Speedlights - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

08/30/2010 02:05:25 PM · #1

I have a Canon 580ex II and am now looking for a second speedlight which I can get for relatively cheap.
Any one know of a decent speedlight (Old/Used/3rd party) which I can get for a decent price?

Thanks

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

08/30/2010 02:16:02 PM · #2

If TTL is not important, I have been reading some positive reviews of the Yongnou YN-560. It's not perfect but is also fairly inexpensive. Sounds like it was designed for strobist work.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/30/2010 02:23:27 PM · #3

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

If TTL is not important, I have been reading some positive reviews of the Yongnou YN-560. It's not perfect but is also fairly inexpensive. Sounds like it was designed for strobist work.

Will check it out, just need it as a second off camera flash.

tholmir

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

08/30/2010 02:25:45 PM · #4

I recently bought the LumoPro LP160 and I like it.

08/30/2010 02:27:58 PM · #5

Originally posted by JayA:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
If TTL is not important, I have been reading some positive reviews of the Yongnou YN-560. It's not perfect but is also fairly inexpensive. Sounds like it was designed for strobist work.

Will check it out, just need it as a second off camera flash.

Yeah, I like manual flashes for off-camera work... personally go with the Vivtar 285HV as my location work horse, along with wireless triggers. Keep in mind you'll lose eTTL control, so a Canon 430 EX II might be a better option for you.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/30/2010 02:49:17 PM · #6

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by JayA:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
If TTL is not important, I have been reading some positive reviews of the Yongnou YN-560. It's not perfect but is also fairly inexpensive. Sounds like it was designed for strobist work.

Will check it out, just need it as a second off camera flash.

Yeah, I like manual flashes for off-camera work... personally go with the Vivtar 285HV as my location work horse, along with wireless triggers. Keep in mind you'll lose eTTL control, so a Canon 430 EX II might be a better option for you.

I'd be setting the power myself so wouldn't really need eTTL

AmeedEl-Ghoul

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/30/2010 02:57:11 PM · #7

Hi Jay, 16 months ago I was in your place, end ended up getting 2 Vivitar 285HV, they are great as manual work horses. But as my photography became more advanced, '' would like to think so '' I found out that I am in need to have the ability to Ettl.
I've done lots of shooting with the manuals. But recently they are not enough any more. I was doing a pre engagement yesterday on a boat, the boat was anchored, but it was rotating, the sun kept changing direction, I'd say the sun rotation covered the 360 degree. I got nice shots, but I lost wonderful shots because simply the ratio kept on changing.
Did I think 16 months ago that I will be doing a pre engagment on a boat. No
Did I ever think that I will ever need the Ettl. No
But all of this has changed .. Now I am saving to buy 2 580II plus the one I need so I can ETTL, HperSync and be able to Sync above 1/250.
my 2 Cents, best of luck with your new purchase.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

08/30/2010 03:02:04 PM · #8

Originally posted by JayA:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by JayA:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
If TTL is not important, I have been reading some positive reviews of the Yongnou YN-560. It's not perfect but is also fairly inexpensive. Sounds like it was designed for strobist work.

Will check it out, just need it as a second off camera flash.

Yeah, I like manual flashes for off-camera work... personally go with the Vivtar 285HV as my location work horse, along with wireless triggers. Keep in mind you'll lose eTTL control, so a Canon 430 EX II might be a better option for you.

I'd be setting the power myself so wouldn't really need eTTL

I personally hate eTTL off-camera, so I think you're on the right track. You'll need to invest in wireless triggers. I like the Cactus triggers from Gadget Infinity myself. They're cheap and reliable enough and won't break the bank if I lose one in the surf. Get two, there is no sense in leaving your very capable 580EX on-camera.

I'd also highly suggest a good flash meter, such as the Sekonic L-358 or L-308.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

08/30/2010 03:13:44 PM · #9

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I like the Cactus triggers from Gadget Infinity myself. They're cheap and reliable enough and won't break the bank if I lose one in the surf. Get two, there is no sense in leaving your very capable 580EX on-camera.

I have a set of V4's and have not been able to get them to work reliably with my Canon gear. If you have a tip for getting them to work, I am all ears. (Though I have just ordered a set of RF-602's)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/30/2010 03:17:32 PM · #10

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
I like the Cactus triggers from Gadget Infinity myself. They're cheap and reliable enough and won't break the bank if I lose one in the surf. Get two, there is no sense in leaving your very capable 580EX on-camera.

I have a set of V4's and have not been able to get them to work reliably with my Canon gear. If you have a tip for getting them to work, I am all ears. (Though I have just ordered a set of RF-602's)

PC to Hot-shoe adapters will do the trick. Plug the adapter into the trigger's PC plug and put the flash on the adapter. This also makes it much more stable than having a flash on top of a V4 which is kind of bulky.

