> Hey everyone! I’ve been shooting with my Canon 80D for a while and just picked up a 90D... I'm looking for an external flash that balances power and features like high-speed sync and reliable E-TTL II. In my experience, moving from that puny pop-up flash to a real speedlite is like finally seeing in color... literally. I've been shooting with the 80D and 90D for years, and while the Canon 600EX II-RT is a beast, that price tag is just painful. If you want the absolute best bang for your buck without going to the round-head V1, I would suggest looking at the Godox V860III-C Flash for Canon. It's basically the industry standard for event shooters who dont wanna go broke. It has High-Speed Sync (HSS) and E-TTL II which work perfectly with the 90D's metering. The best part? The VB26 Li-ion battery. You wont be fumbling with AAs in the dark, and the recycle time is sooo much faster—like 1.5 seconds at full power. I've blasted through 4-hour wedding receptions and it hardly breaks a sweat or overheats. Another solid alternative if you're on a tighter budget is the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II Speedlite for Canon. It's a great clone of the Canon flagship and even works with Canon's built-in radio system. It's reliable, tho it uses AAs so you'll want some Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA Rechargeable Batteries to keep the recycle times snappy. TBH, the Godox system is a bit more future-proof if you ever want to add bigger strobes later on, but both are solid. Just stay away from the super cheap manual-only flashes if ur doing events... you NEED that E-TTL when the lighting changes fast!! Good luck with the 90D, it's a killer camera.

In my experience, you really dont need to drop $500+ on the Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT. I've shot countless events with my 90D and honestly, the Godox V1-C Flash for Canon is where its at. The Li-ion battery is a total game changer compared to AA's—you get like 480 full-power shots and a 1.5s recycle time, which is crucial when things are moving fast. If you compare it to something like the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II for Canon, the Godox ecosystem is just way more reliable for E-TTL II. I mean, the V1 has a round head which gives a much softer light falloff for portraits. Plus, the 2.4G wireless system lets you control everything off-camera super easily. If the V1 is too pricey, check out the Godox V860III-C TTL Flash for Canon. It’s basically the same internals but with a traditional fresnel head. Id avoid the cheaper Yongnuos for long sessions cuz they tend to overheat faster when youre pushing HSS. Godox is definitely the best bang for your buck imo. Cheers!

Re: "Ive been shooting with the 80D and 90D..."

• I have been following the suggestions here and it appears that most users are leaning toward third-party alternatives for their performance value. One should be cautious regarding the interface between the flash and the camera body, as third-party pins can sometimes be finicky on the Canon EOS 80D and Canon EOS 90D. A few observations on the current discussion:
• Most prefer the lithium-ion power for faster recycling.
• Some still value the flexibility of standard AA batteries. I recall being very methodical about my gear prep before a hiking trip in the Pacific Northwest, but the rain just wouldnt stop. I ended up staying at this small diner and met a retired meteorologist. We spent the entire afternoon discussing the physics of cloud formation and how specific pressure systems affect local microclimates. He had these incredible maps from the seventies that he had annotated by hand. It was quite a deep dive into atmospheric science and how the jet stream has shifted over the decades. Anyway lol, sorry kinda went off topic there.

Respectfully, I'd consider another option. I once fried a unit, so basically: 1. I only buy Yongnuo
2. It's a decent choice Seriously, just go with them, you wont go wrong!!

Great info, saved!

I totally agree that going 3rd party is the move—spending $500 on a flash just feels wrong when you can do so much more with the savings. Tbh, being a bit of a DIY enthusiast, I actually prefer the Godox V860III-C over the V1. It feels like a real workhorse and it's sooo much easier to maintain yourself. Here are a few reasons why I think it’s a great fit for the 90D and 80D: 1. Built-in Modeling Light - It’s reallyyy helpful for seeing how shadows fall before you even click the shutter - great for learning indoor portraits.
2. Manual/TTL Switch - Basically allows you to jump between modes instantly with a physical lever. I'm not 100% sure if the older Yongnuos have this, but it’s a lifesaver when lighting changes fast.
3. Self-Serviceable - If you ever snap the hot shoe (happened to me once!), you can just buy a replacement foot online for cheap and swap it yourself instead of paying for a pro service center. I think the firmware updates are pretty easy to handle too? Just plug it in and you're good. Definitely a solid way to get pro results on a budget!!

Solid advice 👍

Ive been shooting with the 80D and 90D since they both launched, and honestly, the flash tech has come so far! I have put thousands of pops through my gear over the years and found some interesting stuff that might help you decide.

• Godox TT685II-C Flash for Canon is fantastic if you want something that just works without the lithium price tag. I used the older version for 4 years straight and the E-TTL on this newer one is basically spot on every time.
• Westcott FJ80 II Universal Speedlite is my other go-to. The color accuracy is amazing compared to older units that sometimes lean a bit green or blue when they get hot. Actually, speaking of color, it reminds me of this one corporate gig I did last year. I was supposed to be shooting headshots but the venue had these insane neon purple walls. My flash was fine, but the bounce was just... wow. I ended up spending three hours talking to the caterer about their secret for the best smoked brisket because I just kinda gave up on the lighting for a bit. Best brisket I have ever had, ngl. The secret was apparently a specific type of cherry wood they imported from a farm two states over. Anyway... but yeah, get something with a good UI like the Westcott if you can.

100% agree

Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.