> I was looking at the Godox V860III because everyone says it's the gold standard but then I read somewhere that some older versions dont work with the T7 because of that missing pin issue. I went through this exact same panic with my T7 last year. That missing pin is such a headache for everyone. Honestly, just go with the Godox TT685II-C TTL Flash for Canon. It is the updated version and they specifically fixed the hardware compatibility for the T7 and T100 models. It fits your budget perfectly and you get full E-TTL support right out of the box. You really want E-TTL for an outdoor party at night so you arent stuck messing with manual power settings while people are moving around. One quick tip tho... use decent rechargeables like Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA High Capacity Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries. Regular alkalines take forever to recycle and you will miss shots. It works fine on my T7 with no firmware hacks or anything crazy.

Just saw this thread. Honestly, that missing pin situation is a huge headache for T7 owners. Basically, the camera sends the fire signal through the smaller digital pins instead of the big center one. If the flash isnt specifically built to listen to those side pins, it wont fire at all. For your $150 budget, Godox TT685II-C TTL Flash for Canon is probably your most solid pick. Godox updated their newer II versions specifically to talk to the T7 and T100 properly. It gives you TTL too, which is gonna be a lifesaver at a party so you arent constantly fiddling with manual power settings in the dark. Another safe bet is the Canon Speedlite EL-100. Its smaller and fits your budget, tho it doesnt have as much raw power as the Godox. Since its a Canon flash, it obviously works with the T7 system perfectly. Youll do great at the party, just make sure you test it as soon as it arrives.

> My budget is strictly under 150 bucks because I just spent most of my savings on a new lens. Yo! I saw this and just had to jump in because you are gonna have a blast at that engagement party! Outdoor night shots with a good flash look absolutely amazing when you get the lighting right. Quick question though before I give you the final verdict, what lens did you actually pick up? Knowing the focal length and the widest aperture helps a ton because some of these flashes zoom better than others to cover the frame properly. Anyway, for that $150 budget, you should absolutely grab the Godox TT685II-C TTL Speedlite for Canon. It is a total workhorse and I promise it works with that T7 pin layout as long as you make sure you get the Canon-specific C version. It supports TTL so the camera basically does all the exposure math for you, which is a total lifesaver when people are moving around at a party and you dont have time to fiddle with manual settings. If you want to save even more cash for a decent diffuser or a bracket, the Godox TT350C Mini TTL Speedlite for Canon is another solid choice. It is way smaller and lacks some raw power, but it is super light. Honestly though, stick with the TT685II-C for an outdoor night gig... you will definitely want that extra power to reach your subjects if they arent right in front of you. It is 100% plug and play. You are gonna do great, North Jersey has some killer spots for photos!

^ This. Also, I honestly had issues with the TT685II being way too bulky on a Rebel body. It feels really unbalanced and kinda clunky for a long event like an engagement party. Unfortunately, finding something that fits the T7 perfectly without breaking the bank is getting harder since they pulled that center pin stunt. If you're trying to stay well under that 150 limit and want something more manageable, you might want to look at:

• Godox TT350C Mini TTL Flash for Canon - it's way smaller and fits the T7's scale much better.
• Canon Speedlite 270EX II - super simple, but it's guaranteed to work since it's official gear. The TT350C is solid but the recycle time is definitely slower than the big professional units, which kinda sucks when you're trying to catch quick moments. Ngl though, it's probably your best bet if you want to save some money for extra batteries or a bounce card. Just make sure you're getting the C version for Canon... that missing pin is a total nightmare if you grab the wrong one.