I want to shoot some beach swimsuit/fashion photos this summer, want to be able to flash fill the model using TTL metering with my Canon T4i camera. Should I just write a $250 check for the Canon Speedlite 430EX II, or is there a cheaper alternative? I see off-brand flashes for $50-$80 but I don't think they do TTL metering; I want a flash that can communicate automagically with my camera for no-brain flash exposure. I read somewhere that I could use my built-in flash on my T4i as a master, then use of a cheap $50-80 non-TTL flash as a slave, but wouldn't that set up still leave me with improper automagic exposure that I would otherwise get by just using the Speedlite and its TTL metering?
wow. i had seen another YongNuo for like $70 but it was not E-TTL. Are you saying this $100 YongNuo would do E-TTL with my Canon T4i just like the name brand Canon Speedlite would, viz the flash would work seamlessly with my T4i's flash exposure system? If so I will go with this YongNuo, save some cash.
i really like my 430EXI. it's what i use to shoot weddings. i have a 580EXI as backup but rarely use it. the 430 is smaller/lighter and has enough power.
Randall_Oelerich wrote: wow. i had seen another YongNuo for like $70 but it was not E-TTL. Are you saying this $100 YongNuo would do E-TTL with my Canon T4i just like the name brand Canon Speedlite would, viz the flash would work seamlessly with my T4i's flash exposure system? If so I will go with this YongNuo, save some cash.
Basically, yes... with the exception that it can't be adjusted with the Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter (or at least that's what I've been told, but it hasn't been verified).
one thing to remember when shooting beach/swimsuit is often you don't want what the meter is telling you. So having TTL might not help you much if you end up shooting manually most of the time. That said, if the price of the YN with E-TTL is really that low, may as well go for it! prices on strobe/speedlight gear keep dropping and I keep cringing when I remember what I paid for stuff a few years ago. Enjoy
That's not a term that gets used much! It works here though.
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