Best value for money 3rd party ETTL flash?

Love both my 565 and 568. no worries on the 565 as you won't get a flash new that has a bad board, and it is like a rock now, and my 568 is sweet also, though I only got it instead of another 565 for the HSS function, and find myself not using it, so I would have been just as happy with another 565, both are the same power, and do nice ettl, just sweet flashes, both of them, in my opinion.

I played with my 430ex last night, shooting off camera some small objects. Even at 1/64, my subject was way over exposed (iso 100, 1/250s, some narrow aperture). I had to put the flash more than a meter away to get something reasonable.

If I want to shoot close up / macro, I will need a speedlight that can be powered down as much as possible. I don't think the Nissin di622 ii is an option anymore.

Will probably end up getting a YN, either 565ex or 568ex. I read through the whole 568ex thread. Seems like a good flash: no one had problem with it so far, besides the non x-sync hss bug which has already been fixed. Still a bit new, will probably get whichever is being sold where I shop.

To 565ex owners: where can you see the manufacture date sticker? Is it placed on the same spot as the 568ex?

cedm wrote in post #15379555
To 565ex owners: where can you see the manufacture date sticker? Is it placed on the same spot as the 568ex?

The date code on both is under the flash head. It's a rectangular white sticker. Just swivel the head to the side and the sticker will be visible.

Thanks