I’m new to flash...

...any suggestions on what I should be invest in to start? (6D/primes)

Photo gear purchases are not investments, in most cases. Buy real estate instead

Come on, can you provide more details on what you are planning to use the flash for?

Maybe rent a strobe or go to a studio and talk to the owner. Read, study, YouTube. Buy used. Lots of options.

Too me, anything photography is an investment. I want to get into flash so I can be in control of the light. Whenever, wherever.

Thank you for the info. I appreciate it.

Get one flash at first. You can get a stand for it, transmitter/receiver (or hot shoe to pc cord). Experiment with placement and modifiers (you can build some). You can also place reflectors for secondary bounce lighting. Zack Arias is a good photographer to get insight on one light setups. Only when you’ve mastered 1 light, think about adding a second

Thanks for the reply! All great points, will try for sure.

So the current Kool-Aid that most of us are guzzling is Godox aka Flahspoint R2 from Adorama.

I'd look at the TTL R2 with lithium ion battery for starters;
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzl2ca.html

It is pretty much all the speedlite anyone could possible need in a single on camera flash.

But what makes it so addictive vs. the rest of the pack is that Godox is constantly evolving it's entire lighting package and have been the trend setter in getting everything to work together as part of a large (huge in this case) comprehensive system.


http://flashhavoc.com/​godox-flash-system-overview/

With the light I link to, you can use it to control, or it it to groups of pretty much everything Godox sells from sub $100.00 manual speedlites, to $700.00+ studio strobes.

Nailed it with the Kool-Aid

The Flashpoint line offers an entry level starter option - the speedlight, suggested by Cyber here - and then room for growth.

It also offers lights which are currently unlike any other - namely the Evolv200, which on outside appearance seems to be a speedlight, but behaves like a monolight in output. Gang up two with the twin adapter and you get not only one more stop, but a modeling light also. They're pretty amazing.

The same trigger - the XPro - controls both, allowing you to remotely trigger but also adjust power. It's dead simple. It also gets you high speed sync - allowing strobe syncing up to 1/8000th shutter speed, thought with significant exposure penalty. But… as a full light to ambient, it can be awesome.

The batteries across the lighting system - the Evolv, the Streaklight TTL, the Xplor - all last about the same amount - around 500 full power discharges. In practice this means 2-3 shoots before a recharge is needed.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18541952
So the current Kool-Aid that most of us are guzzling is Godox aka Flahspoint R2 from Adorama.

I'd look at the TTL R2 with lithium ion battery for starters;
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzl2ca.html

It is pretty much all the speedlite anyone could possible need in a single on camera flash.

But what makes it so addictive vs. the rest of the pack is that Godox is constantly evolving it's entire lighting package and have been the trend setter in getting everything to work together as part of a large (huge in this case) comprehensive system.


http://flashhavoc.com/​godox-flash-system-overview/

With the light I link to, you can use it to control, or it it to groups of pretty much everything Godox sells from sub $100.00 manual speedlites, to $700.00+ studio strobes.

+1 on just starting out with a single TTL speedlight (hotshoe flash), preferably one that can swivel 360º.

There are actually five Godox X/Flashpoint R2 speedlight models:

• TT350-C ("Zoom mini"), TTL/HSS, but mini-speedlight. Only powered by 2xAA, only swivels 270º, no recycle beep, no sync or external battery ports. Good if you shoot a small mirrorless body, or need a small travel flash, but probably not your top choice. (US$85)
  
• TT600 ("Zoom Manual"), Manual only. 4xAA. (US$60)
  
• TT685-C ("Zoom TTL"), TTL/HSS, 4xAA. (US$110). My first recommendation, particularly if your budget is low.
  
• V850II ("Zoom Li-on Manual"), Manual only. li-on (US$140)
  
• V860II ("Zoom Li-on TTL"), TTL/HSS, li-on (US$180)

Get a 550EX off ebay. $50-60. Decide what else you NEED before you spend a pile of money.

Godox /Flashpoint, No doubt bout that. I considered any makes thats speedlights only deadends.
Only if your a professional photographer can you consider gear purchase an investment. If it helps you make money its a good Investment if not its a bad investment

I had Canon & Yongnuo flashes.

Now, I'm using the Flashpoint (Godox) R2 TTL Zoom Speedlites, branded Flashpoint through Adorama. They're inexpensive for what they are. I find these ones to be well made. The Lithium Ion version of the R2 TTL is excellent, I paid the extra to go this way because the battery is excellent, tons and tons of shots on a single charge, fast recharge, good recycle time, and easy to manage off-camera with a transmitter (The R2 communication system is so easy and handles everything). They go on sale now and then, well worth it for the Li-On version for me, as I flash a lot. I went with the Flashpoint through Adorama so that I have warranty & support here in the States, rather than attempting to bother with anything overseas.

I also picked up the Zoom Mini (TT350) to compliment it for off-camera support, it's tiny, but still does ETTL/HSS and I'm so pleased with it that I got another. They go on sale now and then too.

If you ever add strobes, the R2 communication system will talk with the speedlites, strobes, etc, even if some are in ETTL and some are in Manual, etc. That's the beauty of R2.

I tasted the Kool-Aid, it's good stuff.

Very best,

I second this.

Bassat wrote in post #18542040
Get a 550EX off ebay. $50-60. Decide what else you NEED before you spend a pile of money.

Check out the Strobist website for more info and to learn how to use it.
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html