Asking for recommendations on speedlite for Canon 80D: I am taking the next step in learning to use my Canon 80D. I would like to improve my photos by learning how to use extra...

karenmr

I am taking the next step in learning to use my Canon 80D. I would like to improve my photos by learning how to use extra lighting.I plan on taking lots of indoor grandchild and holiday photos and would like to purchase a speedlite. I am not sure how to judge what I will need. Right now all I have is the in camera flash. I don't want more than i will ever need, but also want something I can grow with. Any suggestions?

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

karenmr wrote:

I am taking the next step in learning to use my Canon 80D. I would like to improve my photos by learning how to use extra lighting.I plan on taking lots of indoor grandchild and holiday photos and would like to purchase a speedlite. I am not sure how to judge what I will need. Right now all I have is the in camera flash. I don't want more than i will ever need, but also want something I can grow with. Any suggestions?

A used 580 EX? or a Yongnuo YN-560 II?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

If you want to save some money. The Yongnuo Speed light #YN968EX-RT for Canon is recommended. Price $123.00, Brand New from B&H. I have a Yongnuo flash for my Nikon, which of course is a different model. Good luck.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Canon offers a line of speedlights that the primary difference from one model to the next is the amount of light output. More light translated to more range and better ability to bounce the flash. I have a 580EX and am very happy with it.

Yongnuo Also offers a line of Canon compatible flashes for a lot less cash. I have no experience with them, so I can't speak to their quality. But for less money, I would be willing to give them a shot.

One other thing you will likely want is ether a stand for the flash, if you want to get it off camera, or a flash bracket, such as a Stroboframe. I wouldn't count on putting anything beyond the smaller flashes in the hot shoe.

Check B&H Photo, ebay, Amazon, etc.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

[quote=ejones0310I wouldn't count on putting anything beyond the smaller flashes in the hot shoe. [/quote]

580 EX, 580 EX II work just fine on the hot shoe, although remote can be even better, especially with a controller.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I used the original 580EX for about 12 years. It does everything Canon's top (then) flash would need to do. But, prices on used 580EX IIs have been coming down. Whenever I saw a 580EX II come up for sale here, I bought it and sold my older model (I have 3). I suggest looking at used models for the 580EX II. If you want to spend less, look at the older model.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Peterff wrote:

580 EX, 580 EX II work just fine on the hot shoe, although remote can be even better, especially with a controller.

I used my 580EX on my old Digital Rebel in the hot shoe. After a while, the hot shoe became loose and the flash wobbled. Perhaps it was an isolated problem on the Rebel, but now that I have the stroboframe, I'll use it instead. The stroboframe also lets me rotate the camera body and still have the flash at the 12:00 position.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Yongnuo685 or 568EX - both have High Speed sync to give you more flexibility....dirt cheap and they work.

568ex is cheaper but doesnt have wireless trigger built in. Either will keep you busy learning.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

ejones0310 wrote:

I used my 580EX on my old Digital Rebel in the hot shoe. After a while, the hot shoe became loose and the flash wobbled. Perhaps it was an isolated problem on the Rebel, but now that I have the stroboframe, I'll use it instead. The stroboframe also lets me rotate the camera body and still have the flash at the 12:00 position.

Have done both, although not so much on the stroboframe, not had any problems with a Rebel T3i, nor 580 EX II. Don't use the 580 EX on camera, but not much difference except in the locking mechanism.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

If you want to learn using flash, I would go with a used Canon speedlite. 580 ex or exII. It would be everything you need to go through the learning process. If you start out using an off brand flash, and something doesn't work out as expected, you'll never know if it was a problem with the flash or your settings.

The locking mechanism of the exII is quick and positive!

baygolf Loc: DMV

I would recommend that you get a Speedlite in the 430EX Refurbished range. My experience with Yongnuo is that they are not reliable.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I suggest that you purchase a Syl Arena's book" Speedliters Handbook". I tells you everything you need to know about using speedlites, including multiple off camera lights. I found it to be very helpful.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

bweber wrote:

I suggest that you purchase a Syl Arena's book" Speedliters Handbook". I tells you everything you need to know about using speedlites, including multiple off camera lights. I found it to be very helpful.

Agreed! 👍👍👍

bfstuff

karenmr wrote:

Right now all I have is the in camera flash. I don't want more than i will ever need, but also want something I can grow with. Any suggestions?

Have you tried the in-camera flash? You say you you don't want more than you'll need, so try that, & use it until it doesn't work for you. Then figure out why it didn't work for what you tried to do, & you will know what you need the new flash to do that your in-camera flash didn't. Until then you'll just be guessing & wasting your money.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

karenmr wrote:

I am taking the next step in learning to use my Canon 80D. I would like to improve my photos by learning how to use extra lighting.I plan on taking lots of indoor grandchild and holiday photos and would like to purchase a speedlite. I am not sure how to judge what I will need. Right now all I have is the in camera flash. I don't want more than i will ever need, but also want something I can grow with. Any suggestions?

Actually, no flash is more than one ever needs, a flash is a flash, but a flash with more power will let you shoot more versatile and a flash should also be really convenient! So, the 600 EX RT is the way to go! You can save a few bucks, if you get the one from Yungnuo, it is very similar, almost like Canon's model!