First ETTL Flash

Hey Guys,

I currently have two Yongnuo 560III flashes that I use a lot for Real Estate Photography, and other miscellaneous things. Until now, they've worked perfect for what I need.

I recently got a call to photograph a social event (a party of around 2000 people). It's going to be dim, and I figured with lots of different people, and distances, and everything, trying to manually adjust my flash would be a nightmare. So...I figured now was the best time to get a ETTL flash.

What would you recommend for a good flash? I don't need anything fancy. Just something that calculates the exposure automatically for me, so I can focus more on the shot and not the flash exposure. I see a lot of people using the 430ex II's, and for ~$200, that's not too bad. Should I go the Canon route, or does Yongnuo make some good ETTL flashes as well?

Another thing I was curious about was High Speed Sync. Never used it before. How does that work? I shoot with a 6D. Does that have more to do with the Flash? Or with the camera? Or both? I think the 6D has a max sync speed of 1/180th, so can my camera even do HSS?

Thanks for the help! Really appreciate it!

Altough I can't help you in this, I would also be interested in the answer.

Are you getting paid for this? If you are, then don't skimp: get the 600EX-RT, write it down as a company asset, and start practicing with on-camera bounce-flash or buy a flash modifier.

If you're only coming as an invited guest and there's no pressure to deliver, then the 430EX II will be fine, as will all the other third party flashes with Canon TTL compatibility (ex. Phottix Mitros/Mitros+, Nissin 622/866, Godox Ving V860, etc.). Note: Some pros do use third-party flashguns exclusively - but those guys haven't been ETTL beginners in a long time.

---

As for your other questions related to High-Speed Sync (HSS): HSS is specifically designed for flash-use with shutterspeeds faster than your camera's flash sync (such as shooting portraits in broad daylight). So if your event venue is dim/low-light (i.e. ISO 800+), you'd never need to use HSS because your usable shutterspeed in that venue will never go beyond the 1/180 flash sync your camera has. All of your adjustments in that event will be to either increase ISO, or slow down the shutter speed to 1/125 or slower. And yes, you WILL be shooting Manual mode on the camera; ETTL will be too unpredictable for you in any of the other semi-auto modes.

Yes Yongnuo makes a good ETTL flash. Here is one.

http://hkyongnuo.com/e​-detaily.php?ID=344

If you can get a used 430 it would be OK but it does not swivel 180 degrees on both sides. You can't use it as a master if if get a second but everyone uses triggers these days so it really does not matter too much. A 580 gives you more power.

High speed sync is simply a feature that allows you to use your flash with faster shutter speeds than your camera's sync speed which I believe the 6D would be1/200. It's primary use is to able to shoot with a wider aperture so you can get nice DOF, mostly for outdoor shooting. Just remember the faster the shutter speed the more flash power you lose. Because the flash pulses it is almost unusable at very high shutter speeds when subject is back lit by the sun.

This video provides some tech info. The first 5 minutes will explain it. You do not need PW to make HSS work if your flash in on the camera.

http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …wizard_controlt​l_optimiz/

Another good example. Videos - Tutorials - Lighting Tutorial.

http://www.stansphotos​.com

I will be getting paid for this, but not exorbitant amounts of money. It's more like, "Here. Come take pictures. We'll pay you for your time." It's going to be more of an advertising a networking tool for me, as there are going to be a ton of people there. So I think the 600EX-RT might be a bit overkill for me and my needs. Besides the swivel head, are there any other features missing from the 430ex II that would make it a deal breaker? I know that it's smaller, compared to the 580, and it also produces less power

The HSS question was more for my own knowledge. I've never had a flash that had that capability, so I was just curious.

I was almost thinking that with the low-light capabilities of the 6D, I could even make do without the flash (this thing can practically see in the dark, man!). Even at ISO 16000, I can get some pretty useable shots. But I'd still much rather be prepared and have the flash just in case.

