new kid on the block that can challenge yongnuo is Shanny flashes. keeping a strong eye on them.
SHANNY – Flash & Trigger Models | FLASH HAVOC
take a look at the
SN600SN for around $130. has everything. extremely powerful and very quick to recycle. nice interface as well. looks like the canon 600 flash.
problem is theyre new, I will wait to see if there are any bugs. flash is very critical in weddings and when you have issues with flashes (or any gear in the most critical times), it spikes your stress levels through the roof to where you start sweating bullets. I must have reliability. and as of now, they havent proven themselves. if I was ahobbyist, I would have no problem ordering it right now. as a wedding pro, I can get a date to shoot a wedding last minutes notice and my gear needs to be ready. so if I dont have it, im screwed. for now I have enough flash though. looking to streamline all my gear to 2-3 models MFR.
godox has a huge issue with their batteries not performing even half the rated specs of manual 1/1 full pops. V850 V860. if they were smart they would also include a AA holder just in case. because basically if the battery goes and youre shooting a wedding, youre screwed. this can be a life saver. the issue was confirmed by godox as well. cheetah godox interfit and neewer work together. I would never buy any of their flashes because they know of the issue but dont post a note on their support page to let anyone know. thats moral and ethics of a company and for me theyre out. I was looking to get 3 of them. now, 0.
I just bought the YN565 and I had the YN568 (which I sold thank god) and im not liking either of them. the 565 isnt working well with my 622. and the 568 and 565 ttl is not accurate AT ALL!
so for now I have the following
2-SB800-still great flashes. excellent power, fast recycle. doesnt play nice with 622n ON the camera. no problem off camera. its just great for manual power.
1-SB28- just a tad slow to recycle compared to the yongnuo but still a workhorse and an excellent off camera manual only flash. menu system is prehistoric and slow to use vs new models but no issue really.
2-560III best manual flash you can get for the price but the new shanny flashes are testing that.
1-568 sold meh.
1-565 meh. having issues with the TTL but will test it more as I used it for part of one wedding on the dance floor where the pictures arent critical. not working reliably with 622n triggers.
1-SB900-great flash. did overheat a few times on me and basically shut down. had the flash tube replaced recently.
1-METZ 58 AF2 garbage flash. no wonder they filed for bankruptcy. they are not relevant in todays offers. overpriced and clunky slow primitive system. yes, even the touch screen. I met a pro tog in a wedding who had it. man is it slow and clunky.
1-SB700-great flash. very fast to recycle but power is a little lower than the others in this list. I just bought a clone rogue flash bender for $16 shipped on ebay and im in the middle of modifying it. its just too big for such a flash head to hold. especially when youre shooting portrait mode and it adds weight to the mount. the flash has it all, but the bounce card is too small and since I shoot almost always with the head up, its just not able to pump out enough light fast enough. a bounce card or my modified flash bender will solve this as it will help it push more light forward. and those that ask why dont u point it forward? u have a bit to learn about lighting.
Bolt? never heard of and for that price, I would never touch it.
