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Need Flash advice

malofx

malofx

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 22, 2012
293
2,133
Los Angeles
Hello everyone, my flash recently took a crap.

I have an event tomorrow so I'm looking for some flash advice.

I have a Canon 5D Mark IV
I need of a flash for weddings, one that mounts on the hot shoe, my budget isn't very big at the moment, and I was hoping to spend less than $400.

Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thank you in advanced.

Oscar
 
Check Photo Mag web site for reports. Important specs will be power (watt-seconds) (try and get the most bang for the buck) and recharge time between flashes, Also swivels for bounce flash. Not up to date on current models. Does your camera have any data or control circuitry that links to the flash that needs to be compatible.?
 
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That’s tricky. I like to stick with major brands to ensure compability. I use a Nikon for my Nikon cameras. I had the 430 when I shot Canon and I’d be inclined to go with whatever flash they have out at the moment. But not sure the price.

I’d love a Profoto A1 or B1 but those are way above $400. They create beautiful light though.
 
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I only used Nikon flashes with my Nikon dslrs but since switching to Fuji, I picked up a couple of flashes from Godox, one for my Fuji and one for Sony. I also got a Godox transmitter for Fuji for trying off camera flash which will control both flashes regardless of system and it works really well. Reliability and quality are up there with the Nikon flashes for a good bit less money.
 
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I have youngnos 2x plus radio trigger also a pair of godox high speed sync flashes for my fuji.

Youngnos are completely manual, godox TTL.

Given the choice, while both are very capable for my usage, I prefer the assistance that TTL gives me.
 
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malofx said:
Hello everyone, my flash recently took a crap.

I have an event tomorrow so I'm looking for some flash advice.

I have a Canon 5D Mark IV
I need of a flash for weddings, one that mounts on the hot shoe, my budget isn't very big at the moment, and I was hoping to spend less than $400.

Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thank you in advanced.

Oscar
Click to expand...
I would recommend the Godox line. I have had zero trouble with any of their stuff when following the instructions. The 860 series flash will mount in the hot shoe, is powered by a lithium rechargeable battery, and can also be controlled wirelessly.

The advantage of the Godox (or Flashpoint from Adorama) line is one remote to rule them all. If you later expand to a couple of AD200s, the same remote can drive them. Score an AD400pro? The same remote drives them it also. Wake up one morning and decide that Canon is rubbish and switch to Nikon? Buy a new remote and all all the stuff without buying new lights. NOTE: The hot shoe lights will not work in another brand's hot shoe for obvious reasons, but can still be fired wirelessly with the remote.
 
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"Event tomorrow" well am couple days late. That was a tight timeline for a decision. I would have said rent if possible, then take your time to decide what you wanted/needed long term. Alternately, if not time to rent, would be buying locally as even Amazon Prime couldn't meet that timetable. Who has the best return policy if you later discover that not really what you need long term as "system X" is a better alternative.

How did it go?
 
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So I was able to borrow one from a friend, but wasn't happy with it. So I'm back to the drawing table.
[doublepost=1553528967][/doublepost]Here is the situation, I've had an Olympus flash, I paid around $500 for it, like 8 years ago. I just started using it about 2 years ago, the flash had been working fine with the 5D Mark IV, but after it no longer works with it, but the flash does work with the Canon 80D.

Other flashes don't work with the 5D, it could be that I dropped the 5D, but when I sent it out for repair, they sent it back saying there was nothing wrong with it, the 5D does fire a Canon flash, which is what they tested the 5D with. Now I am puzzled, because it should work with any flash, I'm thinking if I should send it out a third time.

What do you guys think its the problem?
 
I'm having a similar problem with my Nikon flash set up too. It worked fine with my D90 but for some reason its not with my D750.

I was thinking that since the old SB flash is paired with a newer camera that its not working the way it should. Remember that parts of this gear is firmware and if that isn't programmed correctly, it could miss fire or not respond to your camera. I was thinking that the next time I need a flash for a shoot I would rent one to see how it will respond.

You can check to see if there is some firmware you ned to install? Or see what Canon did on the invoice? Did they update it? Check the connectors?

Maybe you can try to rent one and see if that will work. Possibly you could have a Flash that for some reason doesn't respond. It might work with other Canon's and just not yours (if that makes sense)?
 
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Renting or borrowing a friend's flash - same model if possible - but really, any flash is an excellent idea. Will help isolate if it is a flash issue or a camera issue. I think on the other thread, you noted that it was an Olympus flash, not Canon, worked prior to camera repair and still works with other Canon models. During the repair, did they update your camera's firmware? May not show on the invoice, so check firmware version on your camera if most recent (current???) and research date it was created which will suggest if original firmware or based on timeframe if you did it. (I just upgraded to a Sony a7rIII a couple weeks ago and still manufactured with the original firmware, so part of the setup - omitted step in official setup instructions - as discovered certain features "out the box" didn't work was updating the firmware and discovered was 2 update versions behind) Normally firmware updates are backwards compatible, so if they updated the firmware during repair it shouldn't affect Canon flashes, but 3rd party flash can't be assured.

