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I know absolutely nothing about flash but think it's about time I did. I've been looking into flashguns. The Canon Speedlight 480 EXII is £206 which is a bit steep for something I'm not sure I'll use much, so I was wondering about a Metz 50 (about £165). Or perhaps someone can suggest an even cheaper but suitable option.
I could read about flash timings and throw etc. till the cows come home but it goes straight over my head at the moment so I really want a sort of beginner's model.
Cheers, Chris
a bit like the guy yesterday spend fortune on printer then want cheap ink
Hi Chris,
the ettl relates to using the flash in an automatic sense - so you can set your camera manually(keeping the s/speed below 1/250 for flash to operate), and then the flash gun will work out how much flash to use.
You can continue to use this facility off camera, using a cable between camera and flash, ot get some pocket wizard transceivers(or similar) which allow you to continue using the flash un-tethered at quite a distance.
The alternative, which is a lot cheaper, is to use flash guns that require manual control, which is really quite easy - you start by taking a pic using manual flash - if it's too bright, you adjust the flash to use lower power and re-shoot. If it isn't bright enough, adjust the flash to use more power. Consider it like adding another exposure control to using a camera in manual mode.
The chinese make some good manual flash guns for 60D, and also some good radio triggers, allowing you to use off camera flash(es) and get creative with light placement. Whilst the flash guns aren't as powerful as the Canon brand, they do work well, and I have never had a failure whilst using the radio triggers, either using with speedlites, studio flash, or using both together.
HTH 
Quote: the ettl relates to using the flash in an automatic sense - so you can set your camera manually(keeping the s/speed below 1/250 for flash to operate), and then the flash gun will work out how much flash to use
That's my kind of flash! 
The chinese ones look a bit too cheapish but the Nissin that Gaucho mentioned looks fine. Seems to do the job.
No-one's mentioned Metz. I remember this name from many, many years ago and they seem to have a good reputation. I'll do a bit of comparison work.
Thanks Gaucho and arhb. Very helpful.
Have you considered a Canon 270EX. Not as powerful as the 480 but it is small. light, cheap and very useful if you don't need a particularly sophisticated unit. I use mine with both my 7D and my G9 and it takes up next to no space in the gadget bag but still does a far better job than the built-in flash on both cameras. Incidentally Canon say it won't work with G9 but it does.
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