Question on which flash to get

[NormanRC51]

So i am looking at obtaining my first flash. I have a Canon 30D that I will be connecting it to. I have been doing some reading, and understanding some things and getting confused a lot about others. But my question is which would be a good starter flash. I have narrowed it down to a used 420ex or a new YN-468. They are both about the same price and both support the e-ttl. Just wondering if people have had experiences with both of these.

Thanks for your input.

[inkista]

Haven't used either. But if those are your only two choices, I'd say go for the Yongnuo. The 420EX is eTTL only, with no manual power settings, which means using it off-camera is not gonna happen.

With flash, the power output is much like the aperture on a lens, or the iso/shutter speed on a camera, it's how you control the amount of light. Having eTTL is essentially just having an Auto mode way to adjust the power setting.

If you can save up for a used 430EX (Mark I), I'd say that's actually a better route.

Also, be aware that the Yongnuo may have build quality/consistency issues, and if you get a bad one, you'll be shipping it back to Hong Kong (assuming you bought it from their eBay store and not someone else's--a lot of third-party sellers don't offer the warranty). And that while it does the auto-power thing, it doesn't do the other eTTL functions of master/slave wireless commanding or high-speed sync.

What were you planning on using this flash for?

[NormanRC51]

Thanks for the insight! I think i have decided to find all the pennies on the ground to try to get the 430ex after reading your post and doing some more reading online. I am mostly wanting to use it for shooting cars/motorcycles as a fill in, or later on in a set up shoot. But i am not into studio shooting at all. I am on the look out for a GREAT deal on a 430ex.

Thank you.