![]() If you’re a serious flash photographer, Quantum is undoubtedly a familiar name to you already they are renown for their battery packs as much as they are for their flashes. The Quantum QF8C is almost in another class of equipment (in price and power), but I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention it here. Unfortunately, it does not have high-speed sync. The strobe is powerful, can be triggered by wireless eTTL (though can’t be a command module), has a sync-socket and an external power-pack jack, and costs well under $200. The Yongnuo YN-565EX is flagship of their new TTL line of flashes (they got into the business by building low-cost, manual controlled flashes for “strobists”). Yongnuo is a relatively new player in the flash game, but they have quickly earned a strong reputation for listening to the needs of their customers and designing low-cost, reliable strobes. Though it doesn’t lead in any particular category, it matches the 580ex II in nearly every regard, and has sync and battery-pack sockets. Nissin’s Di866 Mark IIis perhaps the best all-around flash in the group (after the 580ex). The Metz 50 AF-1 offers the same features in a smaller package, for nearly $200 less. It does, however, have a secondary, forward facing flash-head for fill-flash when the main head is being bounced, and a USB port for installing firmware update. The Metz has an 8 full-stop power range, from full power down to 1/256th! Unfortunately, the flash lacks a sync-socket. The only European flash in the lot, the Metz 58 AF-2 is an impressive piece of equipment. While it does offer high-speed sync and wireless eTTL, it lacks the ability to use an external power pack, and it doesn’t have a sync-socket. ![]() The build quality of the flash lags a little behind the others, unfortunately, particularly the plastic hot-shoe foot. The Sigma leads the pack in power output, with a guide-number of 61 m. Sigma’s offering, the EF-610 DG Super (not to be confused with the ST model), is a moderately priced, fully featured flash from a respected Japanese company. However, it does not lead the group in every category.Ĭanon’s 430ex II offers much of the functionality of the 580ex II, but is not quite as powerful, can’t act as control module for wireless eTTL, and doesn’t offer connections for external power supplies or flash sync cords. Of all the flashes mentioned here, the 580ex II has the highest build quality, including dust and weather sealing. Though this system works well in many situations, it requires line-of-sight between the flash and camera, and it is unreliable in bright daylight.Īll of the following flashes are compatible with Canon’s eTTL II flash metering system, and while all of the flashes listed are ALSO compatible with Canon’s wireless eTTL triggering system, not all eTTL flashes are.īattery Life ( Full Power Flashes, Alkaline Batteries)Ĭanon’s 580ex II is the standard by which all other flashes for Canon are measured. In many modern flashes, the communication between the flash and camera can also occur wirelessly, via a series of visible light pre-flashes or infra-red (IR) light. When the light meter determines that the scene has received enough light from the flash, it sends a signal to the flash through the hot-shoe to cut the power. TTL stands for “through the lens”, referring to the fact that the flash output is metered through the lens in real-time during the exposure. Many photographers, especially those working in rapidly changing lighting situations, enjoy working with automatic TTL flash. Below, I’ll compare some of the strongest offerings currently available. While Canon’s 580ex II offers modern features like high-speed sync (HSS) and wireless eTTL capabilities, there are now numerous competitors offering models with very similar functionality, as well as less expensive models with limited features. As usual, your best choice will depend heavily on your shooting style and specific needs. Beyond the obvious options from Canon, there are a variety of other models available from well known brands, as well as some good options from lesser known brands. With the increased demand, the number of flash choices has also grown. Over the past several years, the use of creative, off-camera flash among photographers has exploded, fueled in part by camera manufacturers’ implementation of built-in wireless flash control.
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