I use the 16-channel triggers myself, which do not have the hot shoe on top.

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

08/30/2010 05:31:05 PM · #11

I was pretty happy adding the Sigma EF-530 DG Super to my 580 EX II. It has an optical trigger, which I really liked.

Sigma page

photodude

08/30/2010 07:34:20 PM · #12

As previously mentioned, Yongnuo makes some very reliable inexpensive flashes and wireless triggers.

The YN 560 is a new model and has a zoom head. The YN 460 II, is a bit more powerful but has a fixed head set at 35mm.

The RF 602 is a non TTL wireless trigger.

You can get more info here //www.flickr.com/groups/yongnuo/discuss/

All of their equipment is available direct from China on ebay - //stores.ebay.com/hkyongnuophotoequipment

RamblinR

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

08/31/2010 01:15:24 AM · #13

I use the RF-602's when working off camera. Mainly use these with an SB26/SB28/Sunpack 5000AF. I have also tried them with my canon flashes and to memory they worked fine.

As for flash power I add the following table to a strobist discussion about Yongnou 560 flashes (Kurbster started the discussion). I have posted it here for information. Obviously I could only post readings from the flashes I own so it is limited.

Flash Comparison

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

08/31/2010 01:28:18 AM · #14

Off camera flash.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/31/2010 01:29:51 AM · #15

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Off camera flash.

I've used that one... it's quite unreliable and eats the Hell out of batteries.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

08/31/2010 01:34:52 AM · #16

I use an old SB 28 and usually on manual, or auto, with manual lenses, and fudge one stop down at the aperture to not blow highlights. I have a flashcube for off camera shooting, but never seem to use it. I like light painting using flash and gels.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

08/31/2010 02:46:33 AM · #17

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Off camera flash.

I've used that one... it's quite unreliable and eats the Hell out of batteries.

Yeah, and it makes the picture somewhat blurry.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/31/2010 01:00:03 PM · #18

Right, through your advice and plenty of reading heres where I am.

Currently
1x Canon 580 EXII Used on camera, but more importantly off camera using a off camera shoe cord, stands, brollys etc

Looking for
A second flash to use off camera as a slave to the 580EXII only.
A wireless setup to replace the off camera shoe cord and cater for one or two flashs.
Cheapness

Options so far
Slave flash units -
Yongnuo YN-560
Yongnuo YN-468
Vivitar Proffessional 285HV
Wireless Triggers -
Youngnuo RF602
Younnuo YN-04II
Yongnuo CTR-301P
Yongnuo PT-04

What are you opinions on these options? or if you think I've missed something.

Thanks again

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

08/31/2010 01:57:12 PM · #19

LP160

photodude

08/31/2010 06:45:54 PM · #20

The wireless trigger question is easy. Get the RF 602's. They are 2.4 gigahertz which is the newer mnore reliable technology. Easily worth the few extra bucks or pounds.

The 468 flash is Yongnuos TTL version of the 460. The wireless triggers are dumb and dont support TTL, so you dont need it in the scenario you are proposing. The flash choice comes down to the 560 if you want a zoomable flash head or the 460 II if you want a bit more power but a fixed flash head (and also half the price). It probably depends on what you are doing with them.

JeffryZ

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

08/31/2010 07:42:19 PM · #21

I cannot comment on any Canon compatable flashes since I am with Nikon but i-TTL can be very useful for trying to balance the flash with other light sources. I have just recently started to play around with off camera flash and that can be useful as well. I was recently on a camping/ rafting trip and experimented with it there. In this case, I was trying to get pictures of the campfire. The light was warm but gave harsh shadows and to get a decent exposure, if people moved, there was motion blur. My best result with just the camera and fire (all handheld):

So then I pulled out my flash and put some orange gel over the front (under the difuser) to give it a warm color- like the fire. Then I placed the flash on the ground (it comes with a removable base) so that the light would be coming mostly from the same direction as the fire. Now I see more of the scene but it still looks natural. In this shot, you can see the flash placement. My Nikon D80 can act as a commander with their flashes (SB 600, 800, 900 at least). They have remote triggers too. I was inspired by Joe McNally's book "Hotshoe Diaries".

The gels are cheap- I ordered a book of "samples" of Rosco gels from BH Photo for just a couple bucks. Some places might even give them away. For a flash, they are plenty big enough.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/31/2010 08:21:25 PM · #22

Originally posted by JeffryZ:

Nikon's CLS is perhaps the only reason I wish I shot Nikon instead of Canon....

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

08/31/2010 08:32:35 PM · #23

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Nikon's CLS is perhaps the only reason I wish I shot Nikon instead of Canon....

The 7D and the newly announced 60D have wireless flash control in-body, my man. :-D