Canon versus Bolt

I own a Canon Speedlight 580 EX II that is no longer working reliably. I also own a GoDox External battery pack and this combo has proven to be very effective. Looking to replace the Canon either used or new but now wonder about the Bolt and Yongnuo brands. Are either an acceptable lower cost flash unit that should be considered?

I also own a Canon 420 EX Speedlight but it will not accept an external battery pack so I am considering selling it off and buying perhaps 2 of the Bolt or Yongnuo units and an additional cable to power the flash from the external battery.

Any thoughts?

Bob

No thoughts in particular.

Bolt is a private-label branding for B&H. Most of their popular flash units are also sold under the Godox, Witstro, and Cheetah brands, and as Flashpoint through Adorama. This brand is generally used for higher-end consumer stuff. Not everything branded as Bolt comes from the same manufacturer, the same is true for Flashpoint, Bower, Impact and other rebrands.

So fair to say that Bolt would be a "reasonable" alternative to Canon?

bianson wrote in post #17860598
So fair to say that Bolt would be a "reasonable" alternative to Canon?

I can't speak from personal experience, but the VX series are well reviewed and there is no shortage of opinion on PotN of the VB bare bulb units, though you will need to cross-reference the Godox, Witstro and Cheetah model numbers to aggregate the reviews.

bianson wrote in post #17860598
So fair to say that Bolt would be a "reasonable" alternative to Canon?

A) compare product to product, not brand to brand. B) Bare bulb lights are considerably different than speedlites. It really comes down to what you want to do which tool is the best.

If your going to buy from Adorama the get the Flashpoint StreakLight 360 instead of the Bolt because the Flashpoint is the best supported one by Adorama. It is their main brand for these flashes made by Godox.

Soon there will be also a TTL version of the StreakLight 360 if you need TTL and the 360 can produce easily more than two times the light output the 580EX.

You may want to have a look at the YN600RT if you are looking for a 580 replacement/upgrade.

My opinion is that that the YN600RT is nearly identical to the Canon ex600RT. I own both (and use them very often).

There is an excellent thread comparing the two:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1444796

I think, even those who prefer the Canon 600 over the YN 600, would agree you get at least 85% of Canon version when you buy the Yongnuo version. I think it's closer to 95%...