What a good versatile flash for a noob

Totally new to using anything but the built in flash on my 7D.

It makes for a pretty harsh light and would like to have a flash that I can swivel/move etc to bounce the light. Probably an automatic style versus manual since I know squat about flash-or maybe I should just learn:P


I would also like the flash to be able to take advantage of the 7D wireless flash to use for outside fill light or just to decrease shadows etc..


I'm unsure if I should use triggers or the on-board function in the 7d since I'm so new to all this.

Budget is a concern and I have looked at several flashes on the net made by Bolt/YONGNUO YN-560 II etc...

Any suggestions or recommendations would be awesome, thank you.

Start your research HERE.

Much more rational information that the opinions you will get here with this question.

Once you're familiar with the flashes and capabilities then members here can relate their personal experiences.

hotled wrote in post #16449489
I would also like the flash to be able to take advantage of the 7D wireless flash to use for outside fill light or just to decrease shadows etc..


I'm unsure if I should use triggers or the on-board function in the 7d since I'm so new to all this.

i don't have the ability to use the built in wireless flash feature, but i'm thinking it requires a canon flash on the other end. That would limit your choices pretty quick.

here are more specific links to the flashhavoc site

manual trigger guide:
http://flashhavoc.com/​flash-trigger-guide-manual/

ttl trigger guide:
http://flashhavoc.com/​flash-trigger-guide-ttl/


imo, ttl is great but learning on manual will provide a better foundation.

Thank you for the links and advice.
I am heavily contemplating going with a manual flash so I can learn as much as possible.

So for a budget setup I was looking at the :

Yongnuo RF-603 C3 triggers

and Yongnuo flash just unsure of which one.

The Yongnou 560III has receiver for RF-603 built into the flash which saves.

From a budgetary perspective consider that an ETTL speedlite, combined with an ETTL trigger, while a bit more expensive, offers ability to use manual as well as ETTL.

Thus you can learn both techniques and even do one and then the other in a given situation to see how they relate to your shooting style.

Yongnou ETTL speedlites vary by output, ability to do HSS, and ability to use high voltage external pack for faster recycle. They will all work with your 7D and its optical triggering, as well as, and much preferred YN-622 radio triggers.

Much more detailed information on Flash Havoc. And another option is the Phottix option that is ETTL with built in radio trigger.

hotled wrote in post #16449610
Thank you for the links and advice.
I am heavily contemplating going with a manual flash so I can learn as much as possible.

So for a budget setup I was looking at the :

Yongnuo RF-603 C3 triggers

and Yongnuo flash just unsure of which one.

I say grab a yn-565exII and a set of rf-622c's

This is somewhat of an affordable set up...<$200. It will allow you to shoot all manual, full Ettl, and control you settings from the in camera menu. You will really appreciate the latter feature. This set up will allow you to start with the basics and grow as much as you would like. Grab a book such as speedliter's handbook by Syl Arena and go though it well. You will really be off and running.

I think it is a good idea to start with all manual to get the basics. So an alternative to the above set up is one of the yn-560's and the rf-603's. You should be able to get this rig for <$100, but you will not be able to control settings through in camera menu (which is SUPER handy with off camera flash) and Ettl is nice to have from time to time. I started with this set up but have since moved to the first one I mention. I have gone round and round with HSS. I have basically given up on that feature and don't feel that I can recommend someone who is starting out to spend the $ on a flash with HSS. Hope this helps.

You can also check out these sites for endless info on technique.

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html and
http://neilvn.com …h-photography-techniques/

I would go with a Yongnuo 568EX II, a quite versatile flash. It is not too expensive and a good start to figure out, TTL, manual and remote techniques. First you could use the 7d built in flash as a remote trigger, later maybe purchase a 603 radio trigger. I got my flashes and triggers from Grace from thephotogadget.com. She offers quite a good service and low prices.

hotled wrote in post #16449610
I am heavily contemplating going with a manual flash so I can learn as much as possible.

So for a budget setup I was looking at the :

Yongnuo RF-603 C3 triggers

and Yongnuo flash just unsure of which one.

Get an ETTL flash!
they have manual settings and for events like parties, weddings, family gatherings, etc. ETTL is valuable

For your first and only flash, I would suggest something with ETTL. Yes, you can use it in manual mode when you want to, but for run-n-gun on-camera flash, ETTL is generally what you want.

The 430EXII, or one of Yongnuo's similar offerings like the YN-565EX or the YN-568EXII.

It seems this topic comes up pretty regularly. I have a YN 565EXII and a pair of YN 622c triggers. The combo will meet your needs pretty easily and for the price, you get ETTL and manual pretty cheap. If you ever decided at a later date to go HSS, you can get a YN 568 and the 622's already handle HSS, so you can just add when you need too.

hotled wrote in post #16449489
I would also like the flash to be able to take advantage of the 7D wireless flash to use for outside fill light or just to decrease shadows etc..

Then you'll need an E-TTL flash with slave capability. For outside fill, you'll likely want HSS for large apertures (out of focus backgrounds) as shutter speeds will be above normal sync speed. Outdoors in bright light, the 7D's popup may not be up to the task of controlling a slave and it is limited to sync speed. It won't do HSS.

Indoors, the 7D's popup wireless control will be adequate. Outdoors, iffy, and again, you can't use high speed sync even if the remote flash is HSS compatible. The YN-622C triggers already mentioned would be the least expensive option for doing what you propose.

Thank you for all the replies and advice. So it looks like the consensus is that YN 565EXII and a pair of YN 622c triggers would work well for what I want.

The triggers are right around $75.00-$80.00
The flash is proving difficult to find most are listed at 565ex and not 565exii.
If found they run about $180.00?

This is the flash I bought. It is great.

http://www.amazon.com …o02_s00_i00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

I think I recommended the "II" cause I recently tried out the 568exII for the HSS capabilities. I was prob. confused. Bottom line is that I suggest the flash above and the yn-622's. If you keep your eyes peeled the 622's pop up in the FS section every so often for about $65.

hotled wrote in post #16453474
The flash is proving difficult to find most are listed at 565ex and not 565exii.

Well thats because there is no 565ex II. There is a 568ex II but not a 565ex II ;P

If you want the 565ex then you can get it as low as $101 right now off of amazon (and that is full filled by amazon!!!)......Hell at that price I might grab a couple, especially with free shipping!! (vvvv link below vvvv)

http://www.amazon.com …-1&keywords=yongnuo+565​ex

The 568ex and 568ex II will both be about $180.

The difference between the 565 and 5658 are small. The 565ex has a battery port but can not do HSS, and the head does not swivel 360 degrees. The 568ex can do HSS and has a head that swivels 360 degrees but does not have a battery port. The 568ex II is the same as the 568ex but also has a commander function built in (not needed if you are got to use yn622's and don't need a flash on camera.

I do suggest that if you order from amazon make sure you order from a place that is "full filled by amazon". That way at least you know its shipping from some place in the US and if you do need to return it you are doing so through amazon and not a company out of china (though thephotogadget.com does have great CS...shipping fees and wait times suck!)

EDIT: seems idsurfer already posted the link to the 565ex

I use the 430 EXII speedlite with my 7D and it works great in off camera mode so the pop-up flash only emits enough like to trigger the speedlite.

Learning flash is not difficult, just get one and practice, like most anything else.