Which external flashes are recommended for the Canon EOS 90D?

Question

What external flashes should I actually be looking at for my Canon 90D? I've been trying to figure this out for like three days now and my head is spinning with all the different specs and brands. So basically I have my sister's backyard wedding coming up in Seattle in about three weeks and she’s expecting me to take the 'good' photos since I have the nice camera but I’ve always just used natural light and now I’m realizing that’s gonna be a disaster once the sun goes down or if it rains and we end up inside.

I did some digging online and everyone keeps pointing towards the Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT but man that thing is expensive like over 500 dollars and I just cant justify that right now after spending all my extra cash on a new 17-55mm lens recently. Then I saw a bunch of people raving about the Godox V1 with the round head and it looks cool and way more affordable but some reviews say the build quality is hit or miss or that the battery life isnt great compared to AA versions and I dont want it to die on me in the middle of the ceremony. Plus since the 90D is a crop sensor does that change how the zoom on the flash head works? I read something about focal length coverage being different and I dont want to end up with weird dark edges on my shots because the flash isnt wide enough.

My budget is strictly around $200 maybe $250 if I really push it. I need something that is reliable and wont overheat after like ten shots because I know I’m gonna be firing off a lot of photos during the reception when people are dancing and stuff. Is the Godox V860III actually better than the V1 for a 90D user or should I stick to an older used Canon model like the 430EX III-RT? I just need something that talks to the camera properly with E-TTL so I dont have to mess with manual settings every five seconds while things are happening fast. Has anyone actually used these third-party flashes on the 90D specifically because I heard some people had issues with the pins not lining up right on newer bodies...

Colton Wade Price · Accepted Answer

I remember shooting a garden party in the rain back when I first got into this with my 70D, and I was panicking about the lighting just like you. Regarding the crop sensor zoom, most flashes like the Godox TT685II-C TTL Flash for Canon automatically adjust or let you set it manually, so you wont get dark edges unless you're shooting ultra-wide. I actually saved a ton of money by picking up a used Canon Speedlite 580EX II for about 130 dollars. Its an older pro model but built like a tank and the E-TTL is flawless. If you want new, the TT685II is great because it uses AA batteries. The AA route is usually better for long events since you can just pop in fresh Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA Rechargeable Batteries instantly. The pins on the 90D match the Godox Canon versions perfectly, so dont worry about the connection.

daniel.richardson · Answer

Unfortunately, the V1 build quality is quite disappointing. Id recommend the Godox V860III-C TTL Speedlite instead; it provides more reliable battery life and wont overheat during fast-paced wedding receptions.

riley.garrett · Answer

Regarding what #4 said about "Been using this for years, no complaints"

I totally get that vibe, but I am gonna play devils advocate here. Everyone is pushing Godox lately, and they are fine, but in my experience, if you are worried about the 90D specific pin layout and E-TTL reliability on a budget, you should look at the Yongnuo YN685 II TTL Flash for Canon. I have shot dozens of events with these and they have basically never let me down.

Crop sensor zoom: Honestly, dont overthink this. The flash head adjusts automatically based on what the lens tells the body. Since the 90D is a crop, the flash actually over-covers the area, which is better than under-covering it. You wont get dark edges at all.

Battery situation: Those Godox V-series Li-ion packs are cool until they die mid-ceremony. If you forget to charge it, you are cooked. I prefer using Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA Rechargeable Batteries because if things go south, you can literally buy replacements at any gas station in Seattle.

Menus: This Yongnuo integrates directly with the 90D internal External Flash Setting menu. You barely have to touch the actual flash once it is on the hotshoe which is a lifesaver when things are moving fast. Its way under your $200 budget too, so you could probably even snag two. Weddings are stressful enough without worrying about gear... trust me.