600d flash suggestions?

Jameshuwdodd

Jameshuwdodd

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:help: I am a complete n00b when it comes to this, I've never used a flash further than the built in one on my 600d, but I'm now looking at getting a flash for use indoors at parties and for helping with getting good light on macro shots (wirelessly from the side etc). I've started looking at the options available, but already I'm getting confused...

1st thing is that I don't want to (and can't afford to!) spend the money on a canon flash

2nd thing is that the 600d appears to have built in wireless flash control, but i don't really know much about it

3rd thing is that I don't fully understand TTL, E-TTL and E-TTLII terms used to describe what the flashes can do

So; I'm a bit useless really, and I'm currently at the bottom of the learning curve. Does anyone have any advice they can offer? I'd like to spend as little as possible and make the most of the built in wireless flash control using the built in metering; any suggestions of what might be suitable and what others are using?

Thanks

James
 
The only flashes that will work wirelessly with the built in control will be the canon ones i believe. You can get a cheaper flash and buy wireless triggers, but that will start to bring you up to the budget of a canon flash.

Using wireless triggers you will also need to work in full manual unless you spend a lot on TTL triggers.

So i think the best option would be to save for the canon ones, although there a bit more expensive, it might not be in the long run.

A Canon EOS Speedlite 270EX II Flash Unit, will cost about £115 from Amazon, a cheap flash will be not much cheaper, say £60, then you would need to buy a trigger at about £25.00 for a set this will then bring you not far off the canon, which would give you the wireless your after as well as TTL.
 
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Jameshuwdodd said:
:help: I am a complete n00b when it comes to this, I've never used a flash further than the built in one on my 600d, but I'm now looking at getting a flash for use indoors at parties and for helping with getting good light on macro shots (wirelessly from the side etc). I've started looking at the options available, but already I'm getting confused...

1st thing is that I don't want to (and can't afford to!) spend the money on a canon flash
Click to expand...

Okay, look at Nissin, Metz, Sigma, Yonguo.

2nd thing is that the 600d appears to have built in wireless flash control, but i don't really know much about it
Click to expand...

600D's pop-up flash (also 60D and 7D) acts as a master controller unit for remote E-TTL enabled guns.

3rd thing is that I don't fully understand TTL, E-TTL and E-TTLII terms used to describe what the flashes can do

So; I'm a bit useless really, and I'm currently at the bottom of the learning curve. Does anyone have any advice they can offer? I'd like to spend as little as possible and make the most of the built in wireless flash control using the built in metering; any suggestions of what might be suitable and what others are using?

Thanks

James
Click to expand...

E-TTL-2 is the latest version of Canon's auto flash control systm. It's just adds a few features to E-TTL-1 and is reverse compatible.

There are two main aspects to E-TTL, a) it controls flash exposure and integrates with the camera to balance flash and ambient, b) it operates remote units and syncs everything up together.

Edit: really good book on the Canon flash system, plus loads of practical stuff - The Speedliter's Handbook by Syl Arena http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedliters...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334420299&sr=1-1
 
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Hi both, just checked back on this thread. Thanks for the information and help, I'll have a look at the book and start putting some pennies aside!
 
If starting from scratch then the Yongnuo yn-565 is a good option. I have 3, along with 2 Canon 580EX/EXII and a Canon 430EX. The Canon's are better built for sure, but I only paid £100 each for the Yongnuo units and they work fine both on camera and also triggered by the flash from the 600D (well I've got a 7D but same control). The main limiting factor of the Yongnuo is that it doesn't have high speed sync, this means that you won't be able to use it at anything faster than 1/200s..... sometimes a pain when you want to shoot in bright sunlight with a wide aperture to be able to blur the background. That's the only real issue I've found (well was aware of before ordering). I use mine with my photo booth so they are wireless basically all the time and fire just great!
 
I've got a TT520 speedlite & a pair of 603 yongnuo triggers and costs about £50.00 for the lot but it only fires in manual dead easy to use when you want to use off camera just use the triggers
 
YN 565 ex worth noting...

https://thephotogadget.com/

I have just had to return mine that is only six weeks odd old and little used. No quibble from the supplier so that was good but I just hope The replacement is okay long term.
 
I can't say thank you for the advice enough! I'm tempted to go for the Yongnuo yn-565, all I need to do now is get more time to play!
 
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