topic Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D? in Speedlite Flashes

What would be the best flash for a 6D?

karimkahatt — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:17:08 GMT

I wonder what is the more suitable flash for a 6D? I do indoors (interior design) and general photography

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

amfoto1 — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:34:58 GMT

You can choose from any of the current Canon flashes. It just depends upon how much power you need.

Beginning with the most powerful, they are:

600EX-RT (which has radio triggering capability, for multiple flash, off-camera setups)

580EX II (recently discontinued, but still fairly available... uses optical communication with off-camera/multi flash setups)

430EX II

320EX (which has a video light, too)

270EX II

270EX (recently discontinued, but still pretty widely avail.)

90EX

If using multiple flashes, the 580EX II and 600EX-RT can act as "masters" to control off-camera "slaves". Both of those also can be used as "slaves". The 430EX II, 320EX, and 270EX II all can be used off-camera, too, but as "slaves" only. They cannot act as the "master" controlling other flashes.

There are also ST-E3-RT and ST-E2 flash controller modules, that can act as "masters" to control one or more off-camera flashes. The ST-E3-RT uses radio communication, while the ST-E2 uses optical (near IR light).

The difference between radio and optical communication is that radio can reach farther and is not line-of-sight dependent. Optical communication can be effected by ambient light conditions and is line-of-sight only, limiting placement of off-camera flashes to some extent.

There are also numerous third party flashes and accessories available, with a wide-ranging variety of capabilities.

The reason I'm mentioning all this about multiple flashes and off-camera usage is that interior lighting often involves many flashes and a lot of setup. A friend of mine is a nationally recognized expert at architectural photography... He's got a van full of location lighting gear and often spends many hours setting up the lighting, just to make a couple interior shots.

***********
Alan Myers

San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

Skirball — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:44:26 GMT

If you're doing interior photography and don't intend on dropping a couple thousand dollars, then I'd look at getting an assortment of flashes, most of which are manual generics like Yongnuo. You don't have to buy them all at once, but if you're doing a lot of interiors you're probably going to want at least 4 flashes, with wireless triggers. There are many ways to go about putting together an off-camera flash setup, but my recommendation would be to start with a Canon 430exII, which gives you on-camera eTTL and reliability, and then several Yongnuo 560 mark III. Make sure you get the III, it has built in radio triggers, which will work with a set of Yongnuo RF602s. I'd also start with two micro light stands (I like the Manfroto Nanos), light stand heads (again, Manfrotto), a couple of large umbrellas, and lots of batteries.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

TCampbell — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 22:42:15 GMT

The BIG advantage of radio based flash is that it doesn't require line-of-sight. Optical triggers do. That means with radio, you can hide flash units around corners, through doorways, behind furniture, etc. as needed and it will reliable fire.

A 600EX-RT flash is about $500 per unit. The camera will also need a radio trigger... you can either trigger with another 600EX-RT or you can use the ST-E3-RT trigger (fits in the hot-shoe like a flash, but a bit more compact, has the identical LCD screen and button layout... just no flash on the trigger unit.)

Depending on your needs, you may want to soften the flash by using shoot-through umbrellas, softboxes, etc. (I use both).

If you need to match flash color temperature to interior lighting, you can use color gels. The 600EX-RT flash comes with gel holder and two gels... a light orange and dark orange. One is designed to match the color temperature to interior incandescent (tungsten) lighting and the other is a CTO (color temperature orange) gel which matches sunrise/sunset color temperature.

I did manage to find a company in the UK which pre-cuts Lee brand filter gels to fit the new filter holder that Canon includes with the 600EX-RT (you can buy plain gels and cut out your own -- they apparently made a nice die which cuts the perfect shape) and you can get gels to match any color temperature or createive color you need.

I was a bit surprised that I could not find any company in the US that sold pre-cut gels for the 600. I figured there would be a number of people making and selling these by now.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

jcourtial — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:13:24 GMT

Hi, sorry to jump on the thread but I'm in the exact situation from Karim. 6D and wanting to do interior photography.

Now I've bought 2 YN560 III to start with and light stands, gels, umbrellas. But what I can't get my head around is how do I the transmitter / commander thing.

What do I need to buy to be able to control the settings of each flash from my camera?

