Flash for R5 - advice for simplest, most automated option

[pdxphto]

I own a Canon R5 that I am increasingly using for photography at events in dim, indoor settings with people moving around a lot - I typically am taking candid photos of individuals or small groups of people debating with each other, or standard, posed photos of groups. The events are professional, with participants in business attire, and they are often in hotel conference rooms or hallways.

I'm looking for a flash that I can just put on camera, and with minimal effort just have it provide fill flash.

I am primarily a landscape photographer, so I am not familiar with - nor do I have a strong desire to - do a ton of additional work to understand indoor lighting, etc. Having said that, if doing that knowledge building is necessary, I will happily do so - but my base level knowledge is very, very minimal.

I would appreciate advice on what flashes would meet my needs. I would prefer to pay no more than $500. If this question has been answered elsewhere, I would greatly appreciate being directed to those threads. Thank you very much in advance for any guidance!

 

[NAwlins Contrarian]

I own a Canon R5 that I am increasingly using for photography at events in dim, indoor settings with people moving around a lot - I typically am taking candid photos of individuals or small groups of people debating with each other, or standard, posed photos of groups. The events are professional, with participants in business attire, and they are often in hotel conference rooms or hallways.

I'm looking for a flash that I can just put on camera, and with minimal effort just have it provide fill flash.

I am primarily a landscape photographer, so I am not familiar with - nor do I have a strong desire to - do a ton of additional work to understand indoor lighting, etc. Having said that, if doing that knowledge building is necessary, I will happily do so - but my base level knowledge is very, very minimal.

I would appreciate advice on what flashes would meet my needs. I would prefer to pay no more than $500. If this question has been answered elsewhere, I would greatly appreciate being directed to those threads. Thank you very much in advance for any guidance!

I think many of us find the Godox ecosystem to provide a very good value, a lot of flexibility, and a wide range of options. Depending on your preferences for size, power, and other things, options in a TTL-capable shoe-mount flash in a Canon version include:

Godox TT350, currently $76

Godox TT685 II, currently $119

Godox V350 (like TT350 with lithium ion battery pack instead of AAs), currently $143

Godox V860 II, currently $161

Godox V860 III (adds modeling light over V860 II), currently $209

Godox V1, currently $229

Godox V1 Pro, currently $299

Godox V100 (new, coming soon), to be $349

If you're shooting events and may want faster recycle time and more flashes between battery changes, you may be better avoiding the AA-battery models, the TT350 and the TT865 II. All the others use lithium ion battery packs. Of course, those of us who don't use flashes that often and/or that heavily prefer them for precisely the reason that all we need are AA batteries and we don't have to worry about lithium ion battery packs.

Yes, Canon sells a couple of flashes, but you pay a lot more for what you get.

 

[beagle1]

I own a Canon R5 that I am increasingly using for photography at events in dim, indoor settings with people moving around a lot - I typically am taking candid photos of individuals or small groups of people debating with each other, or standard, posed photos of groups. The events are professional, with participants in business attire, and they are often in hotel conference rooms or hallways.

I'm looking for a flash that I can just put on camera, and with minimal effort just have it provide fill flash.

I am primarily a landscape photographer, so I am not familiar with - nor do I have a strong desire to - do a ton of additional work to understand indoor lighting, etc. Having said that, if doing that knowledge building is necessary, I will happily do so - but my base level knowledge is very, very minimal.

I would appreciate advice on what flashes would meet my needs. I would prefer to pay no more than $500. If this question has been answered elsewhere, I would greatly appreciate being directed to those threads. Thank you very much in advance for any guidance!

I use the old old Canon 430EX flash on the Canon R5