Opinions about Promaster 7500DX Flash

Another option for you would be the Canon 550's. You can find some very reasonable prices on them now and they will work perfectly with your 10D.

I have checked into that, but it seems that 550EX is no longer sold in stores. That is why I was considering Promaster.

Any other opinions?

I never used Promaster flash, but I know from my 28 years of photographic experience that independent equipment producers cut corners in parts and quality to maintain low prices. Canon 580EX is an excellent flash and will work great with 10D and even better with new Canons for many years. At about $350 it is not cheap, but if 7500DX is 50% less than we are talking about $175. Do you want to take risk of equipment failure at the wedding for $175? Besides even with Canon 10D and 580EX you should always have a back up equipment. You can't ask people to repeat their wedding tomorrow or even delay it.

Just checked price and availability for Canon 550EX. It is available new from Adorama for $300. You can use this link http://www.adorama.com/ca550exu.html?emailquote=Y or do a search at http://www.adorama.com

If you're planning on photographing weddings professionally, get the best flash(es) you can afford. If you're just going to do these two weddings, then I'd suggest renting (or borrow) a decent flash for the two events. If you want a flash and just want the best value for your money, pick up a couple of Vivitar 283's or 285's on ebay. (Just get sure the sync voltage is OK). They're workhorses that have been around forever.

I have a Sigma 500 DG Super Flash, a Canon 420EX, and a newly aquired 580EX. The best flash is the 580--it's an absolute joy to use. It's powerful and flexible, accurate as heck on my 20D. I've really enjoyed the wireless eTTL with the multiple flashes. (I use this as my portable portrait lighting with some umbrellas and stands.)

For most weddings, a good flash is going to make or break you. If you can't light a shot, it's gone. Sure, you can use faster glass, but tha't more exensive than a single good flash and it entains using a larger aperture and therefore narrower depth of field and that may not be what you want. Until you REALLY know what you're doing with available light, it's always better to error on the side of having a bigger flash available. Of course, just my simple opinion and everyone has their own style...

Would the 580EX work with my 10D? Is it better to buy 580 or 550? I am convinced now, thanks to you all, to stick with one of these.

Having worked my way through college selling camera gear retail, I would posit that the 'guys at the store swore by 7500DX' largely because they get a $25 bonus if they can sell you one. They have a higher profit margin. Doesn't mean it's awful, or even that they are lying. It just colors their motivations.

I've worked part time in a camera store for 25 years and we are a Promaster dealer. Canon's flashes are superb, but I'll tell you a couple of things:

1. It has been my understanding from talking to Canon reps and others in the industry for years that Canon has never made its own flashes. Canon's flashes are made for Canon by third-party manufacturers. There is nothing wrong with Canon selling non-OEM flashes with Canon nameplates, but it undercuts the argument that "independent equipment producers cut corners in parts and quality to maintain low prices." Canon flashes may be pricey, but they are top notch.

2. As alluded to, one downside to Canon paying third parties to produce its flashes is higher prices. For instance, Canon's current flagship, the 580EX, sells at B&H for $360 after rebate. Nikon produces its own high-end flashes; so Nikon's current flagship, the SB-800, which has more features than the 580EX (i.e. a thyristor auto "eye" that allows the flash to be used in auto aperture mode with other brands of cameras) sells at B&H for $315.

3. The last time I looked at numbers, more Promaster flashes were being sold in the U.S. than any other brand. This despite the fact that Promaster flashes are only sold by a relatively small group of "PRO" member stores.

4. The 7500DX is an excellent, powerful shoe mount flash that offers value for the money. I wouldn't speak for another store and I'm not trolling for business, but if you bought a 7500DX flash from my store and were unhappy with it for any reason, we would let you return the flash within 15 days and purchase the more expensive Canon flash, if that was what you wanted. Ask the dealer you are working to offer you a similar deal.

5. Promaster totally stands behind its products. For instance, I had a customer who rode his high-end Promaster flash really hard. After two years of taking a real beating the flash started having problems. We were able to take the flash back across the counter and hand the guy a new flash. He was startled and very grateful.

6. Per another comment, if you are shooting weddings, whether you buy Canon or Promaster, you need at least two flashes at a wedding in case one breaks. Always have back-up equipment for everything. It is one of the costs of being a wedding photographer.

7. I don't know where Todd worked, but I've never received a $25 bonus for selling any flash in my life. I make a living as a lawyer and work in my friends' camera store for amusement. Simply put, if Promaster flashes were crap, I wouldn't sell or recommend them.

I don't know where Todd worked, but I've never received a $25 bonus for selling any flash in my life

Jafco in Bellingham WA, and Sunland Camera in Phoenix. 20+ years ago, the first is long gone and I don't know about the second. We got 'spiffs' for selling high profit lenses, flashes, bags, and even some camera brands. Most of the incentive funds / programs involved money direct from the manufacturer, some were more the boss's local concoction. Even made some money on Nikon on rare occasions (my brand of choice).

If Eric can testify that Promaster is a decent unit, I'd probably listen to him (he's been around here a lot and contributes a great deal). I haven't heard good or bad about the brand, and I weighed in with my cynical observation that when a sales guy pushes hard on a brand you haven't heard of, he may have an ulterior motive.