Less likely is flash firmware. Not certain if it can (or in this case, should) be done. Never did with my Nikon SB flashes, but did with Pocket Wizard (TT1 and TT5) triggers to support newer models. Just noticed that there is a firmware update for my Yongnuo YN460 IV, but I recently switched to Godox due to non-firmware quality control issues in recent Yongnuo pre-mature failure after light use (and no drops) where appears a transistor fails and won't turn on.

Yongnou has a criticism of losing flash power over time and as a result I rotated my three when replacing following accidental damage with C being the lesser used and oldest. My last 2 "A" group suddenly wouldn't turn on when at a job site. These flashes are so inexpensive that if is cheaper to buy another one than repair - but I wasn't going to keep forking out $72 every couple of months. Finally, I heard something loose, rattling around in the on-camera controller, and before it gave out, switch to Godox.
 
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I have a friend who loves her Flashpoint system, which I believe are Godox rebranded specifically for Adorama. I have no idea the pricepoints or what kind of products they have, but she raves about them. She also shoots Canon.
 
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tizeye said:
Renting or borrowing a friend's flash - same model if possible - but really, any flash is an excellent idea. Will help isolate if it is a flash issue or a camera issue. I think on the other thread, you noted that it was an Olympus flash, not Canon, worked prior to camera repair and still works with other Canon models. During the repair, did they update your camera's firmware? May not show on the invoice, so check firmware version on your camera if most recent (current???) and research date it was created which will suggest if original firmware or based on timeframe if you did it. (I just upgraded to a Sony a7rIII a couple weeks ago and still manufactured with the original firmware, so part of the setup - omitted step in official setup instructions - as discovered certain features "out the box" didn't work was updating the firmware and discovered was 2 update versions behind) Normally firmware updates are backwards compatible, so if they updated the firmware during repair it shouldn't affect Canon flashes, but 3rd party flash can't be assured.

Less likely is flash firmware. Not certain if it can (or in this case, should) be done. Never did with my Nikon SB flashes, but did with Pocket Wizard (TT1 and TT5) triggers to support newer models. Just noticed that there is a firmware update for my Yongnuo YN460 IV, but I recently switched to Godox due to non-firmware quality control issues in recent Yongnuo pre-mature failure after light use (and no drops) where appears a transistor fails and won't turn on.

Yongnou has a criticism of losing flash power over time and as a result I rotated my three when replacing following accidental damage with C being the lesser used and oldest. My last 2 "A" group suddenly wouldn't turn on when at a job site. These flashes are so inexpensive that if is cheaper to buy another one than repair - but I wasn't going to keep forking out $72 every couple of months. Finally, I heard something loose, rattling around in the on-camera controller, and before it gave out, switch to Godox.
Click to expand...


Camera had not been updated and flash stopped working, then I took it for repair and still was not updated, and flash was not working, when I got it back the second time the tech and myself decided to update the firmware on the camera, but the flash still didn't work.

The flash works on the Canon 80D, but not on the 5D MIV.

I borrowed a friend's flash and it wasn't working, this was the 5th flash trying on the 5D, still nothing, then we used the 6th flash which was a cheap $50 dollar flash, and that worked, we then tried the 5th flash once more and it started working.

I really think something broke when I dropped it, the tech said that if they can't fix it, they will replace it.

The main problem, the Canon flash does work, that's nice, but I think that the 5D should work with any flash, and if something is broken, I would want it to get fixed before the warranty is over.

Cheers
 
I don't have an event, but the event passed and realized (again) that the onboard flash just won't cut it.

I had 24 people getting certificates in a well lit church. I made the mistake of shooting in straight AUTO and got the 'busy' message more times than I could count.

I have a Canon 60D. Looking at either the 430 EX-III or the 470 EX-AI. I am also budget conscious as I haven't done any paid gigs so spending for a 'great' flash is pointless.

(I have updated to the latest firmware and bought a new SD card. And yes, I know that doesn't have anything to do with flash refresh rate; just added for information purposes.)

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I thought it was better than creating a new thread for the same question.
 
jbachandouris said:
I don't have an event, but the event passed and realized (again) that the onboard flash just won't cut it.
Click to expand...

IMO the only time the onboard flash is worth using is as a trigger for an off camera flash. I would rather crank ISO than use onboard flash.
 
jbachandouris said:
I don't have an event, but the event passed and realized (again) that the onboard flash just won't cut it.

I have a Canon 60D. Looking at either the 430 EX-III or the 470 EX-AI. I am also budget conscious as I haven't done any paid gigs so spending for a 'great' flash is pointless.


Sorry to hijack the thread, but I thought it was better than creating a new thread for the same question.
Click to expand...
If you are budget conscious, get the Canon version of the $110 Godox TT685 (4 AA rechargeable batteries)/$179 Godox TT V860 (lithium rechargeable battery) identical output power (greater than either of the Canon models) and have TTL capability. For about a few dollars more than the $250 for either of the Canon flashes, you can get 2 of the TT685 plus either the Godox XPro Trigger $69 (preferred) or the older Godox X1T $46 and you have multi flash off camera capability...or just use one flash off camera, and either way has the convenience of on-camera power adjustment of the remote flashes. The reason the XPro is preferred is the larger screen laying out the controls and better menu, however it does lack the pass through hotshoe for a flash or other accessory mounted (video mic) on top of it that the X1T has.
 
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