Flash guns

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

I had a chat with Tom the other night about using flash guns. But I can't remember any of it.
I've been having a look on t'internet at different flashes and completely confused myself. what I'm after is a flash I can use stuck to the camera for portrait type photos and a way of using the flash (or two, or three) when not stuck to the camera when I'm underground. so, I need triggers, right? but what flash guns should I go for (bearing in mind I currently haven't got a clue how to set up a flash) and what sort of triggers do I need to go with said flash guns.
I'm using a canon 600D if that makes any difference!
Once I've got everything I need I can start to have a play and try an work it all out

[Anthony Britner]

You need triggers, yes. Yongnuo RF-603C

flashguns lots, of choice, I use a yongnuo Yn560

oh there is no automatc control with any of them. it's all manual adjustment

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

Thanks Ant.
I'd already had a look at those yongnuo flashes. what do you think of them? is the build quality any good?
I'm obviously not expecting anything fantastic for that sort of price!

[Anthony Britner]

Well better to have a low cost flash that is not too expensive to replace than say a canon flashgun for underground use.  mine is somewhat battered now but still works fine.

the YN560III has a built in wireless trigger. (yongnuo RF603 compatible)

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

sorry for all the dumbass questions, but I literally have no idea when it comes to flash....

so, if I buy a couple of YN560III, I only need one trigger to stick on the hotshoe of the camera, but none for the flashes themselves, right?

Yongnuo flashes seem to get a pretty good write up, so I'll have to order a couple

[Anthony Britner]

That is correct. Worth getting 2 trigers though, one for the camera one for spare/ remote control for self portraits etc.

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

Awesome. Thanks Ant!!

[Anthony Britner]

Also look at the YN565EX. it can be controlled by the camera when attached to the hotshoe (useful for everyday use), or  used manually when attached to a trigger. The automatic mode will not work though if it's on top of a trigger on top of the camera though.

[Tony Salusbury]

I've bought 4 Yongnuo 560 IV's and 2 Rf-603 triggers. Pretty chuffed with them for the money.

[Joel Colk]

More than a few cavers are using the Yongnuo 560's at the moment

They are basically flashes with the radio triggers built in so you don't have to use the extra Rf-603 triggers to attach to the hotshoe, makes sense when they cost under £50!

I’m still using four flashes with the Rf-603 triggers, they do me for now.

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

I've got a couple of the 560 mk4 too. I must have watched half a dozen reviews for them on youtube and everyone was raving about them. Some went as far as saying they're better than the equivalent canon flash that they're blatantly ripping off

[Joel Colk]

Yonguno have taken things a bit further with their "cannon rips"

For half the price of a canon lens you can bag one of these: eBay

Review here:  Review

[Tony Salusbury]

Twat. I just bought a 50mm Canon lens a few weeks ago. Didn't know YN were cloning.

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

fook. I've not long bought one too. Mine was second hand though for £55. Reviews are impressive! I might just add one to the kit at that price