I want to take it slowly so don't need TTL to start with, but would like to make sure I dont have to go and change the settings of each flash individually all the time.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

ubiquity — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:33:40 GMT

For anyone picking up on this post the suggestion for a trigger (posted above) is a Yongnuo RF602 to match with the YN560 III

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

amfoto1 — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:21:48 GMT

@jcourtial wrote:
Hi, sorry to jump on the thread but I'm in the exact situation from Karim. 6D and wanting to do interior photography.
Now I've bought 2 YN560 III to start with and light stands, gels, umbrellas. But what I can't get my head around is how do I the transmitter / commander thing.
What do I need to buy to be able to control the settings of each flash from my camera?
I want to take it slowly so don't need TTL to start with, but would like to make sure I dont have to go and change the settings of each flash individually all the time.

Not sure what you mean by "interior photography"...

If you are referring to doing small product shots indoors, such as tabletop studio work, or perhaps tight portraits... 2 190GN flashes will work fine but are about the bare minimum, especially if bounced out of umbrellas or shot through diffusers.

If you are thinking you'll light up a large room, it's nowhere near enough light with two 190GN flashes.

For portraits on location, I use a modest, portable lighting kit of five 320WS monolights... Usually bounced out of umbrellas, sometimes shot through diffusers. My "main light" is actually two of the monolights ganged up into one umbrella: 640WS. I nearly always use a third monolight as a fill on the side opposite the main light, then often use a fourth monolight on a boom as a hair light and/or background light, sometimes the fifth as well. This is far, far more light than you'll get out of a pair of 190GN portable flashes, but is still just barely adequate light for full length portraiture from about 10 or 15 feet away.

I also have three Canon 550EX and three 580EX II flashes (each of which is roughly 190GN) that I use for a variety of other things. Even if I were to use both the monolights and the flashes, I don't think I'd have enough to adequatly light up a very large interior space.

In other words, with just two 190GN flashes you really don't have anywhere near enough flashes to light up an architectural interior much larger than a closet or small bathroom... particularly if bouncing those flashes out of an umbrella (you "lose" roughly half the light when using an umbrella... because you're increasing the distance, spreading the light more, and some of it is being absorbed as well).

Check out a friend of mine's architectural interiors at http://luhnphoto.com/architecture/ Jeff is one of the best in the business!. The trick he accomplishes so well is artificially lighting the scene beautifully, while still managing to make it look natural and inviting. I seem to recall the shot of the interior with the piano took five or six hours to set up and uses some 25 or more light sources of several types, each very carefully placed and balance with each other. This includes replacing each of any existing bulbs, such as those in ceiling recesses and the chandelier in that room, with special bulbs that match the color temp of his broader lighting. At least this particular shot wasn't also trying to balance with exterior light. That was always a real pain with film... it's still extra work, but now much easier with digital post-processing. You can see how well he manages indoor/outdoor balance in some of the other examples he has online.

I don't use any Yongnuo stuff, including the YN560 III, but understand it's a manual flash... not TTL (actually ETTL in Canon lingo). This means that the camera cannot meter the light and automatically reduce or increase the flash exposure as needed (the way it can with all Canon EX and other ETTL-capable flashes). Yes, it appears a YN602 or YN603C unit can trigger it.... but you'd have to go to each flash unit to set or change it's output power or zoom level. Apparently a YN560-TX is a slightly more sophisticated controller unit. It's not TTL/ETTL either, but you can remotely set or change the output power and zoom of as many as six different groups of flashes (each group can be one or more flashes, apparently). It also seems to be usable as a simple trigger with YN602 or 603 modules that are being used to fire other brands of flashes and/or studio strobes/monolights.

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & EXPOSUREMANAGER

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

dmc_photography — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:02:35 GMT

@amfoto1 wrote:
You can choose from any of the current Canon flashes. It just depends upon how much power you need.

Beginning with the most powerful, they are:

600EX-RT (which has radio triggering capability, for multiple flash, off-camera setups)
580EX II (recently discontinued, but still fairly available... uses optical communication with off-camera/multi flash setups)
430EX II
320EX (which has a video light, too)
270EX II
270EX (recently discontinued, but still pretty widely avail.)
90EX

If using multiple flashes, the 580EX II and 600EX-RT can act as "masters" to control off-camera "slaves". Both of those also can be used as "slaves". The 430EX II, 320EX, and 270EX II all can be used off-camera, too, but as "slaves" only. They cannot act as the "master" controlling other flashes.

There are also ST-E3-RT and ST-E2 flash controller modules, that can act as "masters" to control one or more off-camera flashes. The ST-E3-RT uses radio communication, while the ST-E2 uses optical (near IR light).

