topic Re: Need the right flash unit for Canon Rebel EOS T3i to use as separate fill light. in Speedlite Flashes

Need the right flash unit for Canon Rebel EOS T3i to use as separate fill light.

ZCECILIA — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 20:38:52 GMT

Im looking to have a separate flash unit for my Rebel T3i purchased in 2012. My old Canon speedlight 300EZ was for my old 35mm. film Canon EOS 650 and is somewhat limited. I have a Phottix Strato II Multi Transmitter and Receiver set but I can't get it to work with the old 300 EZ speedlight.

Thanks,

Zeida Cecilia-Mendez

Re: Need the right flash unit for Canon Rebel EOS T3i to use as separate fill light.

ScottyP — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:25:11 GMT

A Canon 430ex would be a good flash for not a lot of money. So would a Phottix Mitros.

The best thing would be to have 2 or 3 flashes so you can shoot with a more 3-d professional look, though you'd need an extra receiver or else you can simply buy a pair of Phottix Mitros Plus flashes, which have a transmitter and receiver built in. I have 3 of the Mitros + units and I love them.

Re: Need the right flash unit for Canon Rebel EOS T3i to use as separate fill light.

Skirball — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:44:19 GMT

+1 Start with the 430. It'll give you eTTL capabilities if you want. If you enjoy flash and would like to get into more advanced flash photography then I'd get a couple more with radio triggers. But I'd recommend Yongnuo 560III if you're ok with manual flash. If you want off-camera eTTL then that's a much more complicated discussion.

Re: Need the right flash unit for Canon Rebel EOS T3i to use as separate fill light.

amfoto1 — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 22:19:19 GMT

Tiny and mostly automated: 90EX... Guide Number 30ft/9m.

Small and mostly automated: 270EX or 270EX II... GN 89ft/27m.

Medium/Video: 320EX.... GN 105ft/32m, provides a flash tube for still photos, plus has a small continuous lamp for video.

Medium: 430EX II... GN 141ft/43m.

Large: 600EX-RT... GN 197ft/60m, can serve as master or off-camera slave via radio control & triggering of other 600EX-RT units (other flashes use optical communication for off-camera/remote control).

I have no idea how these would work with the Phottix items.

***********
Alan Myers

San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM

Re: Need the right flash unit for Canon Rebel EOS T3i to use as separate fill light.

TCampbell — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 01:10:22 GMT

The guide number uses a base-exposure of ISO 100 and f/1.0. The ISO 100 part is no problem (every camera can do that), but nobody makes an f/1.0 lens. That focal length is used because it makes the math easy when you want to find out how far away a subject can be and still get adequate light.

Divide the guide number by the f-stop you are using. Most all lenses can handle f/5.6 as a worst-case. So you could use that as a working assumption. But that makes a 90EX good for about 5-1/4 feet at ISO 100 and f/5.6. You can get that up to 10-1/2 feet at ISO 400. This means the 90 is a bit limited. It could be used for fill light at close range.

The 430EX II is probably the best "first" dedicated speedlite. My first dedicated E-TTL speedlite was a 430EX II, then I got a 580EX II... now I use 600EX-RT units (and love the radio system that the 600's have.)

A 430EX II would provide adequate light for a subject about 25' away at f/5.6 while still using a base ISO of 100. At ISO 400 it can handle about 50'.

Also, the 430EX II can work as an optically triggered remote flash in conjunction with the on-camera flash of the T3i.