amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Your best bet will be a Canon flash, to be certain all works as it should, is totally compatible, for reliability and quality construction.

Choose from any of the Canon "EX" flashes.... current or previous models: 200EX-series, 300EX-series, 400EX-series and top-of-the-line 500EX- and now 600EX-series. The 200EX-series are the most compact, while the higher the number the more powerful and advanced the flash.

Canon flash can be very simple to use... or as complex as one likes. They can be used singly or in multi-flash setups. For multiple flash what's on the camera needs to be capable of controlling the other flashes, called a "master". Generally speaking, primarily the 500 & 600EX series can do that. Most of the other flashes can only serve as "slaves" and be controlled by those (500/600EX models also can be switched to slave function). There is also a special very small flash, the 90EX, which can act as a master, as well as modules called ST-E2 or ST-E3-RT which can control off-camera flash.

Most of the Canon flash off-camera are controlled "optically"... They communicate with each other using near IR light. This requires line-of-sight setup and somewhat limits distances.

More recently Canon has introduced several models with the "RT" designation, which stands for "radio triggered" and controlled. These have a greater range and flexibility in location. They don't need to be line-of-sight to function. Currently there are 430EX III RT (slave only) and 600EX II RT model flashes. There are also some specialty such as a dual macro flash and the controller module with RT functionality.

Yongnuo is a third party brand making some RT models that are supposed to be compatible, too. Overall, I've heard pretty good things about Yongnuo and I bet you can find detailed reviews of their products online.

Other accessories that I virtually always use with flash include a flash bracket. I have several, but a basic "generic" bracket is what I use most (a cheap copy of a Stroboframe). This puts the flash off to one side and a little higher up to make for better images (less redeye, better shadow effects). To use a flash bracket requires an "off camera shoe cord" that connects the flash to the camera's hot shoe. There are both Canon and third party cords available.

I also frequently use a flash modifier, such as a diffuser for portraits. Another thing I often use is a flash extender, which is basically a Fresnel lens positioned in front of the flash on a bracket that considerably increases the distance it reaches, used with longer telephoto lenses when photographing wildlife.

How much of this stuff you want to get into is up to you, of course, and might be influenced by what your grand daughter likes to photograph. A quality, good and useful flash is a great starting point and will be a very nice gift. And it depends upon how much you want to spend. The two Canon "RT" models I mentioned above are currently on sale.... the 600EX II RT is $479 ($100 discount) and the 430EX III RT is $249 ($50 discount). For comparison sake, the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II is $109.

This is probably a lot more than you wanted to know. But it might help when you go shopping, with all the different options out there.

Personally I use three Canon 550EX and three Canon 580EX II flashes, along with Canon MT-24EX Macro Twinlite and MR-14EX Macro Ringlite. And I use the ST-E2 controller and several of Canon's compact battery packs to supplement the batteries in the flashes themselves. I also have and use five Norman monolights... more powerful "studio strobes", along with a number of stands, booms, backdrops, light modifiers such as reflectors, soft boxes, umbrellas, etc.

I'm sure I'll eventually update to the newer "RT" model flashes... That's a much better method of off-camera control than the older optical type. However, some of my Canon flashes are over fifteen years old and still work great with newer Canon cameras.

PhotosBySteve

I second this suggestion! It can't be beat, especially for battery life!

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

You can get a Yongnuo for less than 1/2 the price of a Canon and it has all of the power that body will ever require for on-camera work. The one I am referring to is the YN EX568II . It is ETTL compatible and communicates nicely with my Canons. It is an older model but less than $100 new. Power is = or > than the Canon 580. Also have an older 430 EXII which has proven to be darn near bullet proof. Bought it used 8 years ago and it functions as it did when it was new. Also a little smaller if size is an issue. Keep in mind the 430 can be used as a slave only, not a master while the yongnuo can do both. Not an issue if off-camera flash is not in the future, but a very nice feature to have when you need it. If you do not need ETTL, almost any flash will work. Avoid flashes of yesteryear unless you are savvy about voltages.

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

thanks again to all.. .. will keep investigating ..... sssooo many choices

ggab Loc: ?

Are you prepared to spend $300+ on a Canon speedlight when comparable or 90% comparable flashes are available from 3rd parties for roughly 100 to 150.00?
If so, can I be your grandson? :)

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

FWIW I use lithium rechargeables. I have 2 sets, one in the flash, one ready to replace them. My flash: Canon 550EX, an oldie but still goodie!

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

You might get something half the price of Canon's offerings with excellent German engineering and PDF manuals free on the web if you check out the Metz Mecablitz line of hot shoe mounted speed lights.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

If looking at used Canon flashes, make sure you don't get an EZ-series flash. Must be an EX.
EZs are for EOS film cameras and will not provide TTL function on digitals.

Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA

Agree w the 430 ex iii but be sure to get the rt version for future proofing.

anotherview Loc: California

480EX II. You may find it used or refurbished for a lower price. Excellent flash unit. She will need no more than it at first.

But I encourage her to consult experts online in order to learn the basics of flash lighting.

Start here: https://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/natural-looking-flash/

The use of flash lighting opens more photo opportunities to the photographer.

Haydon

I own a pair of 600EX-RT's and praise their performance but in the OP's asking, I'd recommend the YN600EX-RT II for budget purposes. I'm completely sold on RF communication when shooting off camera flash and Canon only provides the 600 series using that system. Unfortunately it comes at a high cost. Buying the YN600EX-RT II is just a little over $100.00 and the receiver to remotely trigger, adjust etc for $80.00.

The YN600EX-RT II isn't as robust but the speed-light and trigger in total is less than half of a single speed-light from Canon.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1311157-REG/yongnuo_yn600ex_rt_ii_speedlite_for.html @ $109
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1090139-REG/yongnuo_yn_e3_rt_yongnuo_wireless_speedlite_transmitter.html @ $79.99

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

I have a 6d and first bought the canon 600ex-rt and then the yongnuo trigger, both worked flawlessly and still are. When yongnuo brought out their yn600ex-rt clone I purchased one of them. It too has worked with no problems at all for the last two years and still is. The yongnuo trigger actually has more features than the canon trigger.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I second that.
Godox has the most extensive line on the market, from speedlights to monolights, and they all work together. Most have radio transceivers built in and the new pro tranmitter is soo easy to use.
They don’t copy OEM equipment, they innovate. I really like mine.
Adorama sells them under their Flashpoint brand.

Haydon

Most importantly, the Yongnuo has an IR grid feature. The Canon does not. I have the same setup as you. Yongnuo trigger and Canon 600 EX-RT.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

It's okay. I'm loyal to Canon so I'm aware. I have two flashes. The first one is a Macro Lens Flash. It's is a Meike Macro FED Ring Flash MK-F 110. It's great for photos in a botanical garden and such. My second is an Insignia NS-DCF200. Both are small an can fit comfortably in a camera bag. They aren't obtrusive or intimidating by size. I have a couple of additional points. Make sure you always have plenty of batteries (double A). Make sure you have a flash dedicated to the camera manufacturer. If the hot shoe pins don't align, the flash becomes a paperweight. It's useless. Lastly, invest in a rotating camera frame rig like Stroboframe and a TTL cable to match. When you rotate the camera body to portrait style the flash also can be rotated. This diminishes the shadow effect. I'm glad your granddaughter is learning. She should post her work here too!