spec me my first flash

Devrij · 19 Feb 2012 at 19:00

I'm a bit of a noon when it comes to flash work, but I know the on camera is all but useless in most cases (unless I want to make people look terrible). Just sold my bike so have a wee bit of cash to play with. I want a flash I can bounce, and that I can use off-camera. I won't be doing any studio work or anything, I just want to be able to take pics at parties and make a lightbox etc. I shoot a 550d, what do people recommend for a modest first flash?

Devrij · 19 Feb 2012 at 19:13

My budget is budget. Preferably below 200 quid, but if that isn't possible then just recommend a not-crap flash that does all the above and i'll just start saving. I really know very little about them so just suggest what you think is about right for me.

Devrij · 19 Feb 2012 at 19:15

Also, what is all this master and slave stuff? Presumably slave means it can be triggered by something else (another flash? Camera?) And master is being able to trigger other flashes?

Devrij · 20 Feb 2012 at 09:07

Is there anything else I'd need? To use the flash off camera do I need a radio trigger or can my 550d connect to it without one (noob question I know)?

Devrij · 21 Feb 2012 at 11:04

adbp1 said:
I recently purchased the 565ex and pair of rf603, cracking lil flash/tigger combo, got for around £130 of the bay and uk sent within 4 days.
triggers work about 100ft away!! tested while doing wirewool photography.

Looks like this is the setup I'll be going for then. Going to pick up a 50mm f1.8 sometime this week, then next paycheque or two will be flash and triggers.