Need recommendation for a new Speedlite

Way back when I bought my then-new Canon 20D camera, I also bought a new Canon 420EX Speedlite. I replaced the old 20D with a 7D a few years back but the 420EX has worked quite well for me until yesterday when something inside popped quite loudly.

My question to y'all is what currently produced Speedlite (or a competitor) would do the job well at a lower price than today's crop of do-everything-automagically-with-remote-control flash units? What I need is a head that can be pointed anywhere and a fairly simple auto-exposure system that would function with my 7D.

I am open to discussion about various "systems" but will not be buying a new camera body or lenses any time soon. I'm 72 years old and need to keep current funds fairly much intact.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Skip Douglas

I'd go 580EX II. It's not technically "current", but it's about the age of your 7D, can be controlled through the 7D's menus, matches the 7D's weather sealing, and ETTL-II works wonderfully. Can generally be had lightly used either here or on FM for $125-$150. 430EX II is another good option (the direct successor to your 420EX) , a little smaller, lighter, less powerful, and not quite as many head positions, but still very good. Generally around $100.

SkipD wrote in post #18839191
... what currently produced Speedlite (or a competitor) would do the job well at a lower price than today's crop of do-everything-automagically-with-remote-control flash units? What I need is a head that can be pointed anywhere and a fairly simple auto-exposure system that would function with my 7D.

Well, it's a do-everything-automagically-with-remote-control flash unit, but it also has a head that can be pointed anywhere and does eTTL-II: the Godox TT685C. You can find it new for $110, and since Godox is a Chinese company that doesn't actually do customer support, getting it from Adorama or B&H who will support it themselves might be worth pursuing.

The reason you can find so many 580EXII and 430EXII used (and those are also great options, and arguably better options if you never plan to take the flash off the camera and go Strobist), is that Canon came out with the RT radio-controlled gear.

Godox's gear is a cheaper alternative to the RT system, with some key differences that make it a very popular system. The Godox TTL/HSS lights support TTL/HSS cross-brand for six brands (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Olympus/Panasonic, and Pentax), so you can share lights if you have, say, dSLR and mirrorless gear, or want to share a lighting setup with someone who's a non-Canon shooter. And the Godox system also includes larger-than-speedlight options, such as studio strobes, if you really get into lighting for portraits. But neither of these factors may be of interest to you.

I own both a 580EXII and a TT685C. To me, the TT685C is a weird halfway point between a 580EXII and a 600EX-RT clone only in Godox's 2.4GHz system vs. Canon's. I use my 580EXII for on-camera event stuff; but I'll grab the TT685C every time I might need off-camera. The TT685C also makes a terrific backup unit to the 580EXII, and can do Canon's optical wireless master/slave modes, too. I prefer the Godox radio signalling, though, because when I'm not using my 5DMkII, I'm grabbing a Panasonic GX7 or a Fuji X100T, and the TT685C can be a TTL/HSS/remote power slave to all three camera systems.

Check the Canon refurbs, now at an additional 15% off. I’ve purchased two Speedlights and two cameras and you can’t tell them from new. And they have a new warranty.

https://shop.usa.canon​.com …rbished-speedlite-flashes

B&H has a deal of the day on the 470EX-AI as well, but Wednesday only. $50 off, $249 net. See https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …2_speedlite_470​ex_ai.html

I would suggest either a used 580exII, or one of the godox models with the rechargeable battery pack. But if you really love your 420, send me a PM.

+1 for the Godox suggestion.
I've got
2x TT685S, 1x TT685F, 2x AD200 and 1x AD360 + 2x X-ProF and 1x X1TS

I would prefer a used Canon flash over a new Godox. You KNOW that Canon makes a time proven well constructed unit, but you do not know with certainty how reliable and robust the Godox is. Yes, lots of folks now buy Godox for price/value. But is it like Yungnuo had over time proven itself to be in terms of reliability and service?!
The Canon was backed with post-warranty service and spare parts, the Godox has no post warranty service and no spare parts...instead, you buy yourself another unit!

Wilt wrote in post #18839648
I would prefer a used Canon flash over a new Godox. You KNOW that Canon makes a time proven well constructed unit, but you do not know with certainty how reliable and robust the Godox is. Yes, lots of folks now buy Godox for price/value. But is it like Yungnuo had over time proven itself to be in terms of reliability and service?!
The Canon was backed with post-warranty service and spare parts, the Godox has no post warranty service and no spare parts...instead, you buy yourself another unit!

And exactly how many units for how many years does it take a brand to prove it's reliability and robustness? And in which invironment and usage? Does amateurs using flash occasionally really need the highend gear? Why have one expensive when you can have multible more economical units and keep on shooting if one dies? Seems to me Godox have been around also in profesional use long enough not to be questioned.

A +1 to the 580EXII first or the 580EX. I still use a 580EX and have been waiting to pick up a 580EX II. I'd had the 580 EX for use on the 5D-IV in basic uses and that is still a wonderful unit regardless of age.

soeren wrote in post #18839684
And exactly how many units for how many years does it take a brand to prove it's reliability and robustness? And in which invironment and usage? Does amateurs using flash occasionally really need the highend gear? Why have one expensive when you can have multible more economical units and keep on shooting if one dies? Seems to me Godox have been around also in profesional use long enough not to be questioned.

ditto, in fact the first round of Godox flashes were good enough for over 1 year that I shot with it, I picked up multiple other strobes and flashes. Other than user friendliness being a big factor (inconsistent interfaces/buttons/mul​tipresses), they have been quite good. 1 year warranties and 1/3 the cost makes this a pretty safe purchase.

However, I like people paying Canon for their flashes, it keeps Canon going for other things.

Without knowing budget, a new Canon 430 EX III RT may, just may fit your needs. Yes it does have Radio and other features that you don’t need today. However the avenues afforded may lead you into other ways and more ways of using Speedlites. And with Canon, should a new body come your way, it will work seamlessly.

My results and reliability with the Godox TT685 series (2 Godox for Canon, 2 Flashpoint for Fujifilm) has been good. They work well, and are fairly easy to "get to know". For my needs, paying hundreds of dollars per unit doesn't make sense as they are not used very heavily. If budget is the main issue, these should work nicely.

Good discussion for paying what one feels is appropriate for use to value. Godox has many good attributes to be a strong contender. Starting fresh they make it easy to get into a system.