Transmitter/ Reciever- Flashes?

[LiveStrong2009]

Right now I am accumulating funds for these accessories; however, my mind seems to flop daily. One day I am considering an inexpensive flash (Vivitar) the next I am thinking of sticking with Canon.

I really need some guidance about pros and cons of going with Vivitar vs Canon, or Canon vs Vivitar. Are there any functions that I would be missing? What can I do on a canon that I could not do on a vivitar?

Also, I am thinking of Transmitters/Receivers. Earlier the Cactus V4 system was mentioned. That seems like a cost effective system, but does the performance correspond to the price? Should I be considering a nicer system? For example a pocket wizard system? Thoughts/opinions/suggestions?

Thanks for your help, it is hard making uninformed decisions. And unfortunately a decent/ trustworthy camera shop is not close to where I live.

 

[KmH]

You'll need to be a bit more specific: which Canon, which Vivitar?

Unless you are doing pro shoots, you don't need Pocket Wizards. Any of the inexpensive eBay or Gadget Infinity Cactus triggers will serve you well.

 

[table1349]

Do you use ttl? If so get Canon, if not get vivitar for off camera use. Since I do use ttl sometimes my portable setup includes two EX 580's & 4 sunpack 383's. That way I have a pair of 580's for macro, events etc where I want ttl. When I don't I can use the entire combination as the 383's have the same power as 580's. For transmitters choose what you feel will work for you. I have 4 PW II's and a pair of Multi-Max since I shoot sports. I have never used the cactus triggers and PW's are expensive. A good middle ground seems to be the Cyber sync's from Alien Bees.

 

[IgsEMT]

A good middle ground seems to be the Cyber sync's from Alien Bees.

Have them, use almost daily, work amazing and great range

 

[LiveStrong2009]

The models I have considered would be a Canon 430EXii, Vivitar 285HV or 383.
These would be used with a Canon T1i.

Also, if I did decide to stick with vivitar, I would probably get 2 flashes. Solely because the Canon is $265 on adorama, the Vivtar is either $90 or $130 depending on the model.

 

[LiveStrong2009]

Any thoughts anybody?

 

[AprilEye]

Here is a blog about some Canon flashes.
The DSLR Photographer: Photography Tips - Tutorials - Equipment Reviews

I am in the same boat and leaning towards the 430EX Speedlight Flash.

 

[LiveStrong2009]

Thanks for the link, I will read through all of that.

I am having a very hard time weighing my choices, I like sticking with Canon. However, I could get 2 vivitar flashes for the same price as 1 canon.

One thing that I am not sure about, is whether I could use the vivitar as a slave. Does anybody have an answer to that? Will the vivitar fire when I am using a T1i pop up as the master?

 

[KmH]

If you can't decide on a speedlight, how do you making all decisions necessary to make a photograph?

The Vivitar 285HV won't trigger on a flash of light, unless you put an optical trigger accessory on the foot. FlashZebra.com: Optical Slaves

Read the specs for the gear you are looking at:
Vivitar DF 383 Series 1 Digital TTL Shoe Mount DF-383-CAN B&H

http://vivitar.com/products#Professional

Remote Triggering
Built-in optical slave function allows for off-camera operation

If you are using radio triggers, you don't need the popup flash.

 

[davisphotos]

Depends on if you need or want your flashes to work with eTTL, a pretty simple decision-if you don't mind having to manually adjust flash output, go with the Vivitar or other 3rd party, if you really must have the eTTL triggering (which is line of sight, by the way), go with the Canon flashes. There are lots and lots of sites extolling the virtues of both Canon and third party systems.