External flash for canon 450d?

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eat my try

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I want an external flash for my canon camera so that when I photograph family events and our annual mini festival (almost pitch black), I can get the lighting right. Ive tried a diffuser but am looking for a better flash than the one on my camera. I don't know where to start! I don't like the shadows made by my normal flash and I don't like startling my subjects when they are having a nice drink! Any ideas? I've heard that I should be looking for a flash that bounces??
 
Yes bounce flash works very well, but you do need something to bounce off. If you're outdoors that won't work.

A good flash to start off with is the Canon 430EX II and if you can afford it the 580EX II, both have tilt/swivel head to bounce it. The 580 also has a commander mode that can control a number of slaves (either 430's or other 580's).

However if you find that Canon's OEM flashguns are too expensive then you have the Sigma EF500 and 550 ST and SUPER models which all support ETTL flash metering for Canon SLRs. I would recommend the SUPER models for the manual capability. A flash is pretty useless without ETTL or manual mode.

Also worth considering would be the Metz 48AF1 and 58AF1 both can take USB firmware updates so if Canon pulls a quick one you won't be left out of pocket. Also I think the metz flashguns also support the Canon control system, though you may want to check that one out.

Finally when working outdoors you will probably need to use something like a stofen on top of your flashgun. Which should diffuse out the flash like bouncing normally would.

Oh also a flash is a flash is a flash...you're always going to startle people...but at least you'll startle them and hopefully get a better image than before.
 
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