Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash

Pros: Master wireless control, overall functionality, excellent exposure metering, fast & silent recycling, sealing
Cons: Expensive, large and heavy, slaves must be in line of sight of master (for trigger)

While pretty much all professional cameras require an external flash, most consumer and "prosumer" grade cameras have one built in. So why spend any money on an external design like the (admittedly pricey) 580EX II? Well, the answer is in the pictures ...

Pros: Powerful; Superior Build Quality; Weather-Sealed; Advanced Features
Cons: Heavy

Recently I decided on purchasing my own hot shoe flash. It all came down to the Canon Speedlite 580EX II and the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 flash. I ended up with the Metz, and just returned the Canon. Nonetheless, ...

Pros: Full Canon functionality with all bodies (dig and film)
Cons: Expensive, accessories expensive

I've been into digital slr photography for almost two years. My first near professional camera was the Canon Digital Rebel (original not the newer one out these days). That camera has built in flash but it's just not good enough to keep up with fast ...

Pros: Quick Release Hotshoe Mount, A Plethora Of Features, Padded Case Included
Cons: Flip Down Diffuser Is Hard To Pull Out, Steep Price Tag

I got this excellent flash for a great price from an on-line merchant. I had been researching this flash for several weeks, and found that it received rave reviews at many sites on the Internet, so I decided to purchase it for myself. All I can say is, ...

Pros: Good under controlled conditions when you need little more than a 3 shot burst
Cons: Rubbish with uncontrolled conditions when you need more than a 3 shot burst

I have had this flash for about a year and it has cost me hundreds of dollars in lost image sales due to the very poor consistency on ETTL. Also, the flash cuts out automatically (to avoid cooking the head) even if you are only using it as fill at -3 on ...