Good, affordable flash for canon?

Goosefiends

Goosefiends

Active member
hey i was wondering if anyone could reccomend a good wireless off camera flash with a remote, i have a canon t3i, i dont really know that much about flashes so any help would be appreciated, i searchbared and didnt find any relevant information

 
Vivitar HV-295's are basically what you want, cheap and powerful.

When it comes to triggers you can just use cheap ebay ones.
 
The Yn-565 Balto suggests is ok. It's not between the 430 and 580ex though, it's an exact copy of the 580 ex II. It has master and slave functions and can use ETTL, it's just a little less powerful. Same design too. I've heard some problems with this flash though, about it being not up to par with other YN products (eg. breaks and quality control not so good)

Personally, I'd get the Yn-460 II or yn-560 if I were you. They're about the same flash, about same output power @35mm, but the YN-560 can zoom (which is a nice feature!) and has a PC-synch cord input, which is also nice. The Yn-460 is about 45$ shipped.

I got the YN-560 and it's a VERY sturdy, nice, simple, good working flash. It's fully manual, so no ETTL (which is for noobs anyway).

I can recommend the flash. Only 60$ shipped from China. I'd get it over the Yn-460 for the zoom feature alone.

As for triggers: RF-603 (also a Yongnuo product). I got mine in recently and they're fabulous. Similar like the older RF-602 (beware, these are NOT compatible!), but they work as both transmitters AND receivers and you can also put a flash on top of the hotshoe of the RF-603 that sits on top of your camera. Means they're much more versatile.

I have never used Pocket wizards, cactus' or the like, but I really don't think it's worth it whipping out a shitload of money for that if there's an option like this available that's cheap, simple and works. The RF-603 run 30$ a pair.

Now I don't know exactly how this all works, but the T3i has an INTERNAL transmitter that (I think, not sure) works as a transmitter too. I'm not sure if this would also work with Yongnuo flashes, but you might want to do

a little research on this. Check out Photography-on-the.net/forum, you'll find info there and otherwise you can always ask in a topic.

I can imagine the internal transmitter doesn't work as well as dedicated triggers though.

 
Well my two friends use these triggers and all three off us use vivitar 285hv's, I'm buying this setup and another vivitar once my pay check arrives.

The triggers are cactus's, their pretty reliable, work well, no ttl but your going to be shooting in M anyways. They range up to 100m according to the site but I'd estimate its less, probably 50m.

The vivitar is super powerful, easy to use (1 dial adjusts power from full to 1/16), but it has a pretty long reload time at full power (1/16 is pretty instant). Their reliable enough, I have to give mine a smack before I power up to get it to work, but its fine after that, no issues. Handy little guide on the side that helps you to expose properly. Whats awesome about these flashes is their so cheap that if you knock one over and it breaks its not really a big deal. You could easily get 2 vivitars, 3 Triggers, 2 stands, 2 umbrellas with holders, all for under $300.

Triggers: Come in double and single packs.

https://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-transceiver-v5-single.html

https://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-transceiver-v5-duo.html

Flash: Retail is just under $100, you could easily find them for cheaper if you look, I got mine for $65 lightly used on here.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Flash.html

Other: Stands vary in size/durability, buy what you think you'll need. Umbrella's are hand for portraits and to diffuse/spread light evenly.

https://www.gadgetinfinity.com/light-stand-for-studio-light-flash-max.-199cm.html

https://www.gadgetinfinity.com/umbrella-swivel-for-studio-photography-adjustable-hot-shoe-mount.html

https://www.gadgetinfinity.com/studio-umbrella-in-white.html

Long but I hope that helped.
 
I've never used the Vivitar 285hv, but I reckon it'll do the job too. I know this is a none-issue but to me it always looks like such an outdated product, like a 20 year old design or something.

I KNOW this doesn't have to do anything with whether it is or isn't a good flash.

Still, I'd recommend the Yongnuo 560. And for the following reasons:

- Not anywhere as powerful (Gn 37 on the 285 versus 58 on the YN-560, this is a huge difference)

- It has a recycle time that's about 3 times as long when fully powered (10 sec vs 3), the YN-560 doesn't have a recycle time when used 1/4 or lower output (granted you have good batteries), the Yn-560.

- The Yn can move 270 degrees to the side, which the Vivitar can't.

- The Yn has a wider zoom (24mm vs 28mm), not a big difference, but nice to have. It also has zoom modes: 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 80 and 105mm. Nice to have.

- The build quality from the YN is MUCH superior to the Vivitar

- It's about 20$ cheaper.

That's 6 good reasons to get the Yn-560 over the Vivitar 285hv. I don't think there's many reasons why you shouldn't get the Yn-560 (or get the Yn-460 II from 1337 for that matter!)
 
yo thanks for the help everyone!! +k, i never thought i would get this much help, but all super helpful stuff, its making this ALOT easier for me
 
Just an example of what you can do with two Vivitar 285HV's fired off camera.

6290215315_edeaf31c73_z.jpg


Full Quality: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zackbarwin/6290215315/in/photostream
 
An extremely blown out picture with a WB that's way off?

I'm joking (but am also not). Sure the picture shows how powerful the flashes are, but that photo sucks. Less power next time and get your WB right.
 
Well pretty much everysingle person at that jam has told me how sick that photo is, so it in fact does not suck. Also its not really that overexposed, maybe in a couple places like his boots, but his body is properly exposed and he's the subject so thats what matters. Also I actually like purple tones given off by the WB.

Maybe be a little nicer next time asshole.
 
K that was a little harsh, but if you click the link for full quality it looks a lot better, ns destroys photos.
 
threads. also can someone post a little more about transmitters? what to look for, things u need, compatibility, link to the one u have.

thanks guys +k to u all for this very helpful info
 
first time using triggers/off camera flashes, so I'm still getting used to it. I wasn't diffusing my flashes though, so thats probably the problem, their my friends but I might build some DIY diffusers of something to make em less harsh.
 
What I use as a DYI diffuser is the plastic from a water bottle/milk. You know how some of those big 2 litre have the milky white plastic?

tuscan-whole-milk.jpg


That's what I used as a DYI solution.

Sorry for sounding like such a douche, but that picture really isn't very nice. Especially the orange snow really bothers me.

The helmet, boot and back of his jacket (the flap or something?) are really blown out.

I was trying to give critique, but it may have sounded a bit hard. Sorry bra, just keep going. The framing is really nice and you absolutely nailed the action shot and focus!
 
It's funny your starting about umbrella's, I just got mine in today!

I got this:

2 Two meter light stands (actually really good build quality! Pleasently surpised!) - 12€

2 Umbrella swivel mount+cold shoe (metal!) - 10$/7€

2 White Umbrella's (84cm) - 15€

So that's a whole set for 37€! Plus another 30$/20€ for a duo-pack of RF-603's and for under 60€ I have a really nice lighting setup. Of course I don't expect that it last forever, but it's much-much better build quality than I supposed it would be. Especially the lightstands are really good considering they're 6€ a piece. Pretty much all metal, except for the locks, but who gives a fuck? Even the locks on (lower-end) Manfrotto tripods aren't metal but plastic.
 
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