Which Flash For Me

First post here so go easy.

I've just recently purchased my DSLR (60D) and I have found when using the inbuilt flash close to ground level I'm getting a shadow from the lens. I figure this could probably be solved by using an aftermarket flash.

I've read a load of posts on here and have been googling what all these acronyms mean to try make sense of what I'm reading.

My skills are fairly limited so I don't think I need to go all out on the Canon 600, I'm also not really worried about cost (within reason so up to AU$500 I guess). I'm a bit of a brand whore so I was planning on sticking with Canon and thought the 430 EX II was a good option for me.

I've also come across the YongNuo range whilst reading post on here and thought maybe I should get there top dog 568EX, the only thing holding me back on this is the brand whore thing!

So I guess my questions to all you expert flashers is he YongNuo 568EX inferior to the Canon 430 EXII in any way? Is there any reason to get the Canon over the YongNuo? What would Brian Boitano do?

The YongNuo range of flashes are highly regarded and there is a good thread discussing the 568EX here: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1220090

You certainly don't need the Canon 600 flashes as a starter, the 430EXII would serve you very well as would a YongNuo.

Here is a useful comparison site: http://speedlights.net​/compare-speedlight-specs/

I had to Google Brian Boitano...never heard of him or that reference!

Thank Mike. After reading that thread and I think I'm going to jump on the Yongnuo bandwagon. I'm not usually one to support Chinese knock offs but it seems to be the superior product at 2/3 the price of the 430.

The other website you linked is a good one though it's a shame they haven't updated with the new models now available.

IMO, nothing wrong with being a brand whore if you're honest about it

I have 5 YN flashes (all manual only) and have never had any issues.

El Pedro wrote in post #15111675
First post here so go easy.

I've just recently purchased my DSLR (60D) and I have found when using the inbuilt flash close to ground level I'm getting a shadow from the lens. I figure this could probably be solved by using an aftermarket flash.

I've read a load of posts on here and have been googling what all these acronyms mean to try make sense of what I'm reading.

My skills are fairly limited so I don't think I need to go all out on the Canon 600, I'm also not really worried about cost (within reason so up to AU$500 I guess). I'm a bit of a brand whore so I was planning on sticking with Canon and thought the 430 EX II was a good option for me.

I've also come across the YongNuo range whilst reading post on here and thought maybe I should get there top dog 568EX, the only thing holding me back on this is the brand whore thing!

So I guess my questions to all you expert flashers is he YongNuo 568EX inferior to the Canon 430 EXII in any way? Is there any reason to get the Canon over the YongNuo? What would Brian Boitano do?

I've been using Yongnuo flashes (YN465, (2) YN460) for over three years, they work great. All depends on the features and your budget
http://speedlights.net

I actually bought a Yongnuo YN560-II Speedlight for my Nikon D90 (trying to keep costs down for that camera) and I'm quite impressed by it. While I don't see any ETTL (or the Nikon equivalent) functions for it, it's still better than the popup flash. It looks much like the Canon 580EXII flash I have. I only paid $50 for the Yongnuo.

which ever one you get, the first thing you should do when you mount it is NOT point it at your subject if you can avoid it. point it at the ceiling, and nearby neutral color wall, etc. It will give you a much better effect. Experiment between straight on and bounce flash so you can see the difference. Often (not always) straight on flash can be very in flattering, especially in the auto camera modes.

If you don't want Chinese knock off you can go for a german knock off with a Metz brand equivalent of the Canon.

CameraMan wrote in post #15118042
I actually bought a Yongnuo YN560-II Speedlight for my Nikon D90 (trying to keep costs down for that camera) and I'm quite impressed by it. While I don't see any ETTL (or the Nikon equivalent) functions for it, it's still better than the popup flash. It looks much like the Canon 580EXII flash I have. I only paid $50 for the Yongnuo.

560 is all manual. the 565 has ettl for more $$.

There seems to be only one Yongnau flash that is high spreed sync (HSS) capable.

I would not purchase any flash that was not HSS capable because I shoot outdoor fill flash very often and I don't want to be restricyed to a sync speed no faster than 1/250 second. That speed seriously impacts my use of selective depth of field because I need to shoot with a smaller f/stop at 1/250 second than I would at 1/500 or faster...

RPCrowe wrote in post #15118931
There seems to be only one Yongnau flash that is high spreed sync (HSS) capable.

I would not purchase any flash that was not HSS capable because I shoot outdoor fill flash very often and I don't want to be restricyed to a sync speed no faster than 1/250 second. That speed seriously impacts my use of selective depth of field because I need to shoot with a smaller f/stop at 1/250 second than I would at 1/500 or faster...

Yes, but can you not just use a flash trigger like the yn-622 that supports HSS?

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #15119019
Yes, but can you not just use a flash trigger like the yn-622 that supports HSS?

If the flash doesn't support HSS I'm pretty sure it won't perform HSS, even if used with a trigger that does.