The difference between radio and optical communication is that radio can reach farther and is not line-of-sight dependent. Optical communication can be effected by ambient light conditions and is line-of-sight only, limiting placement of off-camera flashes to some extent.

There are also numerous third party flashes and accessories available, with a wide-ranging variety of capabilities.

The reason I'm mentioning all this about multiple flashes and off-camera usage is that interior lighting often involves many flashes and a lot of setup. A friend of mine is a nationally recognized expert at architectural photography... He's got a van full of location lighting gear and often spends many hours setting up the lighting, just to make a couple interior shots.

***********
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to respond!

I have been a little strapped for time but I have to say I really appreciate your views on this.

When I really sit and think about it, I know I am most likely going to bite the bullet an opt for the 600EX-RT. I just get the feeling that this is what is going to make my learning more enjoyable, less time consuming and more importantly, more reliable in the future when I may be doing things like weddings and other events where I can't afford to have things fail. I can see that I could probably afford a number of 3rd party speedlights for the same price but I think that investing in quality for the long term is the better option for me right now.

I'm probably looking to get one 600 EX-RT and the radio trigger to start with until I have a bigger budget to add more lights. I'm going to just have to be as creative as I can with just the one for now.

Sorry not to leave you all an individual response and again, I really appreciate the time you took to respond to my question.

Cheers Guys!

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

dmc_photography — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:07:58 GMT

This really helped. Thanks!

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

TCampbell — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:24:03 GMT

To help you with any Canon Speedlite, go check YouTube for videos by Syl Arena or buy his book "The Speedliter's Handbook". It will quickly help you understand how the system works and get the most from it.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

kvbarkley — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:26:35 GMT

I second Syl Arena's handbook. Make sure to get the latest edition since it covers the 600 series. Also, any bit can help him as he recovers from his recent stroke.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

TDKLEX — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 17:20:27 GMT

I'm looking for an inexpensive flash for my 6D, just something maybe as powerful as a built-in as on the 80D etc. I don't do a lot of indoor shooting, but would like something sufficient to cover a small area when i do. Does anyone have suggestions, or is this not feasible?

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

kvbarkley — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:01:35 GMT

From what you say, a 90EX should work fine.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

TDKLEX — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 19:21:56 GMT

Thanks, i appreciate your help.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

amfoto1 — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 20:51:22 GMT

The Canon 90EX is no longer made. You might find one used.

Canon EL-100 is now their least powerful and least expensive flash.

If you want the most compact flash, the Canon 270EX II would be the best current choice. It's about an inch shorter than the EL-100 and slightly more powerful. (The EL-100 and 270EX II have guide numbers of 85 feet and 89 feet, respectively.)

Rounding out the current Canon Speedlite line-up are the larger and more powerful 430EX III RT, 470EX AI and the 600EX RT. (They have guide numbers of 141, 154, and 197 feet, respectively.)

There are a lot of third party flashes too. Most are larger models, similar to the 430/470 and 600-series. A few are compact models. If you look at third party, if you want easy to use look for ones that work with ETTL (dedicated for Canon). There are still inexpensive, non-dedicated, third party flash being made, but they aren't as easy or automated as ETTL dedicated.

The Canon brand flashes are hard to beat for quality and reliability, though.

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2) some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & ZENFOLIO

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

kvbarkley — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 20:55:18 GMT

Rats, I just went to the Canon USA site and searched for flashes. There was no indication that the 90EX was out of production.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

RexGig — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 19:02:16 GMT

If I recall correctly, the 90EX can act as a master flash unit, unlike the other smaller Speedlites. The 90EX cannot swivel or pivot, so the remote flash(es) will need to be within a limited visual cone, to "see" the master flash signals.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

TDKLEX — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 19:35:12 GMT

Thanks for your help.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

magarity — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 19:16:53 GMT

I have a 90ex for my 6D and my observations are: 1, it is comically small and power output to match. It can just barely add in a little fill for shadows. As a main light, forget it. 2, if you have an optical slave flash such as a 430ex 2 or 3 then the 90 can be a remote trigger very simply and cheaply. This is its main attraction really. It's really too bad the 270 can't do that. Have you considered the ML100? I think that's probably better than a 90 unless you find a used 90 on ebay for $30.

Re: What would be the best flash for a 6D?

TDKLEX — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 21:24:41 GMT

Thanks for the info, i was just confused on which one was best. I understand better now and will probably go with the 270 or 430.