My first flash

Hi everybody,

I want to dulge in to the world of strobing. I am on a budget of in an around £100, I have had a search on here and the Vivitar 285HV keeps popping up as well as the YN-460's off ebay.

Ideally I want to use the flash on and off camera. When using it off flash wireless will be preferred, now the ebay jobbies appear to be the cheapest but how are they in terms of quality? Does it have a swivle head?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …K:MEWAX:IT#ht_4​227wt_1010

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …K:MEWAX:IT#ht_3​946wt_1020

Thanks,

Matt

The YN-460 does have a swivel head. You shouldn't hesitate on purchasing these off-brand products sold on eBay stores.

I know what you're thinking. Generally, knock offs are poorly built and their manufacturers couldn't give a sh*t as long as they make enough profit. Surprisingly, out of the box, YongNuo's products are comparable to other high quality flash units. But like all things, only time will tell.

From my experience, and I've modified my YN-460, all I can say is that it's great. I've seen its innards. The board layout and soldering job is very clean. The wires aren't dangling and about to break off. Also, the body itself feels solid. It doesn't make any clunking noise when you shake it unlike other Chinese-made, redistributed and re-branded here in the US (I won't mention any brands but I've owned one before).

Give it a try. The worst thing that can happen is you waste your lunch money and a week to three weeks waiting.

That is very true! Will the triggers work properly? I'm considering just buying two for the price of them and have a good proper play!

mattyb240 wrote in post #9081763
That is very true! Will the triggers work properly? I'm considering just buying two for the price of them and have a good proper play!

I used to own Vivitars, 430EX II, and CyberSyncs but currently I own YN-460s and RF-602s. For my application, I have not found the range of the triggers lacking. As for the flash units, the color and the power output have been consistent thus far. I have yet to find anything to complain about. (Except for the 3 weeks of waiting but such is the price for living far from Hong Kong.)

Wow sounds like a good deal all round really, I want to mess about with some portraiture of family and friends, perhaps i'll try one with a stand and make a cheap reflector.