If I go with one of the Canon flashes, for other projects (say...real estate) does anyone foresee problems with using that as my Master, and then setting the two YN flashes to slave, so I can use all three of them together? Or would it be best to invest in some triggers?

The 430ex is fine. Unless you plan to expand into the canon radio system the 600 is overkill. YN makes some highly regarded ETTL flashes but I dont have any personal experience with them.

HSS is a flash feature, to accommodate the fact that fast shutter speeds do not expose the entire sensor at the same time, but rather becomes a moving slit, the flash fires a series of pulses designed to emulate a brief continuous light. You lose a lot of power in going to HSS so its not a miracle cure. It can be useful for baee flash fill on a bright day fairly well.

Here is an excellent alternative at under $200, plus it has a powerful long lasting lithium-ion battery, I have the Nikon version along with three of the manual only Neewer TT850's. Great all around flashes with a very inexpensive and efficient trigger/receiver system.

http://flashhavoc.com …c-ving-ettl-flash-review/

Thorrulz wrote in post #17189788
Here is an excellent alternative at under $200, plus it has a powerful long lasting lithium-ion battery, I have the Nikon version along with three of the manual only Neewer TT850's. Great all around flashes with a very inexpensive and efficient trigger/receiver system.

http://flashhavoc.com …c-ving-ettl-flash-review/

Thorrulz, with all due respect, DO NOT get the V860C for TTL work. I have a couple and they're way too inconsistent for TTL exposure. I've documented my experience here.

Stick with Canon for TTL. Find some used on CL if you have to.

https://photography-on-the.net …?p=17103138&pos​tcount=101

For ETTL exposure predictability, I've been happy with 580ExIIs, 550Exs or Phottix Mitros +'Plus' (the 2 first via Odins).

I have a Yongnuo 568, and it has proven to be very reliable and consistent with the ttl. Good build quality also. I would assume the same can be said for the 565, it's a little smaller, lighter, and has a little less output, for $65 less.

brycematheson wrote in post #17189714
The HSS question was more for my own knowledge. I've never had a flash that had that capability, so I was just curious.

That is what I figured. HSS would not be too good for your application but it is good to know what it does. It's title has made others think it had something to with freezing the subject.

Thanks for much for all of your help! I feel pretty "noobish" when it comes to TTL flashes. I think I've decided on the 430ex II.

Everybody was noobish at one point. That's why these forums exist. Good luck with your flash.

EmaginePixel wrote in post #17189818
Thorrulz, with all due respect, DO NOT get the V860C for TTL work. I have a couple and they're way too inconsistent for TTL exposure. I've documented my experience here.

Stick with Canon for TTL. Find some used on CL if you have to.

Folks need to keep in mind that the metering and the consistency of ETTL flash exposure is ENTIRELY the control of the CAMERA, not the flash!
The flash merely responds to the 'send pre-flash' command from the camera, then responds to the camera's command for how much light to output...the ETTL flash is otherwise pretty darned stupid!

ExaminePixel's example seems to not be an issue of 'consistency', but rather one of 'fundamental underexposure' for whatever reason that is happening.

If you have walls and low ceilings, please consider using bounced flash instead of direct flash. There is nothing more telling than the look of direct flash. As others have stated above, you seem to know and trust the Yongnuo brand flash, and the EX 565 is an ETTL capable flash. If you wanted to explore HSS, on a different shoot or just for personal use, you might consider the EX 568. It does ETTL and HSS. I would also look into getting a few Yongnuo radio triggers. I have the YN 622c's and love the ability to get the flash off camera and use it where/how I want to.
So those are a few additional options, and especially if you are only keeping the flash on the camera. I would opt for a flash that allows you to swivel the head which ever direction you need to get the shot.
And while I too own the 6D, there is no way I would shoot an event with no flash, this thing can almost see in the dark as you mentioned, but if you need to get the shot, supplementary light is almost a necessity to get shots that are presentable.