What should I get?

[TJ K]

LOL, that's cumulative shots. I've had the new body for a few weeks now.

But no, I don't sleep(much)

Then why not recharge the standard pack when you're sleeping and save the cost of the grip?

Because sometimes if he's possibly out in the cold batteries drain much faster so if he needed to shoot a lot perhaps snowboarding:mrgreen: he wouldn't want his camera to go dead and he's not going to be sleeping outside in the cold to charge his batteries. A grip is a great accessory just like anything else but it's actually quite useful. GL -TJ

 

[fiveoboy01]

LOL, that's cumulative shots. I've had the new body for a few weeks now.

But no, I don't sleep(much)

Then why not recharge the standard pack when you're sleeping and save the cost of the grip?

The last airshow I went to I took almost 1,600 images. Could have been more but I was sick of the heat. Can the single battery in the body go that many clicks, I have no idea.

And as I said before, being able to comfortably access the shutter button and command dials in portrait orientation is a big plus for me.

 

[Samanax]

I dont do off camera yet but I would like to which is the reason for the 580exii... I could possibly get the 430ex ii now and have alittle more cash... but that would just be a greater expense (for the 580) when i was ready for multiple flashes..... UGH the choices.

You don't have to use Canon Speedlites when you go off camera, you can use cheaper third party brands...although that would mean going with wireless triggers.

These seem to be gaining in popularity with the strobist crowd: LumoPro LP120 Manual Flash

I was thinking 1.4 over the 1.8 because its only a couple hundred more.. and from what iv read the 1.8 is made out of pastic? and feels like its going to fall apart? So my thinking there was pay the extra get a better lense and not have to worry about replacing the 1.8 if/when it breaks...

The 1.8 isn't that fragile, but you do have to treat it like a precision instrument (like you would with your camera body and other lenses). I'm pretty sure you don't plan to juggle your lenses.

The flash will be for general purpose/portraits... I am not a professional photographer just addicted to this hobby.

On Camera Flash Photography Techniques

I thought not only for comfort but you got the 2 batteries, with the option of AA's?

The T1i (like the other Digital Rebels) is a pretty small entry level DSLR and if you have relatively big hands the battery grip will make a big difference in how the camera feels in your hands. And being able to shoot longer before changing the batteries is a plus.

I have the XTi and it always felt like a toy in my hands (which aren't that large) but with the battery grip it actually feels like a DSLR. And with two batteries I can take about 1200 shots before I gotta switch out the batteries.

I think even if i did get the 430/580 i would still need a "trigger" of some sort to do off camera flash correct?

Yes, if all flashes are off-camera. If the 580EX II is on-camera you can use it as a master to control the 430EX II (as a slave).

I have the 580EX II and two 430EX flashes but I don't use the master/slave capability...when I use them off-camera I use CyberSyncs wireless radio triggers to fire them.

Im having a toss up with the flash i think... The 580 will control other 580's and 430's.... will it control other cheaper flashes like the 220? or just something less expensive?

No, the 220EX and 270EX are not able to slave from a 580EX II master. Only the 430EX and 430EX II will do that.

I mean i need to by the transmitter regaurdless if i do off camera shooting... so like someone else said why not just get the 430 get some V4's and use that to control the other flashes?

The master/slave feature between the 580EX II and the 430EX or 430EX II is "line-of-sight", meaning the flashes have to be able to "see" each other in order to fire at the same time. With wireless radio triggers they don't have to be in a "line-of-sight" configuration, so you could actually have one of the flashes behind a wall and it will still trigger (as long as it's within radio contact distance).