Canon flash help for beginner

[jamiebae]

I think I need a flash gun for my 60d but I'm not sure what to look for really. I had a Sigma flash gun with my old Pentax K20D and never got the hang of it but I'm finding the built in flash a bit restrictive and have a few indoor events/parties in the next few weeks so it would be good to get something I can use then.

As cheap as possible would be nice, certainly under £200 and ideally nearer £100. I'm happy to go 2nd hand if needed to get something better within budget, but new would be preferable.

If it makes a difference I have a Tokina 11-16 f2.8, Canon 17-40 f4L and Canon 70-200 f4L too.

[Jagster93]

I would definitely suggest the 430ex ii (£190-230), has pretty much everything you will need for indoor photography/night photography and also gives the option to use it as a slave flash later on if you need to I have this myself and must ask how I coped without it at certain places. Only downfall I find is the fact most Canons apart from the 7D don't have a built in transmitter for this so either needs to bought separately (at a costly expense) or just used on the top of the camera.
Also there is the feature to flash it yourself by pressing the test button! Hope this helps a little

[bobda]

You can definitely use a flash off-camera with a 60d, because that's what I do.
I have a 430exII which I use with my 60d and the camera fires a pre-flash which contains the information needed which triggers it to fire at the same time as the shutter release. In practice you only see one flash.

Edited by bobda on Friday 5th October 23:58

[Jagster93]

Bobda that's interesting has yours got a built in transmitter? or is it working of something else Intrigued to find something to make it work with mine

[jamiebae]

The Canon 430 looks to be the obvious choice really, but I'd rather spend a bit less if at all possible? I've seen the Yongnuo ones on eBay which look good from the specs alone but obviously that only tells half the story. Is something like this a total waste of money?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yongnuo-YN568EX-YN-568EX...

[RobDickinson]

I have a nissin di866, does everything a 580 does, same power, cheaper than a 430.

[bobda]

Jagster93 said:

Bobda that's interesting has yours got a built in transmitter? or is it working of something else Intrigued to find something to make it work with mine

Nothing additional - set the flash into wireless mode and place it within range of the camera. Pop up the camera's built in flash and go to the on board flash menu and set it to wireless mode - there's four options I think; on board, on board then external, on board + external or external only. There's a video guide here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gefc3jgBXk (skip to around 2 minutes for the camera setting).

[jamiebae]

So what is the benefit of a Canon flash over a similar specification 3rd party one? Are they more reliable, more accurate or does it not make a huge difference?

[Jagster93]

Thanks for that Bobda will give it a try
As for whether to go camera branded or not, I personally don't like 3rd party stuff unless they have a good reputation. I was looking at a cheaper alternative myself as £200 for effectively a bright flash seemed mad but I think knowing I have the same brand as the camera which I have had good customer service from made the decision slightly easier

[RobDickinson]

jamiebae said:

So what is the benefit of a Canon flash over a similar specification 3rd party one? Are they more reliable, more accurate or does it not make a huge difference?

Canon flashes are more weathersealed, have faster recharge rates and more compatibility with control from the camera menu itself etc. Canon also understand their ettl system better than the 3rd parties.