To TTL or not?

Hi all, I've never ventured in your section before as I am really not into flash photography. But lately I've been getting into macro and I believe a flash would be a great addition.

Even tho I've been here a number of years. I still haven't leaned much about photography.
I'm most comfortable in AV mode but because of doing macro. I'm starting to try out manual but not very proficient with it yet.

I found a local store that carries the Yongnuo YN-560III (Manual) and YN-565EX (TTL). So with my background, which one should I get? It's a $70 question.

Thanks in advance

EDIT: I guess my main reasoning is that if I go manual. It will force me to learn to shoot more on manual mode. Whereas if I go TTL everything is done for me.

TTL is best used for distance to subject that changes or you need a fast shot.

Manual is best used when the distance to subject is static, such as in a studio.

You should learn how to shoot manually and using TTL. Both have their advantages and uses.

I would get the version with TTL. It's cheaper to pay for TTL now than buy another new flash later just for that feature. ($76 vs. $110)

You will find that flash photography opens a whole lot more and has an initial learning curve, just like learning photography. There is a lot to learn and master.

^makes sense.

I was just reading some articles on the net. And the conclusion I came up with was that even the most experience people do not use TTL. You have convinced me about variable distances and future readyness.

Thanks

Canajun wrote in post #16638143
I was just reading some articles on the net. And the conclusion I came up with was that even the most experience people do not use TTL.

I don't know what articles you were reading but stop reading them. There are a lot of photographers that use ETTL when it's needed.....some that even use it when, I think, manual would be the better option.

As you dive deeper down the photographic rabbit hole you'll find that flash is an amazing tool and having a flash that can do ETTL and manual (the yn565ex) is like two tools in one. They each have their place, they each have their own learning curve, and its best to learn how to use both.

I beleive that anyone looking to get a first flash should get one with ETTL and manual controls. Get the 565ex.

For your first flash it really should be ettl. Even the most dedicated manual shooter will at some point get dragged into shooting a birthday party or some event style work where ettl is invaluable. For off camera studio work manual can be better but your ettl flash will do manual with a flip of a switch.

If there was a cheaper version of a Canon DSLR that only had M mode, but not Av or Tv, would you buy it? I wouldn't and I feel the same way about flash now. I bought two manual flashes, that I still use, but wasn't sure if I wanted to delve deeper into flash so went cheap. I would now buy a YN-568 instead of the YN-560s that I bought.

If I were doing truly manual lighting, I'd buy moonlights instead.

Doing macro adds additional complications, since the speedlite may be at very close distances to the subject.

With ETTL the camera metering system does the flash exposure metering on a shot by shot basis.
With manual, you or either using your eyes and histogram or a flash meter to establish an exposure that you may use for several exposures. One is not better than the other, they are just two approaches to the same result.

Getting a speedlite that offers both options is much better than getting a speedlite that forces one to do only a single approach.

If you buy a flash with TTL capability, you can usually turn that capability off and you then have a manual flash.
If you buy a flash without TTL capability, you can't turn on something which isn't there.
Don't close doors by buying a manual-only first flash - keep the options as open as possible.
Each style has it's place, as others have said.
Another trite but true saying is "You never stop learning". We are constantly forgetting stuff, if we don't keep topping up we end up with totally empty brains. Then we can become politicians instead of photographers
Good luck.

gremlin75 wrote in post #16638301
I don't know what articles you were reading but stop reading them. There are a lot of photographers that use ETTL when it's needed.....some that even use it when, I think, manual would be the better option.

As you dive deeper down the photographic rabbit hole you'll find that flash is an amazing tool and having a flash that can do ETTL and manual (the yn565ex) is like two tools in one. They each have their place, they each have their own learning curve, and its best to learn how to use both.

I beleive that anyone looking to get a first flash should get one with ETTL and manual controls. Get the 565ex.

I think it's my fault. It got lost in translations. I over simplified what I've read. And it's not just one article. Again I may be over simplifying it but how about, they prefer manual for more creative control?

Thanks for your comment I appreciate it. I've decided to get the YN-565ex

I'm not going to look for the others but here's one of the example:
http://www.strobepro.c​om …i-buy-ttl-or-manual-flash

Thanks everyone for a very helpful advice. I've only considered the YN-560III because of the price. I'm glad you pointed me to the right direction.

Canajun wrote in post #16638734
I think it's my fault. It got lost in translations. I over simplified what I've read. And it's not just one article. Again I may be over simplifying it but how about, they prefer manual for more creative control?

Thanks for your comment I appreciate it. I've decided to get the YN-565ex

I'm not going to look for the others but here's one of the example:
http://www.strobepro.c​om …i-buy-ttl-or-manual-flash

I read the article and disagree with the author. ETTL, once you understand what it does, is very simple and controllable.

And if suggest the YN-568EX because of the HSS feature. This is useful when you need a shutter speed a bit shorter than the sync speed and you don't need the full flash power.

Canajun wrote in post #16638734
I think it's my fault. It got lost in translations. I over simplified what I've read. And it's not just one article. Again I may be over simplifying it but how about, they prefer manual for more creative control?

Thanks for your comment I appreciate it. I've decided to get the YN-565ex

I'm not going to look for the others but here's one of the example:
http://www.strobepro.c​om …i-buy-ttl-or-manual-flash

I guess that article writer has never shot a wedding. LOL. Get the ttl flash for fast moving run and gun use ttl. For static non time sensitive shoots off camera where your not constantly changing flash to subject distance use manual. With ttl you can get great results if you know what your doing I would say get the YN568EX. Note get the gen one NOT the YN568EXII because it has an exposure issue unless they have fixed that. If doing mission criticle stuff like weddings get a brand like a Canon 580exII or a 600ex

It's a personal choice.

For macro, you only need manual and you're better off getting a dedicated ring flash. "Nobody" uses TTL with macro.

If you can shoot slow, you can get by with a manual flash.
If you have to shoot something moving and have to get the shot, you need to get ETTL.

If you have more than one camera system, you're better off getting an auto thyristor flash because they usually meter quite reliably.

I shoot many other cameras which are not canon. And I don't shoot action, so I get by without TTL flashes. If I had to shoot weddings, I'd have to spend a grand for two ETTL flashses from canon.

IF younguo makes ETTL version and it's 30-50 bucks more expensive, it's a no brainer. Get ETTL as your first flash.

^^ The rationale of having the flexibility of both manual and ETTL are very convincing. I was leaning toward manual as what you have stated (especially I probably only use it on macro and static objects with the occasional family events). But upon reading some of the comments. I now realized that having both is the way to go.

Canajun wrote in post #16639670
^^ The rationale of having the flexibility of both manual and ETTL are very convincing. I was leaning toward manual as what you have stated (especially I probably only use it on macro and static objects with the occasional family events). But upon reading some of the comments. I now realized that having both is the way to go.

It's not clear cut.

If you move away from canon to sony r7 for example, ETTL will become useless and it's just money wasted. If you shoot for yourself, you might find auto thyristor enough. If you pick up film... same story.

If you go into strobist stuff, you want a manual flash instead of ETTL to use off camera.