What is a good flash for the EOS R?

[Genobkk]

I heard a few people talk about the Godox V860II I don’t know much about flashes but would like to buy something I can grow into. I know cannon makes many as well. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Allanling]

Yes. Go for Godox. Cheap and good and they have quite complete eco system

 

[Andy01]

I heard a few people talk about the Godox V860II I don’t know much about flashes but would like to buy something I can grow into. I know cannon makes many as well. Any suggestions would be great.

The Godox V range are basically the rechargeable Li-ion battery version of the TT range at a much higher price. If budget is tight look at a TT658-C - it is basically a Godox equivalent of a Canon 600EX-RT and takes AA batteries. Li-ion is good for faster recycle times but it depends whether you need that or not.

You can also buy a Godox RT trigger relatively cheaply if that is something that interests you.

If in the US I think Adorama sells a rebranded version of the Godox stuff with US support.

Colin

 

[johnnyandedgar]

Use a Canon flash based on your requirements.

johnnyandedgar

 

[zman2596]

I heard a few people talk about the Godox V860II I don’t know much about flashes but would like to buy something I can grow into. I know cannon makes many as well. Any suggestions would be great.

The Godox V range are basically the rechargeable Li-ion battery version of the TT range at a much higher price. If budget is tight look at a TT658-C - it is basically a Godox equivalent of a Canon 600EX-RT and takes AA batteries. Li-ion is good for faster recycle times but it depends whether you need that or not.

You can also buy a Godox RT trigger relatively cheaply if that is something that interests you.

If in the US I think Adorama sells a rebranded version of the Godox stuff with US support.

Colin

I agree. I started with the TT685 and its been fine. It has all the same functionality. I'm kind of over the rechargeable batteries though a little bit now. I'm looking at the new round head V1, but may just get a V860 and save a little money.

 

[David Hull]

I heard a few people talk about the Godox V860II I don’t know much about flashes but would like to buy something I can grow into. I know cannon makes many as well. Any suggestions would be great.

It looks like everyone favors the Chinese flashes -- can't beat them for the price, I guess.

FWIW: I picked up the Canon 430EXIII-RT specifically to carry in my small camera bag with the EOS R kit. It is not as big as the 600-RT and works well. I chose this because I had a pair of 600-RT's already and if I were going to add another flash, I wanted to be able to use it as an additional light (taking advantage of the radio control features) with the lights I already while saving a bit on size and weight.

I would recommend the 430 as a good match for this body for those who are trying to hold the weight and bulk down.

--
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drhull
SmugMug: http://davidhull.smugmug.com/

 

[JustUs7]

I heard a few people talk about the Godox V860II I don’t know much about flashes but would like to buy something I can grow into. I know cannon makes many as well. Any suggestions would be great.

It looks like everyone favors the Chinese flashes -- can't beat them for the price, I guess.

FWIW: I picked up the Canon 430EXIII-RT specifically to carry in my small camera bag with the EOS R kit. It is not as big as the 600-RT and works well. I chose this because I had a pair of 600-RT's already and if I were going to add another flash, I wanted to be able to use it as an additional light (taking advantage of the radio control features) with the lights I already while saving a bit on size and weight.

I would recommend the 430 as a good match for this body for those who are trying to hold the weight and bulk down.

 

[eruditorum]

The Canon flashes are great, but I would also point you toward the Godox (Flashpoint if you are in the US) system, simply because you note that you want something you can grow with. You can start with just one flash on your camera, but then add a remote for ~$40 and get the flash off the camera. As you grow, you can add another speedlight, or the bigger (AD200, AD300, AD400, etc) lights and they will all integrate seamlessly with that same trigger.

It's a really well thought out system, and why I went with the Flashpoint system instead of Canon. Once you start wanting to add the bigger lights in, everything is much simpler if they are all working on the same system.

 

[Steve Rogers]

Canon 430 RT or 600RT (even used) or Profoto A1 if you want something well made and consistent, and will last. You can grow into it it it will last you several generations of camera bodies. Like a tripod, buy once and have no regrets.

