Speedlite/external flash suggestions?

October 10th, 2015
Hi guys!

I have been toying with the idea of getting a speedlite/external flash for my Canon 650D and my husband has just offered to buy me one for Christmas! Would anybody have suggestions on makes/models? Any advice would be much appreciated (and if anyone has images taken with particular speedlites/external flashes I'd love to see them).

Thanks in advance,

Laura
October 10th, 2015
Take a look at the Yongnuo speedlights. They are a lot cheaper than the canon ones and they work really well.
October 10th, 2015
Another vote for Yongnuo. If you want full auto, go for the yx568:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yongnuo-YN-568EX-II-TTL-Master-High-Speed-1-8000s-Flash-Speedlite-for-EOS-Canon-/251943376041?hash=item3aa8fed4a9

If you are ok with manual, the yn560iii has the benefit of built in wireless (you just need a transmitter for you 650D):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yongnuo-YN-560-III-Wireless-Flash-Speedlite-for-Canon-Nikon-Pentax-Olympus-/151026609725?hash=item2329e32e3d

I have both of these, first on my 700D and now my 5D, and they are great. It does pay to do a little reading up on flash photography though - there are a lot of uses that you won't even think of, like using it for portraits in full sun

October 10th, 2015
Yup, make him buy you a couple of the higher end Yongnuo flashes - and maybe a set of Cowboy Studio transmitters. get it all for the price of a Canon flash.
October 10th, 2015
Meike is a brand I am familiar with. I have had no problem with them on my Nikons. They come with Canon eTTL support as well. 1/4 (or less) the price of the "name" flashes. Typically they don't have all the features, but they do have the important ones. eTTL especially.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VRKGRIQ?keywords=meike%20flash%20canon&qid=1444515443&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3

If you are off-boarding the flash, then you will need a transmitter to mount on the camera as well with your Canon; the on-camera flash will not operate as a commander. Other people above have already mentioned this.


October 11th, 2015
I bought a second hand Canon 430 EX II for my camera. Here is my first shot using it This was outside on my balcony and it was almost completely dark. Flash bounced off balcony ceiling.

October 11th, 2015
I use a Neewer speedlite, model 750 II. It is a relabeled Meike flash. Fabulous and an insane deal. I paid $50 on Amazon and it works every bit as well as my friend's SB 700, which cost six times what mine did!
October 11th, 2015
@soboy5 @helstor @melston @frankhymus @kiwisnapper @willowdragon Thanks so much to all of you for your advice and recommendations, they will definitely be guiding my research
October 12th, 2015
+1 for the YN568EXII. of course if your'e using it off camera which i highly recommend, you'll also need :
- 2 x transceivers or 1 transmitter + 1 transceiver
- stand
- MAY also need a coldshoe to attach between the stand and the transceiver
- Optional extra - flash modifiers and this gets you into a bunch of other gear. I would hold off on this part for now.

I would actually recommend :
- 1 x YN622C transmitter ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/YongNuo-YN-622C-TX-wireless-controller-trigger/dp/B00LD0K77M)
- 1 x YN622C transceiver ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yongnuo-Single-Transceiver-YN-622C-Trigger/dp/B007B8Y1KO/ref=pd_sim_421_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=00JR7Y9QHZ9TZEXYEQ6R&dpID=41BOHKBStUL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_)
- 1 x Manfroto 5001B stand ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LJHGQ6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage)
- 1 x coldshoe ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaavie-Universal-Swivel-Holder-Umbrella/dp/B006VTJQT0/ref=pd_sim_421_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1NRV393PFBNHQHA0VH11&dpID=31jjJF2QHSL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_)

If you wanted to check out flash modifiers, then there's a whole load, but for flexibility, you could get something like the Neewer S type bracket and then from there just get modifiers with a bowens S-type attachment http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Bracket-Speedlite-Reflector-Umbrella/dp/B00JAAXH1A/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1444667665&sr=1-2&keywords=neewer+flash+holder
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