <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]ONE LIGHT DVD. [url="http://www.zackarias.com/workshop/]www.zackarias.com/workshop/[/url] . I highly recommend watching this DVD. He runs through all the ins and outs of off-camera flash and how to set yourself up. His mantra is that "[i]<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]the flash should be off-camera - as God intended it to be[/i]" and that manual operation will give you consistent results every time (if you know what you are doing). If this is you then go non-Canon. A brand new Vivitar 285 will only cost you about $85. If TTL is your thing or you need high speed sync then Canon is probably the right direction to head in.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]Also don't forget about the merits of fast lenses and natural light. In some ways this may simplify your work when doing weddings, and some venues may not allow flash.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]

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Originally Posted by nvitalephotography

...most people will automatically say... that if can you spend the money on the camera and lenses you should be able to spend the money on name brand accessories.
<p style="CLEAR: both"]

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This is non sequitur logic.


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"]Hope this is helpful.<o:p></o:p>

I