Flash help

[metoo]

I want a cheap flash I can use on camera. I don't think I need it super powerful I would mainly be shooting in houses that aren't that big. I'm not a pro with no plans to be a pro so I'm looking in the 100 range. Being able to play around with it off camera might be fun, but on camera is what I really want. I want to be able to bounce it. The more swivel range the better for what I want. I also would like to keep it fairly small. That's kinda important to me.... I'm looking at these and I can't figure it out. I'm currently using a cannon xs, with a 50 mm 1.8 lens for pretty much everything. I'm ok and happy with good enough equipment I don't understand all the numbers and such and I'm the type that needs to handle something to get. I'm sure once I play with it, it will start to make sense, but it's not helping me decide what I want.....


http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlit...4239283&sr=8-8 Is this only for Slr's? This is at the very top of the range i will spend. If it's worth it to get the canon fine otherwise I'm ok with off brands....


http://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-DigiFla...4239283&sr=8-6 This one and hte canon are the two I'm eyeing the most.

Amazon.com: Speedlite YN560 Flash for Canon, Nikon, Sony Cameras: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Vivitar DF383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Power Zoom /Swivel /Bounce Auto-Focus Flash for Canon TTL, Guide Number 45m (147'): Camera & Photo

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-TT560-F...m_cr_pr_sims_t 40$ is a really nice price for me.


If you know any other cheap flashes that would suit my needs please feel free to add them.

[AdrenoJunkie]

I would recommend looking at the Lumpro line or the Yongnuo line. The Canon 270 is pretty outdated, The Neewer stuff is iffy, it seems as if they are trying to pass of their YN flash as a Yongnuo 560. I do have a few of their super duper cheap flashes that work sometimes, but I paid $8 for em so whatdya expect. The Yongnuo stuff has build consistency issues but if you get a good one they work great. I have a 460ii I've had for a year and a half and it has worked perfect for me. I can't speak on the Sunpak or Vivitar stuff, I've never owned any.

[metoo]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

I would recommend looking at the Lumpro line or the Yongnuo line. The Canon 270 is pretty outdated, The Neewer stuff is iffy, it seems as if they are trying to pass of their YN flash as a Yongnuo 560. I do have a few of their super duper cheap flashes that work sometimes, but I paid $8 for em so whatdya expect. The Yongnuo stuff has build consistency issues but if you get a good one they work great. I have a 460ii I've had for a year and a half and it has worked perfect for me. I can't speak on the Sunpak or Vivitar stuff, I've never owned any.

Thank you! After looking more closely sunpak or the yongnuo seem like the two I'm tassing between. I liked that teh vivtar was smaller and it swiveld in more directions, but it got a lot of bad reviews about breaking easily and it was more expensive. Both the other two are under 100. . the sun pack is really small and cheap, the other one does more though....... I have never used a flash other then the on camera one that I currently bounce using a homemade bounce. I'm thinking any of them would be an improvement right? lol Is the YN flash really huge? Also it says it's a manual flash. What exactly does that mean? Keep in mind I never used a flash so be nice to me. I'm going to check the lumpro brand out now....

[AdrenoJunkie]

Originally Posted by metoo

Thank you! After looking more closely sunpak or the yongnuo seem like the two I'm tassing between. I liked that teh vivtar was smaller and it swiveld in more directions, but it got a lot of bad reviews about breaking easily and it was more expensive. Both the other two are under 100. . the sun pack is really small and cheap, the other one does more though....... I have never used a flash other then the on camera one that I currently bounce using a homemade bounce. I'm thinking any of them would be an improvement right? lol Is the YN flash really huge? Also it says it's a manual flash. What exactly does that mean? Keep in mind I never used a flash so be nice to me. I'm going to check the lumpro brand out now....

Yes anything other than your pop up flash will be an improvement. Depending on which model you get it's around the same size as OEM speedlights. The newest model the 565EX is a lil bit bigger. Manual just means that it doesn't have ETTL/ITTL, in other word it doesn't have automatic mode. You have to decide and adjust the flash power yourself. The common consensus is that if you're not in run n gun situations such as weddings or parties you don't really need ETTL. I rarely use it. And if you're just starting out it's better to go manual so that you learn more instead of relying on the camera and flash to do everything. The new Yongnuo model does have ETTL and I think Lumopro has a model that does as well. But like I said if you're just starting out with flash then go manual and learn to light, then decide if you need ETTL. Plus it'll save you some money going manual. Here's a good website for you to check out: Speedlight Feature Comparison Side By Side - Strobist Data i-TTL E-TTL | Speedlights.net