--
Steve Rogers

 

[Andy01]

Use a Canon flash based on your requirements.

johnnyandedgar

What requirements favour a Canon flash specifically ?

Colin

 

[Andy01]

I heard a few people talk about the Godox V860II I don’t know much about flashes but would like to buy something I can grow into. I know cannon makes many as well. Any suggestions would be great.

It looks like everyone favors the Chinese flashes -- can't beat them for the price, I guess.

In Australia a Canon 600 EX RT + Canon trigger costs AU$900 (around US$580). My Godox TT 685-C + Godox X2T-C (trigger) cost me about AU$215 (around US$138).

It is hard to argue with that kind of saving on something with very similar functionality - I could replace it 3 times and still be ahead.

My previous flashes were Canon 430 EX (original - 15 years old) and Canon 270 EX ii (still have), and both were good flashes. Not knocking Canon at all, but it comes at a significantly premium.

FWIW: I picked up the Canon 430EXIII-RT specifically to carry in my small camera bag with the EOS R kit. It is not as big as the 600-RT and works well. I chose this because I had a pair of 600-RT's already and if I were going to add another flash, I wanted to be able to use it as an additional light (taking advantage of the radio control features) with the lights I already while saving a bit on size and weight.

Godox's TT350 (or Li-ion rechargeable equivalent) is effectively the Godox equivalent of the 430 EX iii-RT, but for a fraction of the price.

I would recommend the 430 as a good match for this body for those who are trying to hold the weight and bulk down.

Colin

 

[Son of Thunder]

if you shoot portraits the 470 canon it is a great great flash. it automatically bounces the flash from the perfect angle

 

[Steve Rogers]

Cheaper is not always better, and usually isn’t. Sometimes there must be a standard that you are willing to accept for both quality and support. If you have to buy 3 of everything to insure reliability, what is the point? Why spend several thousands on quality equipment, and cheap out on on the flash? I just don’t get it...

 

[Andy01]

if you shoot portraits the 470 canon it is a great great flash. it automatically bounces the flash from the perfect angle

Except that most reports indicate that it is a bit of a gimmick and is slow and doesn't work very well, and the 470 tends to have been heavily discounted as a result.

Colin

 

[Andy01]

Cheaper is not always better, and usually isn’t.

I tend to agree. Godox seems to have developed a pretty solid reputation so far for producing decent quality gear, and they do provide frequent firmware updates to ensure that their gear remains compatible with the newer cameras (unlike many others)

Sometimes there must be a standard that you are willing to accept for both quality and support. If you have to buy 3 of everything to insure reliability, what is the point?

Again I agree, but I am hoping that with my fairly infrequent use, the Godox gear will last a long time and I will not have to buy 3 or 4 of everything.

Why spend several thousands on quality equipment, and cheap out on on the flash?

Well, it depends on the usage scenario. I don't often use my flash, especially the big one (sometimes carry the little 270 EX ii just so that I have a flash for fill etc if I need it), so it is hard to justify spending AU$900 on something I don't often use.

Take spare batteries for example - I always buy genuine Canon. Why ? Because the entire kit bag is completely useless without a battery, and I always carry a spare battery. Many people cheap out and buy cheap 3rd party batteries. But the difference in price between buying one spare Canon LP-E6N and a knock-off LP-E6 isn't nearly $700 either.

Another example might be power tools. A cordless drill gets used frequently and often for heavier work, so I buy a tradesman quality tool. I bought a little multi-tool for cutting out some tile grout during a kitchen reno - it was going to be used for about 30 minutes and (probably) seldom used again, so I bought a cheap Ryobi tool with a 3 year warranty. The tool survived my initial use and has been used once since almost 18 months later (again for a 10 minute job).

It also depends on the nature of the usage - I will not buy a $20 orbital sander to sand a large tabletop back to bare wood since it would take many hours. I buy a large heavy duty belt sander for such a job as it gets the job done in maybe 30 minutes.

With something like a flash - a Godox TT685-C has almost identical features and power (and recycle time) to a Canon 600 EX RT. So the nature of usage scenario doesn't really apply (at least not for me) because they can both do basically the same job, the same way to a very similar standard. The same would not a apply to a $300 3rd party MF lens vs a $2000 Canon L series AF lens - they just don't so the same job to the same standard.

