Need help - bamboozled by flash!

I've decided it's time to enter the world of flash and would like to put together a small flash kit to help with filling in shadows while shooting outdoors..and maybe even getting creative with portraits indoors.

Im shooting primarily with a t3i/600D but will be upgrading soon to a 5DIII

My budget is around$250-300 for starters and I'm hoping to pick up 1 flash and radio trigger with that cash if possible. After reading online, I found that 'Yongnuo' is probably the brand I'll be buying for cost reasons. Also, how hard will it be to add more flashes to my kit in the future?

Regarding ttl, Ettl i-ttl - What is the most well versed of the 3? Are there any particular yongnuo models that have the ability to automatically calculate the amount of light output needed to fill shadows?

There is SO much to learn about flash I don't know where to start! Any bed time reading material would be greatly appreciated!

Damien

Assuming you have canon its ETTL that you want. ITTL is nikon and ttl is just a shorthand for all through the lens metering systems. GIven your budget you will want a pair of the YN 622c triggers roughly $80 US, and whichever of the YN models that does ETTL. As for the ability to automatically fill shadows, thats what ETTL does (or is supposed to do anyway), so pick the model with the best feature set you are comfortable with.

Yongnuo is a decent brand. The YN-565 or YN-568 are probably what you want, and the YN-622 triggers.

Most of the time, ETTL will help the camera & flash determine how much light you need to make a pretty-good flash picture.

However, once you start getting into some more advanced or creative picture types, ETTL won't work as well. For instance, if the subject is backlit by the evening sun, or stage lights, then ETTL might not work like you want it to.

Besides TTL being shorthand it's purpose is for Canon film cameras as you can set it to TTL. ETTL is for digital. When the Canon 580 EXII came out some of the foot clamps were a little sloppy and a lose contact could result in the flash switching from ETTL to TTL and causing exposure issues. It seems it was just too much variation in production that led to the sloppy clamping. There is a procedure to adjust it and Canon did come out with a retro foot with more pointy contact pins for about $50. I have not heard about any issues with the YN or the new Canon 600 RT.

When I read other forums and Nikon owners comment they often call it TTL, not ITTL so sometimes you have to ask which system they were taking about if it is not obvious.

YN makes a good product. How much of a hurry are you in? YN has just come out with the YN-ST-E3 which is compatible with Canon cameras and Canon's 600 RT.

It is on the left. They are going for about $130. YN should be coming out with an RT flash very soon (on the right). Both might be over your budget by around $60 - 80. I just based the flash at about $250 but people expect to be less I think. You get built in RT so you are future proofed for that type of system and if you decide to get more flashes the YN system (same as Canon) offers some very cool features. Group mode is awesome (I'm using the Canon RT system).

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1332862

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1348512

However gonzogolf's suggestion is very sound if you can't go over $300.

Good Luck.

Damien, you may also consider foregoing ETTL flash for now and get a manual flash like the YongNuo YN-560 III and RF-603 IIs for about $110 combined. You can learn flash photography on these and then buy the upcoming YN flashes with built in RF receivers when they become available.

My persoanl suggestion for a first flash is to get one that can do both ETTL and manual. Then learn both!

With your budget I'd suggest a yn565ex and a set of yn622c triggers. That should leave you enough money left over to get a light stand, umbrella, and umbrella bracket.

neimad19 wrote in post #16605264
There is SO much to learn about flash I don't know where to start! Any bed time reading material would be greatly appreciated!

Damien

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …g-101-start-here.html?m=1

http://neilvn.com/tang​ents/

frugivore wrote in post #16605541
Damien, you may also consider foregoing ETTL flash for now and get a manual flash like the YongNuo YN-560 III and RF-603 IIs for about $110 combined. You can learn flash photography on these and then buy the upcoming YN flashes with built in RF receivers when they become available.

This is what I have and I have had no issues whatsoever. I'd recommend these to anyone.

I'll second the notion that your first flash ought to be ETTL capable. Learning manual flash is a necessary skill, but ETTL is so very useful for event work and general use. Anyone with a DSLR will occasionally find themselves at a birthday party, wedding reception, or some such family event where ETTL is invaluable.

Thanks for everyones help! I feel much more confident about making a purchase now.

gremlin75 wrote in post #16606218
My persoanl suggestion for a first flash is to get one that can do both ETTL and manual. Then learn both!

With your budget I'd suggest a yn565ex and a set of yn622c triggers. That should leave you enough money left over to get a light stand, umbrella, and umbrella bracket.

I think this is the setup I'll get for now. I'd like to have the flexibility of ETTL and manual. Do you know how hard it would be to add more flashes in the future to this setup?

digital paradise wrote in post #16605402
YN makes a good product. How much of a hurry are you in? YN has just come out with the YN-ST-E3 which is compatible with Canon cameras and Canon's 600 RT.

It is on the left. They are going for about $130. YN should be coming out with an RT flash very soon (on the right). Both might be over your budget by around $60 - 80. I just based the flash at about $250 but people expect to be less I think. You get built in RT so you are future proofed for that type of system and if you decide to get more flashes the YN system (same as Canon) offers some very cool features. Group mode is awesome (I'm using the Canon RT system).

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1332862

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1348512

However gonzogolf's suggestion is very sound if you can't go over $300.

Good Luck.

Will definitely look into this option! It does sound like a solid future proof way to go but right now money is my main problem. Thanks for the info!

neimad19 wrote in post #16607591
Do you know how hard it would be to add more flashes in the future to this setup?

How hard? It will be as easy as clicking "add to cart" on some flashes and triggers

If you're concerned about the 622c being discontinued in the near future then all I can say is 'I wouldn't be'. Will it eventually be discontinued? Probably. But right now it is the cheapest ETTL radio trigger around and I have no doubt yongnuo is not looking to get rid of it to quickly. They're even supposed to be releasing a 622 transmitter (right now unites or both transmitters and receivers) that won't rely on camera menus to change settings.

If you get the YN-622 now, it will play real nice with future purchases of YN-560III for your second and third flashes. Those have a receiver built in.

neimad19 wrote in post #16607591
Thanks for everyones help! I feel much more confident about making a purchase now.

I think this is the setup I'll get for now. I'd like to have the flexibility of ETTL and manual. Do you know how hard it would be to add more flashes in the future to this setup?

That is a wise choice.

nathancarter wrote in post #16608163
If you get the YN-622 now, it will play real nice with future purchases of YN-560III for your second and third flashes. Those have a receiver built in.

The built in receiver on the 560III won't accept commands from a 622C. You'd still have to stick a 622 under a 560III. The built-in receiver on those is 602/603 compatible.

Thanks for the clarification.