New to flashes...so

As the title says, I'm new to flashes, so literally have no idea what I'm looking at, or how much I should be spending.

I've just bought a 6D and also have a 650D. I'm very slowly building up my equipment to hopefully make a small studio, and make some work out of this. I'm also going to be shooting my cousins wedding in September which I'll need a flash for. I'm also hoping to find something that is just a general flash I can leave on the 6D when needed.

Budget isn't a massive issue, but I'm not wanting to just go straight to the top of the range as this isn't a full-time job for me

So what would you guys recommend?

Thanks

Well if you are going to make a small studio strobes would be a better choice but for flexibility a speedlights will work. Many people use them with umbrellas and softboxes.

I would suggest going Canon RT since you have 6D and plan to build on that. You will have more than one flash eventually. The 600EX-RT is a very nice flash but not inexpensive. I have 3 and an ST-E3-RT. Love em.

Next up is the Yongnuo line of flashes which are popluar. Full ETTL for a good price and there trigger systems are quite cheap. I don't know the latest releases but many people do.

Another very popular and good trigger system is the Phottix Odin which can be used with Yongnuo flashes so you don't have to worry about which flash to get to match a trigger system down the road.

Phottix just came out with a flash. Not sure about the pricing.

http://www.phottix.com​/?___store=

I wish it could be as easy as saying, "Get this ____ and you will be fine." And I am sure that you will get some replies that read just like that. I have some Canon flashes and a couple of non-Canon flashes. The Canon flashes are nice in that they were designed to work with Canon cameras and there are some times when ETTL works great for snapshot type images. I have a Canon 430 EX II and while it works great, I like additional power that my 580 EX II (no longer made) has to offer and normally don't use the 430. When you are shooting a wedding, it is nice to have all the power possible. (That power comment can be read as, 'It is easy to dial down the power, but impossible to dial it higher than the top'.) While weddings, groups, etc. can be captured with a lower powered flashes, you don't have the range that a higher power flash will provide.

If you don't buy a top of the line flash, I would suggest getting one that has slave capability built in. That way if somewhere in the future you get another flash (either higher power or the same) you will be able to fire them both without needing to purchase a slave adapter.

YN-568 + YN-622c = win. Nuff said

Before you ask about studio flash options, you need to get the on camera flash down. You are committed to shooting a wedding and you dont have a flash! There is a significant learning curve here and you need to master that first. I would suggest starting with a canon 430exII. Its a good all around flash, built well enough to stand up to heavy use.

Whatever you do get if you are inclined to learn more about on camera flash photography.

Start in the blue column on the right. 01- natural looking flash under flash photography techniques

http://neilvn.com/tang​ents/

His book is very good as well.

http://neilvn.com/tang​ents/about/book/

Flash is a whole new world. It appears this is your first wedding so there are two scenarios. Your cousin asked to shoot and they basically want a record of the event or they professional level work. Not to say you are not skilled but wedding photography is different. There is a reason why pros charge $10,000 and much more for wedding.

Either you take it to the next level or just put the camera on P mode, flash on ETTL and shoot away. Nothing wrong with that if it meets your cousins expectations. You should discuss this before the event. Did the same thing myself many years ago.

If you do decide to expand here is a good starting tip. You shoot your camera regularly already so you are exposing for ambient or existing light. When you pop your flash on nothing changes. Your camera (light meter) is still exposing for ambient light. The flash exposes your subject/s. Both have separate jobs and one does not care what the other is doing. When the flash in on and your camera is exposing for ambient now that means everything around the subject/s. You don't need to worry about the subject exposure via the camera because the flash takes care of them.

So digest that first and then take a look at Neil van Niekerk's teachings.

Here is a good site for shooting a first wedding.

http://digital-photography-school.com …eur-wedding-photographers

I'm in the same spot as you are in quite a number of ways. I have a wedding to shoot in October. I have very little knowledge of flash photography. I'm scrambling to learn everything I can in the meantime.
I bought a 600EX-RT. My reasoning was that it has a number of features that make it work well with the 6D. It seems to be a great flash, although I admittedly haven't used it much yet.
The only down side for me is that, in order to make the best use of the 600EX, the only comparably functional (e.g. radio trigger, slave / master) unit is another 600EX or the ST-E3-RT. Suddenly, making light becomes pretty expensive, in comparison with some of the other available flash options.

Matt M. wrote in post #16027641
The only down side for me is that, in order to make the best use of the 600EX, the only comparably functional (e.g. radio trigger, slave / master) unit is another 600EX or the ST-E3-RT. Suddenly, making light becomes pretty expensive, in comparison with some of the other available flash options.

And this is why I sold my canon setup (speedlites) and invested in YN. So much more bang for the buck and at the end of the day... Light is light. The modifiers are where we should be spending the money. Just my 2 cents.

Aressem wrote in post #16027701
And this is why I sold my canon setup (speedlites) and invested in YN. So much more bang for the buck and at the end of the day... Light is light. The modifiers are where we should be spending the money. Just my 2 cents.

If YN had the reputation for durability and reliability as the canon flashes it would be a consideration. I cant imagine facing a wedding with a YN flash and no backup.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16027713
If YN had the reputation for durability and reliability as the canon flashes it would be a consideration. I cant imagine facing a wedding with a YN flash and no backup.

you might want to check the wedding section here and
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/board/48

lots of photographers use Yonguo flashes (only)
Are they crazy or .....

Actually, the newer YN flashes DO have a reputation for reliability, as do their triggers. Read reviews on line carefully when choosing a YN flash and you should be ok.

Brelly, Get a set of YN-622 triggers, and pick up a lightly used 430/580exII canon flash. (or a yn flash, your choice) You don't have to master on camera flash to learn and master off camera flash.. but having triggers that can do ettl and manual will make the whole process faster. Once you play with this simple set up, you will be in a position of knowing what you want next vs guessing what you want.

A good brolly/umbrella soft box is a good first modifier to try out and learn with. Or a simple shoot thru.

Then G. A. S. will set in and you'll be in the same boat as the rest of us.

If were budget minded I would have no issue with Yongnuo's but I'd want a backup. That goes for any flash or piece of equipment

watt100 wrote in post #16027794
you might want to check the wedding section here and
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/board/48

lots of photographers use Yonguo flashes (only)
Are they crazy or .....

They might well be. Lots of photographers shoot weddings without backups. Apparently lots of photographers book weddings without even owning a flash if this thread is any indication. But YN still has a way to go to convince me.

Well, lots of different opinions in there, which is never a bad thing. Once I have more time I'll have a proper read through all of this and take some ideas and recommendations on board.

Keep throwing your ideas in anyway, I know I have a lot to learn!

Cheers guys and gals.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16027924
Apparently lots of photographers book weddings without even owning a flash if this thread is any indication.

You always manage to give me a chuckle