Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash For Canon Digital SLR Cameras

I have only just begun to use this flash, but found it useful right out of the box. While I'm still learning about lighting, the automatic TTL with this is a boon, but it's also great to be able to make adjustments to the automatic settings to compensate for moments I want more or less light.I love the way the head swivels in many directions, which means I can bounce it off ceilings or walls or whatever. I also got the stofen omni bounce, which is a very nice addition for not a lot of money, and it has gotten some use indoors with family pictures. I can't compare this to off-brand TTL flashes, but I can say I like this flash and highly recommend it. Buy Canon Speedlite 430EX II Price Lowest Price, Order Now! [Click Here!]
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Wein SSHSHS Safe-Sync Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe #W990560

I have had no voltage problems since using this gadget. I can't say I know anything about it other than I've read where it is important. I have many friends using older flash units with new cameras and they have no problems. They have never heard of this thing. Camera shops don't know about it or any voltage problems. In the remote possibility of damage occurring I use it anyway but it is a pain. It doesn't fit my hotshoe securely so it is hard to tell if it is fully seated and I get some shots where the flash didn't go off. Can't say I'd like to use this under pressure as a wedding photographer.
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Wein - Flash adapter

Why am I taking the trouble to review something so small and seemingly insignificant? Well, in short, it's great piece of gear.

Originally, I bought this, along with a Paramount Hotshoe to Household cord when I first started playing with off camera flash. It was great, because the 15' paramount cord was usually long enough, but it it wasn't, I could use $2 extension cords to extend the reach, rather than $40 PC-Sync extension cords. Other than the widely available, super cheap extension cords, the household plug is infinity more durable than PC Sync connectors.

What do I use this for now that I've gone wireless? With shoe flashes that don't have PC Sync ports, or wired sync ports of any type for that matter, you have to sync with the hotshoe on the flash. So, I put the flash on this adapter, and use household to miniphone cables (I use Skyports, which have miniphone jacks on them) to acheive sync with my flashes that don't have wired sync ports. I've used this on the Nikon SB600, Nikon SB24, Sunpak 383S, and Canon 430EX flashes without issue.

Another neat trick I've used this for is extending the reach of cheap 'ebay' triggers. The triggers I had previous to my Skyports were the Cactus variety, where the receivers had hotshoes on them. They're handy triggers, but I didn't find them to be very reliable. On one shoot, I wanted to put a flash behind a stone wall that was about 15" thick. As I expected, it didn't work. So, I put the flash on this adapter, and ran the Paramount Hotshoe to household cable (mentioned earlier) to this adapter, attached the hotshoe side of the cable to the hotshoe on the receiver, and place the receiver on the other side of the wall so that it would actually trigger.

All in all, a very handy little part to have! I use it in some fashion on every shoot. Also, it's really durable, unlike most other wired sync-to-hothoe adapters other there. I only own one, but I'm going to order a few more soon, as they're wonderful for my wireless setup.
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LumiQuest Pro Max 80-20 Bounce Flash Device

Avoiding shade with one light source/flash is very challenging. I'm very impressed by this product. It is a very easy way to make huge difference. If you flash has a diffuser itself, also use it together with the 80-20. Highly recommended. Please note, it only works well in apartment/house condition, with relatively low ceiling and close wall near by to reflect light.
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Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash + Deluxe Flash Bracket Accessory Kit

If you are looking into buying the SB-800 (Overkill for most non-professionals, and even some professionals, but great features) then buy this full kit. I was not able to find the items that came in this kit anywhere else for less than $100.00 more.

The bracket adds an element of versatility and creativity I never thought possible with flash. I was raised that if you are relying on your flash for a good photo you're going to be disapointed. Sorry Grandpa, but that's just not the case anymore. The bracket w/ included remote cord puts the speedlight off camera preventing red eye and a host of other on camera issues. It has six different mounting points on the base so you can utilize a tripod with the bracket.

It's hefty, but not uncomfortable and it is well balanced. The design of the adjustment parts is smooth and allows for an infinate number of different positions (Top, Angles, Sides) when combined with the tilt and pan capabilities of the speed light.

The Batteries are effective out of the box (I haven't had a chance to drain them yet, but I've taken lots of pictures) and the extra battery cases are extremely convenient.

