best none canon flash for beginner?

looking for some insight from some of you with more experience. i would like to keep things cheap. i dont think the price of a 430exII is too bad but if i could get 2 cheap flashes for that price id be happier. i already have a sb 600 with wirelees trans/reciever. is the yn 468 a good flash? or what are your thoughts? thanks for helping!!

How are you going to be using it? If its on camera for event work then get the 430exII for its ETTL usefulness on the camera. If you want to go with a multilight setup in manual then pick up one (or two) of the YN flashes on ebay. There are several models to chose from based on the features you want.

The Sigma flashes are compatible with Canon's IR E-TTL system. I use my EF-500 DG Super as my 3rd slave flash (with two 580EX IIs) for triggering with the ST-E2.

it would be OCF and i would think 2 flashes would be a good starting point. it seems like the YN flashes get mentioned alot on this forum.

jerr6 wrote in post #12291187
it would be OCF and i would think 2 flashes would be a good starting point. it seems like the YN flashes get mentioned alot on this forum.

They are a good value and considering that manual off camera flash doesnt require any sophisticated communication with the camera they are very affordable. Look at the YN465, it seems like a good value.

jerr6 wrote in post #12291016
looking for some insight from some of you with more experience. i would like to keep things cheap. i dont think the price of a 430exII is too bad but if i could get 2 cheap flashes for that price id be happier. i already have a sb 600 with wirelees trans/reciever. is the yn 468 a good flash? or what are your thoughts? thanks for helping!!

The Yongnuo YN 468 is good, the YN 465 is cheaper but still has ETTL and manual controls

thanks !

I started with 2 Vivitar 285Hv's great units .

I just picked up the YN-468. Seems sturdy and nice (?) but I haven't shot extensively with it.

I liked the Vivitar 285HV's too. For $85 new, it's a brilliant way to get into OCF, as well as understand what you're doing, because they're full manual. Other flashes that are more flexible and capable would be the Lumopro 160's. $160 each. Certainly worth a look.

anlenke wrote in post #12292590
I liked the Vivitar 285HV's too. For $85 new, it's a brilliant way to get into OCF, as well as understand what you're doing, because they're full manual. Other flashes that are more flexible and capable would be the Lumopro 160's. $160 each. Certainly worth a look.

I have a couple of 285's and while they are great, the advances in electronic controls and battery efficiency in the newer design flashes make them a lesser option, especially since the vivitar costs more, and provides less in the way of controls.

The YongNuo flashes are pretty nice and cheap but they only have a GN of 33 for models like the 468:

If you want a higher GN (guide number / power) you will want to look at the yn 560 (there is also a 565 that is supposed to be coming out that will have ettl ability as well but not everyone is carrying it just yet.)

The YN-468 goes for right about 100.00 on most sites, here is a link to amazon:
http://www.amazon.com …9&creativeASIN=​B003LB0DAM
They have a few options for getting it plus they are a pretty secure way to buy IMO.

the YN-560 which has a heck of a lot more power is here:
http://www.amazon.com …9&creativeASIN=​B004GZLFHM
It's cheaper at only 70.00 but it doesn't have ettl, so you will only be able to manual. If you are using it for off camera flash, then by all means, tear it up, it's a great flash, I was recently using one that a friend had bought and he loves it. I loved how easy it was to get this sucker to working and controls were easy to work with. I want to get one for myself to keep for that extra power when needed.

I have a Canon 430ex II and I find that the power is a bit low for my purposes but then again for a flash like the 468 that is that cheap you can't really go wrong with it... It's cheap, gets the job done and will keep you happy for a long time. also later if you want to go crazy with flashes you can always use the 468 for fill light or separation light, whatever you want to use it for you can and it'll always be that great cheaper flash that you got for next to nothing that still performs.

I have an older YN flash that I use only in manual mode and it's always worked great for me. It continues to perform and hasn't given up the ghost on me yet. Even if it does, I wont really care because I've had it for a couple years now and truly beat the hell out of it.... I don't often beat up my gear but this unit has been through some mess. Most likely because it's cheap, i'm not too worried about it getting scratched up like I am with all my other gear.

I have a 430EX II, but I also picked up a couple of the YN 460s. They go for about $45each on Amazon (and probably elsewhere). These are really good flashes, if you don't mind working manual. I also picked up some Cactus v5 triggers for them all.

the yn 560 or 460s seems like its the way to go. thanks for the links.

jerr6 wrote in post #12292855
the yn 560 or 460s seems like its the way to go. thanks for the links.

Personally I would go for the higher power 560, it's going to give you that higher flexibility due to the fact that you will have all that extra available light. If you want manual then yeah that's the way to go.

It's not often that you need low power light but it rather often that you will need higher power. I run into this a lot.