Budget hot shoe flashes

Pretty much as the title states. I am a little tight on funds right now but I would really like to invest in a hot shoe flash for my 50d. I was looking at the 430 ex II but that is out of my price range right now. Does anyone have experience with an other less expensive options?

Maybe its best to save a bit longer and get a better flash? I don't have a lot of experience with non-Canon flashes, but I love the 430EXII, especially the ability to wireless remote it with my 7D.

The Yongnuo flashes are quite good for the money. They're basically Canon copies. The YN565EX is essentially identical to the Canon 580EX II without the HSS. And about 1/4 the $.

I have a LumiPro 120 which works well, although it is all manual. No ETTL. Midwest Photo sells them HERE as part of a $135 kit. It's also been great for complimentary lighting to my 430EX-II and my 580EX-II

Looks like you can buy just the 120 for $90. http://mpex.com …sh-full-mfg-warranty.html

steelhead77 wrote in post #14066971
The YN565EX is essentially identical to the Canon 580EX II without the HSS. And about 1/4 the $.

YN-565EX has slightly lower power, no high speed sync, no weather sealing, no master mode. The problem with YongNuo is that they have a very high failure rate. If you get a good one, then it could represent good value. but the internal build quality is pretty poor, so there is a problem of reliability. here are some photos of 565ex internals:

http://translate.googl​e.com …light%3D565ex%2​6page%3D18

If you want a good flash with backup forget the yongy things if it goes wriong you will have a wait, get a Metz 44 AF-1

I'd say save up and get the 430EX II.

A couple of years ago I was given a cheap Sunpak (I think it's a PF30x, but not positive - I don't have it nearby to look at.) The person who gave it to me picked it up on sale at Best Buy for $50. I don't use flash often, but it has worked well for me the times I have used it. Cycle time is long, it goes through battaries (AA's) quickly, and I'm sure there are other drawbacks compared to a good Canon flash, but for my purpose it has been fine.

BTW, I was using a Rebel XT when I first got it, but when I later got a 50d, the flash wouldn't work. I sent it Sunpak, they updated it for free and returned it within a week.

I also use Sunpak in fact I STILL have the one I bought for my Nikon F in perfect working order and is now on my Nikkormat I bought three months ago, Sunpak are well respected flashguns I use a PZ42X on the Nikon

30 plus years and still PERFECT

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Thanks the options. I will look into all of them.

I've been using the Yongnuo flashes for over three years, great value

To those who say save up for the 430EXii, why not a NISSIN Di866ii? Its a similar price as the 430EXii (a tad cheaper actually) has all the features of the 430EXii but its more powerful than a 580EXii.. I have heard that the Di866ii has one of the highest Guide numbers from all the consumer flashes.

watt100 wrote in post #14067934
I've been using the Yongnuo flashes for over three years, great value

I understand the quality is not going to be top notch but how do they hold up? Are they pretty reliable?

Roush611 wrote in post #14068344
I understand the quality is not going to be top notch but how do they hold up? Are they pretty reliable?

never had an issue with my YN468, had it for well over a year now. then again i do not fire it for every shot. just be carefull with the battery door you can break if you are not paying attention on how the battery compartment door closes. most of them are sold on e-bay coming from hong kong or china. try to get one from the states if you live in the USA in case you have a warrenty issue. use rechargeable batteries i like enloop myself. im just an amauter photographer and wanted a flash unit that was inexpensive to learn flash.

Roush611 wrote in post #14068344
I understand the quality is not going to be top notch but how do they hold up? Are they pretty reliable?

My two Yongnuo flashes (YN-465 and YN460) have been reliable, been using them for three years. Be sure to check features and model compatibility, yongnuo (ETTL) flashes only work on some Canon models