Noob to flash setups , looking to get started

watt100 wrote in post #11432573
the Yongnuo YN465 is just a simple ETTL flash with manual controls but the price is right

Wow, that prices is right. How does it compare to the Canon 580/480 series?
Does this particular model work with Pocket Wizards?

watt100 wrote in post #11432573
the Yongnuo YN465 is just a simple ETTL flash with manual controls but the price is right

It is not nearly as powerful as either of the other flashes I owned. And it does not have the zoom head. But for occassional indoor use it is great. Can't imagine a pro or an artist type using it, but it does a nice job for the rank amateur.

Dam, I come back a week or so later and 3 pages long. Thanks guys, I'm looking to get more into shooting cars and maybe to start doing like portrait work as well, don't know if that will change things on the suggestions. I'm going to look into all of the suggestions posted, is there a downside buying used , do flashes get dual over time or anything ?

Also since we're talking about flashes, anyone have any good links to like where and when to point flashes in certain directions, or like when to use a diffuser and when not to ?

HoosierJoe wrote in post #11432083
A week old thread but I will chime in. I had a canon 430EX flash and a Sigma flash (can't remember which one but it was the one comparable to the canon 580ex). Once I got a YN 465 I sold both of those and stuck with it. Stupidly easy to use and no frills. I REALLY liked that 430EX flash but I had no problem giving it up once I used the YN.

I know this was also asked in this thread but didn't see a reply to it, what are the big difference that I'll be missing if I get a YN over the EX ? Whats the zoom head ?

I'll leave the specific questions to someone more experienced than myself, but I really like the yongnuos for the price as well. Especially if you're just getting started with flash like I am, you really can't go wrong for that low price. The worst thing that happens is you decide you want to upgrade and then have the yongnuo as a 2nd flash if you start doing any off camera flash.

The zoom head works pretty well. Just adjusts the focus of the light to wider/ longer depending on the focal length you're shooting. It adjusts to match the angle of view covered by your focal length. YN-465 or YN-468 adjust automatically with ETTL.

I don't doubt the canon's better but it only has a few features the YN doesn't so unless you're going to take advantage of them, might as well get started right away for cheaper and see what you think.

elogical wrote in post #11440802
I'll leave the specific questions to someone more experienced than myself, but I really like the yongnuos for the price as well. Especially if you're just getting started with flash like I am, you really can't go wrong for that low price. The worst thing that happens is you decide you want to upgrade and then have the yongnuo as a 2nd flash if you start doing any off camera flash.

The zoom head works pretty well. Just adjusts the focus of the light to wider/ longer depending on the focal length you're shooting. It adjusts to match the angle of view covered by your focal length. YN-465 or YN-468 adjust automatically with ETTL.

I don't doubt the canon's better but it only has a few features the YN doesn't so unless you're going to take advantage of them, might as well get started right away for cheaper and see what you think.

Ok stupid questions coming, whats ETTL stand for, and every time you refocus do you have to change that on zoom ? Also what options does the canon have that the YN doesn't . I'll probably stick with the YN for now, just to mess wit hit, sooner or later I'd like to do an off the camera flash so like you said and made a great point, the YN will be perfect for a second flash.

I'll be picking one up soon, is the 560 much better then the 465 ?

90blackcrx wrote in post #11441181
I'll be picking one up soon, is the 560 much better then the 465 ?

560 is more powerful (there's some debate about how much more powerful, but nonetheless, it should be enough to notice the difference) but the 465 and 468 have ETTL. I'd recommend getting the 468 (or 465 on an extreme budget) if it's gonna be used on camera and if it's only for studio lighting, then the 560 might be a better choice.

ETTL stands for evaluative through the lens if I recall correctly. Basically means that the flash can communicate with the camera and automatically meter the power of the flash. It also communicates with the camera as the lens zoom so it changes the focus of the flash automatically. If you have it on with a longer lens it just zooms all the way in to 85mm until you change it to something different.
I don't have a canon flash myself so hopefully someone else can chime in on the features difference as well, but the main one I'm aware of is HSS- high speed sync - on the canon flash. More info to be had on this elsewhere but it lets you use the flash at shutter speeds above your 1/200th or 1/250th, etc sync speed. Not an issue for indoor use but useful for doing fill flash outdoors when 1/250th sync speed would get you an overexposed image but you still want to use flash to fill in the foreground a little. That's just an example to explain the feature though, I'd recommend reading more on other threads here if you want to know more about it.

I just read something on wikipedia about it, seems like the ETTL is not a huge deal breaker. I'm still doing research though so if anyone else is reading this, feel free to chime in.

Actually, I'd say it is a pretty big deal, for on camera at least. For beginning flash, I found it to be a life-saver to be able to set the camera to manual, dial in 1/200th sec and whatever aperture I want and then fire away with the flash in ETTL.
With the manual flash you'll be continually adjusting aperture and flash power to get the exposure right, but in most cases, ETTL does pretty decent and you can always adjust the flash exposure comp up or down a little while still in ETTL. I'm thinking in terms of taking shots inside though, like party shots in a dim room or just indoor family snapshots where I want the shot quickly with little set up. If you're thinking of uses more like a portrait or car shot or something, then you'd probably leave it in manual anyway and do a more detailed set up. The 468 still has manual mode too of course though, so I'd think you'd find it to be money well spent over going with a manual-only non-ettl flash.

90blackcrx wrote in post #11441513
I just read something on wikipedia about it, seems like the ETTL is not a huge deal breaker. I'm still doing research though so if anyone else is reading this, feel free to chime in.

If you have only one flash make sure it has ETTL !
seriously - adjusting manual flash levels is for when you have plenty of time, often that is not the case!

90blackcrx wrote in post #11441513
I just read something on wikipedia about it, seems like the ETTL is not a huge deal breaker. I'm still doing research though so if anyone else is reading this, feel free to chime in.

LOL, you had better read some more, it IS a big deal, especially for a noob that doesn't want or need to go to full manual. (even pros use e-TTL (Canon) or i-TTL (Nikon), don't let anyone tell you different)

Here is a good guide for comparing Yongnuo flash features (mouse over to see link)

This site has a lot of reviews on Yongnuo flashes and compares them to Canon models.

here is the link to the Yongnuo Ebay store. they pretty much ship anywhere in the world and offer a 1 year warranty.

Thanks for all the information, just purchased one, and it will be my Christmas present!

rsj87 wrote in post #11379287
Came across this thread and checked out the link on ebay but didn't see of any for the 60D. Anyone know if they make one for it? Trying to find an affordable flash like that so I can also still get a battery grip.

Any of them should be fine. The seller lists different titles for each flash for keyword search purposes. Check the description rather than the title.

Wow, this thread was a great read.

but there's one thing I didn't see asked. The recovery time.

How does the YN compare to the EX's? I know that last week I was messing with my friend's Nissin Di622 on a 1Dmkii and at times, the flash would not go off.

Was this due to the Nissin, or the 1d?

Thanks in advance

Tablo wrote in post #11446086
Wow, this thread was a great read.

but there's one thing I didn't see asked. The recovery time.

How does the YN compare to the EX's?

It is 2 seconds max, which is on par with the 430 EX II. But, you must understand that it also depends on camera/flash settings and what batteries are used.

You should use rechargeable NiMH batteries such as the Eneloop batteries or the Maha 2700mAh for the fastest rates.