Which Flashgun unit?

snips86x

snips86x

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I'm looking for a flash which supports E-TTL II and I've found an EX580 MK i going for £140, but ideally looking to spend less.

What other flash guns would you recommend? It's going to be used for indoor photography, portrait & weddings.
 
If you are going to use the flash for portraits and weddings which will potentially venture outside (certainly the latter will) I would consider a flash gun that supports High Speed Sync (HSS).
The flash gun above is good bang for buck but it lacks HSS which can be make or break in some situations.
 
stupar said:
If you are going to use the flash for portraits and weddings which will potentially venture outside (certainly the latter will) I would consider a flash gun that supports High Speed Sync (HSS).
The flash gun above is good bang for buck but it lacks HSS which can be make or break in some situations.
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Thanks for that! Which flashgun from the YN range would you recommend?
 
The YN568 mk1&2 support HSS
The mk2 can be had for a smidge over £100 if you search around.
 
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stupar said:
The YN568 mk1&2 support HSS
The mk1 can be had for a smidge over £100 if you search around.
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Thanks again for your help, found the MK ii for £110 on Amazon, so I think I'll grab that one with a set of diffusers.
 
what benefit does HSS bring to photographing wedding and portraits? Would I benefit from it?
 
snips86x said:
what benefit does HSS bring to photographing wedding and portraits? Would I benefit from it?
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Example:
You're doing some outdoor shots which you want to shoot wide open (say f2.8 )
It is sunny with some harsh shadows so you want to fill/soften the shadows in your shot using flash.
Your camera gives you a shutter reading of say 1/2000.
That shutter speed is beyond canons standard flash sync speed of (1/200 or 1/250 (body dependant).
The only way to shoot flash at anything above sync speed is with HSS
 
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stupar said:
Example:
You're doing some outdoor shots which you want to shoot wide open (say f2.8 )
It is sunny with some harsh shadows so you want to fill/soften the shadows in your shot using flash.
Your camera gives you a shutter reading of say 1/2000.
That shutter speed is beyond canons standard flash sync speed of (1/200 or 1/250 (body dependant).
The only way to shoot flash at anything above sync speed is with HSS
Click to expand...

Ahh ok - that gives me something to think about. I've never really used my old flash in that respect, so not sure I'd use it....
 
Or you have yet to be in a situation where you would need it.
It may be possible to shoot outdoors and circumvent the shutter being beyond the sync speed.
From my point of view though i would rather have HSS and not use it than not have it and need it
 
Fair point! I may just have to go with it, better to have it than not and need it as you mentions. Thanks for your help!
 
snips86x said:
Fair point! I may just have to go with it, better to have it than not and need it as you mentions. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

If you want to use fill-in flash for outdoor portraits - one of the most common and effective applications - you will need HSS.

Position your subject/s back to the sun so they're back-lit. Looks great, but faces will be in shadow so brighten them up with a dash of fill-in. This is really easy with E-TTL in Av mode, and also easy to adjust the flash/ambient ratio to taste. On a typical sunny day though, the shutter speed will naturally rise above the normal x-sync ceiling, so without HSS you're stuck. With HSS enabled, the whole process is automated and the camera will switch itself in and out of HSS mode when required.

Just be aware that HSS is inherently wasteful of flash light, with the result that the gun has to work hard. Recycle times are increased and shooting distance substantially reduced. Fine for solo portraits, couples and small groups where distances aren't too long.
 
gary996 said:
Also look at the Godox v850 and v860
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Yeah they are worth a look.
Remember though that the 850 version is a full manual gun (no TTL), not ideal in a fast paced environment (like a wedding) especially if you are unsure what power you need relative to your settings and it only supports high speed sync when off camera and using a transmitter.

Best to look at the 860 which is the TTL version with HSS.
 
Thanks for all your recommendations.

I've decided to go with the YN-568 EXC ii which arrived yesterday and I can say is a stunning flash gun, well worth the money!! Just need to get the wireless receivers now.

The Godox v850 looks like a very superb unit, especially with the rechargeable battery pack, this may end up being an addition to my current one.
 
Interesting thread.

Ive strarting using my flash for macro work lately, and its only a Jessops 360AFD.

Ive been thinking about getting an SB600, but I have heard lots about these Yongnuo.

Which would be better for me ?
 
Do you need ttl? If you do try and go for Sb800 or 700 over the 600.

The yn range is quite good, I have the yn560 iii which does not have ttl but works well with the yn603 triggers.

There is a yn 568 or is it 565 which is ttl.
 
I have the YN-568EX ii which has E-TTL & HSS and from the 2 days using it briefly, its stunning!!
 
Hertsman said:
Kev, yes I would like ittl.
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Depending on your budget get a new yn as above with ttl or save up a bit and get the Sb800 used or even a Sb700 as opposed to the sb600.
 
sep9001 said:
Depending on your budget get a new yn as above with ttl or save up a bit and get the Sb800 used or even a Sb700 as opposed to the sb600.
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What's the main differences and what am I gaining by spending more?
 
Hertsman said:
What's the main differences and what am I gaining by spending more?
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I can only give the details around the YN speedlite I have, but as a quick overview it has:
  • E-TTL II
  • HSS
  • Flash Zoom 24-105mm
  • Master/Slave Sync
  • Up to 4 groupings with multiple units I believe
I've not had time to extensively play & test, but from the settings I've seen, the about it what I've worked out so far.
 
Hi, you could have at the PixaPro 580e speedlight: http://www.essentialphoto.co.uk/product/pixapro-t580e-speedlite-canon-only/ its recently been reduced to £107. Iv been using this light for a couple of months now and its very good! it has quick recycle times, and is ETTL compatible. They have recently released a Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) rechargeable battery version but that's probably not in your price range.
 
I've got two sb900's and was looking to get another unit. I'll probably get a yongnuo as at the price point, they are very hard to better.
 
Sir SR said:
I've got two sb900's and was looking to get another unit. I'll probably get a yongnuo as at the price point, they are very hard to better.
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You're spoilt for power with those SB900s, punchiest speedlites I've tested. YNs will be at least half a stop less bright, could be as much as one stop depending on model.
 
HoppyUK said:
You're spoilt for power with those SB900s, punchiest speedlites I've tested. YNs will be at least half a stop less bright, could be as much as one stop depending on model.
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Agreed, but as the third light won't be the workhorse it should be ok (I hope). The sb900's are great but for the money a 568 should suffice! I previously had 2 Nissin di6122 II's. They were good but not as good as the sb900's!
 
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