I have an acquaintance that bought a New Q-5D and Turbo Battery about 2 years ago to photograph his daughters wedding. He says he only used it one additional time since he purchased it. The gear all looks brand new and is in the original boxes. I have been interested in purchasing a Q flash for some time now. Recently he approached me and asked me if I wanted to buy the whole setup (Flash and Turbo Battery) for $500.00. I am really interested in buying the newest Q5D-R? because it supposedly works with Canon E-ttl and will interface with Canon flashes? Can anyone with (knowledge and or experience in this area) tell me the advantage (or not) of spending the extra $600.00 or so for the new model vs the Q5D. I know the Q-5DR currently sells for just under $600.00 on B&H minus the battery. I'd also like to know if there are any reasons that the slightly used Q5D would be a bad purchase.
Thanks for your input.

B&H T5D-R, $641 Adorama, $621

Personally, I see no real benefit in being able to interface with Canon flashes. I mean, if you're going to invest in some Quantum's, why would you have/need anything else? Another thing is that infra-red has limitations. If you can work within them, fine, but why be restricted by them? I've got 1 T5D already and will eventually get at least 1 more (maybe 2) along with the FreeXwire's. Yeah, it will cost more, but the flashes are so versatile. :cool:

And if your friend is willing to let you steal the setup from him for $500, what are you waiting for!?!?!?

Thanks for your response. My main motivation in trying to find a flash that interfaces with the Canon is because I already have a lot of money tied up in Canon Flashes. I just happen to like multiple light set ups and can't afford 2 or 3 T5d's with battery packs right now. Since shoe mount flashes tend to be under powered in some situations, (I usually use them off camera with the STE2) I was thinking about adding the Quantum to my flash arsenal for a main light and use the Canon's for fill and back lighting. Obviously, I could always add other Quantums later. Personally, I wish Canon made a potato masher like Metz with the same power, accuracy and reliability.

If you're looking for power on a budget, take a look at the Sunpak 555 (potato masher). It has the same GN as a T5D but only 1/3 the cost. It also does not have the options the T5D has though, but there are third party items you can put on a 555 that should work out fine. A guy on another forum uses a bunch of them with Pocket Wizards and mini Apollo soft boxes and gets pretty good results. Only problem might be is you'd probably need to set things the good old fashioned way...manually.

Thanks again David, I appreciate your input. Actually, if I want to use manual flash I have Alien Bees and White lightnings with a Vagabond battery pack for the heavy duty stuff. The three key features that I am looking for is 1) significantly more power than a Canon 580, 2)ETTL compatibility, and 3)lighter weight than my vagabond set up. I really have everything else that I need.