Overall this is an outstanding package and a GREAT DEAL as far as I could find. Shipping was also extremely fast, especially considering I am currently at an overseas APO.
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LumiQuest ProMax Pocket Bouncer

I have a Canon 430EX flash unit and I wanted to be able to add some bounce ability and control, with or without a ceiling present. Then it also depends on the height of the ceiling that is present. This intelligent little unit unfolds and attachs to Velcro(tm), hook-n-loop fastened around the flash head. I purchased the LUMIQUEST Cinch Strap - Easily attach and remove flash bounce as I did not want to attach the double sticky-back Velcro(tm) directly to my flash unit. The Cinch Strap takes care of that and works like a champ.
This unit folds nicely for inserting a space the size of a small camera (read Canon S5 IS) and installs in seconds and allows one to go from shooting with the flash unit head in a direct vertical position down to a few angles below directly vertical.
It bounces light well and works great with the TTL features of the Canon 430EX and Canon camera.
It works to soften light and to soften shadows.
It gets a great THUMBS UP!! from me.
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Vivitar VP1 Vari-Power Adapter for 283 Flash

Product as advertised, delivered quickly. Works perfectly with the Vivitar 283 flash for manual power. Thanks.
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Luna-Pro F - Analog Incident, Reflected and Flash , 4030,

Hi! I just received this gem from Ace Digital Club. BTW, I have made numerous purchases from them with no problems. I suspect they themselves procured this from the Smithsonian as it was old enough that that case had adhered to the foam packaging and the battery was dead. ( This is by no means a criticism, I am just being facetious that this is not the most popular meter on the shelf )

This is a large, very well built meter. It weighs 8.1 oz with the strap. It reads down to about -1.5 EV at 100 ISO. It is DEAD on with the Gossen StarLite at that value in a dark hall way. ( I just had a seizure using the StarLite when I changed the ISO on the StarLite . It doesn't take much with me. That is why I decided to try this unit ).

The Gossen Luna Pro F is a TOTALLY analog unit. It is powered by a 9 volt battery. It is unusual insofar as it is a nulling unit. Ie, you turn it on by pushing the large red button on the left side of the unit and then you rotate the outer dial until the needle is centered on the large 0 in the center of the scale. ( This is the very old-fashioned accurate test and measurement technique back from Edison and Tesla ) You can then read the EV, zone , or the aperture / shutter speed. The dial is about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. This is a LARGE unit. I still need my reading glasses though to read the dial although not to null the meter. ( My glasses are about 2.75 )

After, I think ten light meters, I have only found three that I can use without having seizures.
1) Gossen Luna-Pro F ( Analog -1.5 EV ISO 100 )
2) Sekonic L-398A ( Analog EV 4 ISO 100 ( optimistic ) )
3) Sekonic L-778 ( Unavilable SPOTMETER )

4) Gossen StarLite is BARELY accessible ( my normal light meter )
5) Sekonic L-758DR is TOTALLY inaccessible ( history )
6) Other Sekonics marginally accessibly ( I use them but BEWARE of flashing UNDER RANGE )

Accessibility is definitely not a design feature. I use the term 'dangerous by design', unfortunately. I just got rid of my Nikon D40X and D80 because they were unusable. Ironically I had a seizure at UPS from the VDT when I was shipping them off. ( I was six or eight feet away and at maybe a ten or fifteen degree angle of incidence ).

After years of attempting to get accessibility from numerous companies I feel now that it is necessary that the Americans with Disabilities Act be amended so that companies are required to provide accessibility as it is clear that with the few exceptions of Adobe and Mathworks, no companies are willing to do so.

Anyways, if you have the money, purchase this unit just for the fun of it. It is a kick to use and it beats lifting weights!

