Please help me buy my first hotshoe flash

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Mike1980

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Mike
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Hi all.

I'm a frequent reader but rare-poster here. I don't have much to contribute (yet) but a lot to learn :)


I'm looking for a hotshoe flash for my 500D. It'll be mostly for portrait shots and 'gigs' - darker music venues etc. Perhaps some landscapes too.

2nd hand is good as I'm on a budget.

Although I've read a good amount here, including the excellent stickies, but am still feeling a little lost.

I like to mess around with settings so good manual control over the flash is important. I learn by fiddling, but a flash that works well on auto is necessary. I'm still learning so much that I can't concentrate on flash settings as well as composition, F stops, exposure etc... my brain'll pop.

Cycle times are less important than power.

Budget. ~60 pounds. Could stretch to 70 but would prefer to spend less.


If I can spend less then I can get a cable for messing around with off-camera flashes and macro.


Thanks in advance



Mike
 
Im no expert but I think you will have had it on a budget that low. I managed to pick up a good condition 2nd hand canon 580EX for £250 and I thought that was a bargain. Especially as it came with the spirally off shoe ETTL cord and they are £50 alone on amazon.
I think you're going to have to save your pennies a bit longer even to get a Yongnuo or Nissin flash. And I would think then you're looking £100 plus. something like this maybe.
 
On that sort of budget I'd recommend looking on eBay for a Jessops 360AFD. This is a budget TTL (auto) flash which does pretty much everything you can ask for. It was my first flash and for the price even when new (£80) it was excellent value for money. The only downside I can think of is that it takes about 6-7 seconds to recharge from a full power flash whereas my Metz takes just under 4. But then at the prices they are now it's a real nitpick.
 
I Jessop AFD 360 is within your budget and well worth the money.

It will do everything you want it too till you can afford something better
 
Check out the yongnuo range! Excellent value for money and within your budget
 
Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm going to have to forget the TTL flashes. Like the look of the Yongnuo 560... I'll just have to understand the settings pretty quickly :)

Either that or go for a 565.


Thanks for the replies
 
Just one more question.

Would you go for the manual Yongnuo 560 or the Yongnuo YN468II E-TTL.

I do like the idea of E-TTL. Although my camera's mine, my wife does like to use it sometimes on full auto mode. I'd also like auto mode for when there's lots more to concentrate on.



Thanks
 
I've just bought 2 Yongnuo YN468II and the 560! They are for my strobist setup but I wanted the Yongnuo YN468II for those times I will use the flash on camera
 
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