Sure the Canon would be a better option for a pro or very frequent flash user who uses it all the time, and potentially to make an income from (a bit like the tradesman grade power tool), but for me - I just don't use a flash enough (and it is only personal use, no income involved) to justify buying the "tradesman grade tool".

My 15 year old Canon 430 EX (original) was like-new when I sold it recently. The only reason I replaced it was that it wasn't 100% compatible with the newer cameras (6D ii and M5) - it worked OK but a lot of the functions and menu options were not available on the older flash. So if I have to replace the Godox after 10 years (even 7-8 years) to get something better or more compatible with whatever cameras are around then, so be it.

If the Canon was a 50% premium (or maybe even double the price) I probably would buy Canon (as I prefer OEM stuff), but an extra $700 (nearly 4½ times the price) - I don't think so.

I just don’t get it...

Does that help you get it ?

Colin

 

[Steve Rogers]

No, but I guess that is why we have choices. And yes I have owned Godox and Flaspoint.

 

[ZX11]

if you shoot portraits the 470 canon it is a great great flash. it automatically bounces the flash from the perfect angle

Except that most reports indicate that it is a bit of a gimmick and is slow and doesn't work very well, and the 470 tends to have been heavily discounted as a result.

Colin

I thought the 470 was lower power flash than the 430. You give up power for the AI. No free ride even in flashes.

I have a Yonguo YN-E3-?? for triggering two 430 flashes remotely. Works well but lots of batteries to install.

 

[Andy01]

if you shoot portraits the 470 canon it is a great great flash. it automatically bounces the flash from the perfect angle

Except that most reports indicate that it is a bit of a gimmick and is slow and doesn't work very well, and the 470 tends to have been heavily discounted as a result.

Colin

I thought the 470 was lower power flash than the 430. You give up power for the AI. No free ride even in flashes.

Well I neither suggested the 470, nor indicated that it was more powerful than a 430. A quick Google suggests that it is and Canon has stuck with their naming convention. Perhaps a slower cycle time ?

Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI Flash Compared to the Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT Flash

Is the Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI Flash right for you? Learn all you need to know in The-Digital-Picture.com's review!

www.the-digital-picture.com

I have a Yonguo YN-E3-?? for triggering two 430 flashes remotely. Works well but lots of batteries to install.

 

[Son of Thunder]

if you shoot portraits the 470 canon it is a great great flash. it automatically bounces the flash from the perfect angle

Except that most reports indicate that it is a bit of a gimmick and is slow and doesn't work very well, and the 470 tends to have been heavily discounted as a result.

Colin

It works well with my 80D. I am enjoying mine

 

[Steve W]

Godox/Flashpoint vs Canon. Depends on what your use is. If its a main on camera flash I would choose either the Canon 600 Ex-RT or Godox TT685C because each can take off the shelf AA cells and an external battery pack like a CP-4 or which can take 8-AA cells or even a larger external Li-Ion pack because they have a port for the external connection.

The V860-C II and the V1 have great Li-on cells but won't attach to an external battery pack but you can buy extras if you need really long life.

The Godox/Flashpoint allow you to also use the same radio transmitter system for larger light like the AD200, AD360-II, AD400 Pro and even the AD600 and AD600 Pro. A good way to get larger light at a reasonable cost.

I believe there are some lights you can get that are compatible with the Canon RT system but I am not familiar with them. You can also buy Yong Nuo receivers that are RT compatible that you can attach to some flashes/strobes as well.

I use both systems. I started with Canon because back when the EX-RT came out there were no real competitors and they have lasted forever and been really robust.

Got involved with Godox/Flashpoint when I started shooting Sony along side my Canons and the Sony flashes had no radio capability. So I also got Canon compatible Godox master triggers that would work so I could then us the Godox/Flashpoint flashes with both systems.

Personally I prefer the Canon's quality a little better but would not hesitate to recommend the Godox/Flashpoint without much hesitation. The new Vi1 is improved on it quality and the new AD400 Pro large strobe is very niece as well.

Sorry for the long poist.