Flash Units - Non Canon

[oscaristheone]

Hi - I have a Canon 500D and want to get a flash unit. I ususally buy Canon gear but recently bought a wireless remote from China which was a quarter of Canon price and works really well. is there a problem with a cheap wireless flash and slave unit for 30.00!! from China......does it overheat, not work etc etc..anyone know?

[bizzum]

Which one did you buy?

[focus.pocus]

I'd like to know this too. Where I live Canon products are hard to find. We have a lot of SUN PAK flash products here. Anyone know if they are worthy?

[gonzogolf]

If you are going to use it on a modern digital camera you want one that supports ettl. So put that on the top of your shopping list. I cant imagine any 30 (dollar or pound) unit doing that. There are non oem brands that work however. Lots of threads here on them.

[Austin.Manny]

@focus.pocus

I have a Canon 430EXII and a Sunpak 383 and use them both.
The Sunpak lacks ETTL, but still has auto-thrystor mode if you must but I just use it on Manual anyway. Nice Full power to 1/16 power. Fast recycle; does better on batteries too. For example, had a pretty worn out pair of batteries and in the 430EXii the ready light wouldn't even come on; popped them in the Sunpak and within a few seconds it was ready to go. Cheap too; new they are a little under $100, bought mine used with optical slave for $50.

I'd rather have 2 Sunpak 383's than one 430EXii to tell the truth. :D

[Leonid Photography]

i Dont really have the money for a canon flash but I got a ebay one YN462 with some wireless triggers and it works like a charm. Recharge rate is not too bad and have never had a missfire with it. Does not heat up and comes with a built in diffuser and bounce card.

[oscaristheone]

i Dont really have the money for a canon flash but I got a ebay one YN462 with some wireless triggers and it works like a charm. Recharge rate is not too bad and have never had a missfire with it. Does not heat up and comes with a built in diffuser and bounce card.

Hi - was this one from China? how does it work when you use say AV mode? and not manual - do you have to set it to ETTL in your Canon cameras?

[Leonid Photography]

It still works but I have not played with it too much in other modes except manual. I use Manual all the time. This flash does not have ETTL capabilities.