Best Speedlight to use with a Canon 1200D + CANON 600D

Godox V860 III/PiXAPRO Li-ION 580 would be a good choice. You could go a bit cheaper with the Godox TT685, but they tend to overheat quite quickly in my experience compared to the 860.

Edited by FarmerSteve

I have several (Mk1) 850 models which are superb (pretty much same as Mk2 except they have mini receiver modules screwed into the side). Manual and HSS only (which is all I use 99.5% of the time anyway)

i also have a sole V860II (F) that is TTL too and can be a 'master' conroller too, on the very rare ocassion I want ON and OFF camera flashes at the same time.

I had cheaper Yongnuo flashes before that ... 560 IV models.

Before all of them I had Canon 550EX (as per the one advertised currently on here). I was the top-of-range model back-in-the-day before I also added 2x 580EX guns.

I can thoroughly recommend the used 550EX for sale, provided it's in good nick and hasn't been a full power workhorse for decades. Feed it Eneloop AA cells and you're good to go. ST-E2 is good for line-of-sight triggering when off-camera (or attach to the many Yongnuo or other 2.4Ghz trigger/receiver units).

Edited by Aardvark🎯VonEssfolk

I have had a few, the yn600 from yongnuo have worked out great they mimic the new canon 600 whatever they are. But before that I had and still have canon 550ex and 580ex's, the yongnios have the features, but the original canons I've always thought had a better quality of light, although I have no scientific basis for that. Some of the older yongnuos I've had have blown, but great value anyway

Edited by marcocastiglioni

Hi Folks, thanks for your kind replies.

It has lead to further knowledge acquisition / learning.

The 550ex is looking like the best bet.

I may have a pair of 550EXs with battery packs and an ST-E2 available ...

Hi Chris,   Godox is your best bet if you are going to use them off-camera as the radio triggers are a sensible price.  

photowizard said

Hi Chris,   Godox is your best bet if you are going to use them off-camera as the radio triggers are a sensible price.  

Is that to be relied upon with the 4 digit Canon? There were a few that demanded Canon fittings.

MidgePhoto some of the cheaper models don't have the centre trigger pin on the hotshoe, but Godox overcame that issue.

I have a Yongnuo 560 IV for sale, barely used. £40 posted.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yongnuo-YN-560-IV-Speedlite-Olympus/dp/B00PIIRO1C/ref=sr_1_4?crid=L52E1E8IDMFW&keywords=yongnuo+560+iv&qid=1652120976&s=electronics&sprefix=yongnuo+560+iv%2Celectronics%2C104&sr=1-4

 Yes, of course you need one, how else are you going to fill the new camera bag?

Not up to date on Canon camera models, some have that new hot shoe and only have compatibility with Canon speedlights

Edited by indemnity

Godox TT350C. Cheap, light and gets you in to the Godox system if you ever feel the need to expand your capabilities. 

EOS 1200D and 600D have a standard hotshoe with the centre pin, so almost anything will work. If you want automatic flash exposure then you’ll need something that is Canon dedicated.

Just about any “dedicated” flash out there will work with your cameras, including any of the Canon models with EX in the name, EF 550EX, 580EX etc. There’s a lot of independent models out there and Godox / Pixapro have some good options.

While it may seem like a big step, the option of using the flash off camera gives much more flexibility for lighting (and better results). If you want that then a suitable trigger to go on the camera and compatible flash is needed. These days it’s hard to suggest an optical wireless link for off-camera work unless you only work indoors.

For off-camera with a radio link look at the Yongnuo YN-E3 transmitter and YN 600EX as one choice (on Amazon)

Also consider Godox though these are a little more expensive.

If you go for used kit then a Canon Speedlite 580EX II is a good choice and you could add a trigger and receiver later like the Yongnuo 622C

Go on Ebay and look for a used Canon Speedlite 580EX II. The Canon 1200D and the Canon 60D both have built-in flashes and the 580EX II can be fired by them off camera when its put in slave mode. It has a stand which you can attach to a tripod. Obviously it will work on-camera as well.

there are no advantages to buying canon own brand, over godox usually. unless you get a great deal, yongnuo or godox flashes will do the same job for a fraction of the cost.

Is a speedlight just another name for flash?