Which canon flash?

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esawers

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Topic # 162125 30-Jan-2015 00:00

Looking for a decent flash for the Canon 70d, don't have a lot of experience with flash yet, I know about exp compensation and bouncing, that's about it.
Ideally was after a 430ex ii, but there are a few 580ex I for sale on tm much cheaper.

Any reason not to buy the 580ex over the 430ex ii?

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Reply # 1225059 30-Jan-2015 05:48

580 v1 has a high voltage port for fast recharge and is twice as powerful - but twice as powerful is only one stop. Flashes do wear out, flash tube replacements aren't super expensive but not sure if the 580 v1 is still supported by Canon. Plus, warranty with a new purchase. Personally unless I knew I really needed the power and the high voltage port I'd take the new 430 ii over an old 580, especially if it was just for personal use.

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gcorgnet

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Reply # 1225063 30-Jan-2015 07:00

Hi,
I would also looked into the Youngnuo range is budget is somewhat limited.

I own the Youngnuo 568 ExII which is very good feature wise : It can be master/slave, works with Canon wireless system and even has High Speed Sync.

This can be had for about $250 which when I looked was a fraction of the Canon prices for similar features.

timmmay

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Reply # 1225065 30-Jan-2015 07:16

Youngnuo does have a reasonable reputation.

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Reply # 1225068 30-Jan-2015 07:25

Get the yongnuo YN568 EX II coz it has HSS. You want HSS.

i don't know which canon one has HSS but presumably you have to pay an extra $500 to get HSS.

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Reply # 1225074 30-Jan-2015 08:00

430EX II has HSS - I think all Canon flashes do.

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lxsw20

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Reply # 1225076 30-Jan-2015 08:16

I have a 430EX II to sell if you were considering second hand. It's probably been used about 5 times in its life. Got it in Germany in 2012 when I was on my OE. PM me if you're interested.

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Reply # 1225077 30-Jan-2015 08:27

the YN568 EX II is comparable to the 600+ EX but for less than the price of a 430 ... not sure if you want the brightest, but i would :D

the difference between the 568 and the canon 600 (apart from price) is i think water resistance ... correct me if wrong

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Reply # 1225078 30-Jan-2015 08:28

but of course if you have $ to spend go canon, probably second hand.

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Reply # 1225079 30-Jan-2015 08:30

i also remember while looking for a strobe that not all canon strobes are compatible with new canon bodies, so just check first

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Reply # 1225111 30-Jan-2015 09:17

joker97: i also remember while looking for a strobe that not all canon strobes are compatible with new canon bodies, so just check first

Are you sure about that? Perhaps not all features work, say a 600EX on an old 20D body, but I'd be surprised if it didn't do at least the basics.

I only use OEM gear for professional work - I've had trouble with third party at times. I use both Canon and Nikon flashes, 550EX, 580EX, SB900, the Canon ones are just off camera with high voltage packs for fast recharge.

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Reply # 1225138 30-Jan-2015 09:44

i believe i read it off ken rockwell. he might not be the best source of info. but i was new to prosumer products then. i decided then that i was going all in on digital photography, but i could be wrong.

hmmm nowhere on google does it say only certain flashguns work on 5D3 ...

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Reply # 1225141 30-Jan-2015 09:47

to the OP also consider a light diffuser. otherwise the pictures look pretty harsh if you point the thing directly at something/one. one thing at a time.

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TLD

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Reply # 1225249 30-Jan-2015 11:55

I never work professionally without a flash on both cameras. I've owned a few, and can tell you the EX2 are much cleverer at getting exposure right. I use 580EX2 now, and was amazed how good they are right out of the box.

I reckon on up to six metres of useful fill at f2.8 and ISO200 in bright sunlight (EV15 or 16). A 430EX would struggle in bright sunlight, but would be fine in most low ambient light situations.

I've looked at Yongnuo strobes but I am not sure how well e-TTL works with them, and that is a vital feature IMO.

I can't make good business sense for the Canon 600EX-RT because a) neither of my bodies would use it fully, b) I already own a full Radio Popper kit which gives me full range e-TTL, and Pocket Wizard Plus2s for manual and studio work.

So in summery, get an EX2 if you can. Get a 580EX2 if you intend using it outside in bright daylight. 430EX2 if only interested in low light interiors.

Trevor Dennis
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Reply # 1225269 30-Jan-2015 12:14

A Canon will always work that bit better, spec for spec.

But for a cheap skate like me, spec for spec the YN was a no brainer. ETTL works fine on mine but I don't have a $1000 Canon to compare with.

But I don't fire directly ahead so I always check to confirm, and when I strobe from another angle or bounce sometimes I usE manual

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Reply # 1225274 30-Jan-2015 12:33

With the Canon system the intelligence of the system is primarily in the body.

Diffusers are an interesting topic. There's no point using a diffuser if you're using direct flash - a diffuser works by increasing the light source size, and no diffuser is big enough to make a significant difference given the working distance involved. It's only once you get to umbrella size that diffusers make much difference. I prefer walls and ceilings. Outdoors I use fill flash sometimes, other times I use a strobe in a small soft box, but I don't hesitate to use a bare strobe to light subjects with the sun behind them. The latter gives a nice blue sky and still bright subjects.

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