Use of Speedlite Flashes on a Canon EOS 600D Camera

[Fotobuff]

Hi!

I am planning to buy a flash for my eos 600 camera. After going through the various options, I have more or less zeroed in on the Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash. I would like to clear up one or two points. To use this flash with my 600d, do I need to buy a Speedlite transmitter or the camera has a built-in system which can use the 430 EX II as an external slave unit ? I understand that, in the second case, the built-in flash on the 600d will act as a master unit. Is this right?

Please let me know whether the choice of this particular Speedlite is ok for a newbie and also how the built-in camera flash will co-ordinate with the slave Speedlite to achieve a good exposure and also produce the right light amount of light (from both the flashes) needed for the APS-C sensor (smaller than full-frame). I need some hand-holding here before I take the decision.

Thanks for the continuing helpful comments on the Forum. I have found it very useful. 

[whizkid]

Your 600D will not need a Speedlite transmitter to use a 430EX II flash as an external slave. A whole chapter in your 600D (T3i) users manual explains and illustrates the various set up choices regarding wireless flash. One neat trick the pricey Speedlite transmitter can do is to be used as an infrared focus assist in low light when not wanting flash. Useful when not wanting the pop-up flash to use it's annoying assist focus ability.

[KeithB]

whiz kid is correct, I use my T3i all the time as the wireless master. Syl Arena's book - which Bob reviewed - is a good primer for getting into flash.

[KeithB]

just for the record, here is Bob's review of Syl's Book:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/books/Speedliters_Handbook_review.html

[Fotobuff]

Thanks, everyone for your helpful comments.