Flashgun: Canon 270EX or Jessops 360AFD?

N

Nemesis

Messages
368
Name
Michael
Edit My Images
Yes
Evening all,

I've never been much into flash photography, but it seems the next logical step as I'd like a crack at portraits. I don't have a mass of talent or a massive budget, so basically I'm looking at these two (so please, no responses like "save your money until you can afford a 580EX").

I can get either one new for £69.99, so it really comes down to which one is better. What are peoples recommendations?

Cheers.
 
Going by what I miss from my flash out of the two I'd say get the Jessops one, its got a better zoom range and swivels as well.

However, if thats your budget have you looked at the Metz 24?
 
I've not encountered the Metz 24 before no, so I hadn't previously considered it. If it's competitive with the other two then I'll add it to the shortlist!
 
Or have a look at the Nissin Di622 here looks pretty well specified for the price (don't have any experience of it myself though!)
 
I have not used the Jessops one but have used the Canon and like it. Metz hasa good rep as an indepentant flash gun so is also worth looking at.
 
It looks like WEX have sold out of the Canon, so I guess it's a choice of one of the others. I'm still hoping someone out there has used one of them and are able to offer an opinion?
 
270EX is a super little gun, but its great virtue is mainly very small size. It zooms a bit, bounces, does high speed sync - all the basic on-camera things. Takes a Stofen too. But it doesn't rotate, and won't work as a wireless E-TTL slave.

It's also more powerful than you might think - if you compare the guide numbers at 50mm (like for like) then it is only 2/3rds of a stop down on the 430EX.

But if small size is not top of your list, you'll maybe get more elsewhere. Nissin?
 
Ive got the 306AFD, although i did get it for a bargin price off ebay. I cant fault it, i always bounce the flash for a softer light and its always lit up what ive wanted nicely. It can swivel in all directions so fine bounching it for lanscape or portrait shots.
 
I have a jessops - different model - , but also a Yongnuo, which i prefer......
 
I'd suggest also considering a Yongnuo TTL flashgun
 
another mention from yongnuo, I'm in a similar position budget wise and considering the yn 568, a friend has one and seems to be getting good results, you can also pickup the rf 602 wireless kit for around £25-30 (can use it with any hotshoe) so you can shoot off camera or remotely which looks like good fun
 
Funny, i was just going to post a question about off-camera flashes. I'm looking at getting my first flash-gun and was going to get the 430ex ii, but it is a little pricey, and I was wondering if Jessops or other 3rd party models were worth looking at. I'm really after one I can angle. The other thing is that I've never used flash off-camera (remote triggered) or a multiple flash set up, but will want to going forward. Are 3rd party guns OK for this? Can I mix and match brands for multiple set up?

Cheers.
 
Mix and match isn't a problem. I regularly mix up a pair of 4Canon 30EZ (worth a look for off-camera or manual use) with several different models from Yongnuo. And If out with a friend we'll through Nikon SBs or whatever is available into the mix. The off-camera triggers don't care whether or not they're connected to the same make or model.

The only exception is if you have the misfortune pleasure to be using a Sony camera and/or Sony flashes. Then you need to take into account the non-standard shoe connections. Best to avoid Sony and Sony compatible flashes for this reason. With Minolta flashes you need to check which version of shoe connection they are fitted with.

If the flashes vary a lot in their output power.. it's only you that will get confused. But you get used to which flashes you have available are best suited to each task.
 
Alastair said:
Mix and match isn't a problem. I regularly mix up a pair of 4Canon 30EZ (worth a look for off-camera or manual use) with several different models from Yongnuo. And If out with a friend we'll through Nikon SBs or whatever is available into the mix. The off-camera triggers don't care whether or not they're connected to the same make or model.

The only exception is if you have the misfortune pleasure to be using a Sony camera and/or Sony flashes. Then you need to take into account the non-standard shoe connections. Best to avoid Sony and Sony compatible flashes for this reason. With Minolta flashes you need to check which version of shoe connection they are fitted with.

If the flashes vary a lot in their output power.. it's only you that will get confused. But you get used to which flashes you have available are best suited to each task.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alastair,

i think in that case I'll look more seriously at going down the 3rd party route. My main fear was attempting to save £££ on a 3rd party flash then find out further down the line when i'm in a position to need off-camera/multiple set-ups that i'd need to shell out again for an all-Canon setup.

I.
 
Are Yongnuo available via any 'normal' retailers (highstreet or online), as I've had a search and I can only find them on eBay, or via Amazon marketplace?
 
I'm not sure if Flash in the Pan (on this forum) stocks the flashes as well as the triggers. If not and you're not comfortable with ordering direct from Hong Kong in Ebay, then you could try Trevor at Cotswold Photo (has a shop on Ebay) who also stocks Yongnuo equipment in the UK.

I've not had problems dealing with Hong Kong suppliers, but I did check around for a few recommendations first.
 
Cheers.

Been having a look at the new Yongnuo (YN-560), which only has manual controls, and doesn't support TTL metering. As a flash photography virgin, is that likely to cause me problems?
 
No problems for off-camera use. The YN-465 has TTL, although it's a little less powerful than the YN-560.

But if you're going off-camera you might as well start with a manual flash. If you get hooked on off-camara strobistry you'll wind-up building a small collection of flashes. Having at least one TTL flash in the bag is convenient.
 
It was Ian who was looking for off-camera, for the time being I'm looking for on camera. With that in mind, am I looking at the YN-465 and the Nissin Di622?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top