Camera Labs

I just got my 7D and am looking at getting a flash.... I am just getting back into photography and was wondering which flash would pair up nicely with the 7D. Any help appreciated.... Thanks,

-- Nash

If you want a decent flash to learn with that has some growth potential, but is not the most expensive, then I would recommend the 430EXIII.
If you believe you need to focus the light more, higher burst rate, or are planning to have multiple flashes of the same model, then you can look at something higher end.

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Canon 5DIII, Rebel XTi/400D
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 for OM System

Personally I'd look for a used 580EX (no II), which should cost about the same as a new 430EX II. A bit cheaper is a used 550EX, but it's slower and misses some features but in the end it's a great professional flash gun that is payable (used as well).

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Syl Arena, whose excellent Speedliting book is available through Amazon, recommends starting with a 430EX II if one's budget is limited. I have no personal experience with the 430EX, original or II. I do highly recommend the Speedliting book, and keep in mind that clicking through to Amazon via the link here on the Cameralabls site results in Cameralabs getting a small fee, without costing the buyer extra.

I was lucky to start DSLR shooting, using a 580EX, along with an XTi/400D, that my wife acquired pre-owned from a colleague. I subsequently acquired a Nissin Di866 II Professional, and a second pre-owned 580EX. These provided good service, but when I later acquired a new 580EX II, I did notice, over time, consistently better exposure performance, using E-TTL mode, with my 7D cameras in Manual mode, compared to the original 580EX flashguns. It is more likely I will feel a need to re-shoot when using an original 580EX. A pre-owned 580EX is still going to be a quite good flashgun, for one who has a need for a powerful flash, and needs to save money.

I should note that a buyer should, if possible, thoroughly inspect a pre-owned flashgun before purchase, as some will have corroded battery compartments, due to neglectful owners.

The only drawback I noticed with the Nissin was some white balance problems when shooting in mixed artificial ambient lighting, outdoors, using AWB. (The images were too warm, with an orange tint.) When I switched to a Canon flash, which was either a 580EX or 580EX II, the colors in the image were
true. These were evidentiary images, which I had to submit as straight-out-of-camera JPEGs, so getting white balance as correct as possible is important. I still find the Nissin useful, but consider my 580EX II worth its price, even though it strained my budget when I bought it. Those who shoot RAW can correct
white balance, to an extent, when processing the images in one's computer.

My wife has had good results with a Nikon-fit Metz flashgun I bought for her to use on her D7000. Metz makes parqllel flashguns to fit Canons.

Welcome to the forum!

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Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

I got a 430EX II as a referb from Canon and it works great. I don't have a lot of practice with it though. I just made a nice homemade difuser from a tupperwear bowl for our groups halloween party on Saturday. I also got Sly's book and thought it was great, I just haven't had much of a chance for the flash yet

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

Thanks for the recommendations....

I'd go for a Nissin 866, its easier to use, the menus make sense and more value for money.