Roy





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Smith-Victor MODEL280BK - Video light kit

This light is very powerful, and I love the barn doors. The Battery however is very heavy and doses not have an indicator built in to tell how much life it has.
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Nikon SB 50DX - Hot-shoe clip-on flash - 26 (m)

The SB 50DX is just the ticket for the older Nikon cameras. The SB 50DX speedlight is superb with the N80 - providing TTL metering and a wide range of settings. Even better, if you shoot with film, the SB 50DX is readily available in the used market for $50-75. What an amazing price for a flash unit that retailed for more than $200 in early 2004. For digital flash, the SB 50DX works well with the older models, but check carefully. For example, the D70 and D50 have iTTL metering - which is not supported by the SB 50DX. But for other digital models such as the D1, the SB 50DX is fully functional.
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Nikon SB-400 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight, USA Warranty, Basic Outfit with 4 NiMH Batteries, Charger, Flashpoint Flash Diffuser

SB400 is a good alternative to the pop-up flash on a digital camera. The mail reason would be to extend camera battery life (the flash runs on its own batteries). The flash also allows you to bounce the flash off a ceiling to avoid red-eye. If you can afford it the SB800 or 900 would be a better option.

Rechargeable batteries and the diffuser work great as well.

Adorama we great in every way with e-mails throughout the whole order and shipping process.



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Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for the Metz 36AF, Minolta 3500XI, Nikon SB28/SB28 DX, Pentax 330 FTZ, Sigma 420/430, Sunpak 355AF and Vivitar 836/840AF Flashes.

This one works with the Canon 430EX. I'v got one and it has a snug fit. Highly recommended.
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Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for the Achiever DZ260, Canon 420EZ, 430EZ and Vivitar 283, 285 & 5600 Zoom Flashes (OM-B)

I too mistakenly believed that this model, listed as fitting the 420 model, would also fit my 420EX but it doesn't... Just a word to future purchasers: check your model number VERY carefully!
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Opteka RL-300 Macro Ring Light for Fuji FinePix S602 S7000

I ordered the RL-300 to do forensic up-close work with my Fuji S602. Using copy-stand lighting has always caused shadows from the camera. Well I found I could use only half the macro range and non of the close-macro range of the Fuji because when the camera was brought closer to the subject, a lighting dead area formed. The lights in the RL-300 ring light are not focused inward enough to serve as a true "macro" ring light.
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Bescor KLK-65XT, VS 65 Video Light & MM 7 Battery, 75 Minute Run Time.

I bought this product for my Camcorder for special events. After using it for 20 min. it died. The lamp it's ok for the money. I would recommend going the extra mile and get a bigger battery because you are going to be really disappointed with this product.
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Digi-Slave Mini L-Ring Ultra, Lightweight Continuous Light Ring for Close-Up Photography, for Lens Threads up to 52mm.

A good product. Easy to use. Actually came with a Duracell 9V in it so I could use it right out of the box. I am using it for photographing medical/dermatology macro images with a Canon Powershot S5 IS. You will need to have a 52mm adaptor to use it with this camera (I purchased an inexpensive one for $14). The only downside I have is that, unless you are zoomed in about 50%, you can see the light array in the shot, which is a bit annoying. However, the lighting from the unit is adjustable (dimer knob) and gives much better lighting than from the flash. All-in-all - for the price - it is just what I expected and wanted. If you are not into buying a several hundred dollar ring flash, this is a great, inexpensive alternative.
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LumiQuest ProMax SoftBox

What a simple and incredible product.

It really does dramatically soften the flash and spread it VERY wide.

I purchased this specifically to take "flashed" pics with a fisheye lens.

This is the only portable product I'm aware of the is sturdy and flexible and made of great material to achieve this diffusion for a corded flash.
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LumiQuest ProMax SoftBox II

I use this softbox and other LumiQuest products on a Nikon SB-800. The softbox has its place and it works well when you can't bounce off the ceiling or in tight quarters.

I tried to use the strap to secure it to the SB-800 but it is more work than it is worth. JUST USE the Velcro that comes with it. Put the Velcro on the flash just below the difuser dome so you can still use the dome. It works fine. It spreads the light out a little more than the dome. Don't use the dome and the LumiQuest together. You will loose too much light. Use one or the other depending upon what you are shooting. Just experiment.

The softbox folds flat and stores in my bag and ready to use in seconds.
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LumiQuest UltraBounce, Bounce Flash Device

The diffuse effect is adequate; but I made one but cutting out a small opaque food container with a mat knife contouring it to my flash. Cost about five cents.
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Sigma Lens EF 500 DG Super Electronic Flash for Canon SLR

Great flash, lotsa power, very feature-ful, all the functions work well, I need to buy another one to try the E-TTL2 wireless slave setup though...
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