Best external flash recommendations for Canon RF mount cameras?

Question

So I finally jumped from my 5D Mark IV to the R6 Mark II and man the autofocus is insane but I'm legit panicking about my lighting. I've been using Godox V860II units for years and they were fine on the old bodies but I'm hearing horror stories about the new multi-function shoe on RF cameras being fragile or having compatibility glitches.

I have a huge indoor wedding in Seattle in 14 days and I can't risk the flash misfiring or damaging the shoe. My budget is around 600 bucks but I need something that just works with the RF communication. Should I just bite the bullet on the EL-5 or is there a better option for these new mounts?

kenneth.sanders · Accepted Answer

Honestly, the new shoe design on the R6 II is a massive letdown compared to the old 5D tanks. I moved over last year and unfortunately had nothing but connection drops with my older Godox gear. If youre worried about that wedding, here is my take:

Canon Speedlite EL-5 is basically your only safe bet to skip adapters. It uses the new pins directly so its fast, but it wont work on your older backup bodies which is just annoying.

Godox V1C Round Head Flash for Canon is what I usually prefer, but it is not as good as expected on the new mount. You basically have to buy the Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter to keep it from wobbling or losing the signal. Id just grab the EL-5 for the peace of mind. I hate the cost but missing shots because of a glitchy shoe is way worse.

Georgia · Answer

Yo, the R6 II is a total beast! That AF tracking is absolutely insane, I love it. I've been digging into the technical side of the new Canon shoe lately and yeah, those 21 pins are super tiny and delicate compared to the old 5-pin setup. Quick question before I give you the full breakdown: are you planning to run a master/slave setup with your old Godox units or are you looking to switch ecosystems entirely for this wedding? Since you're worried about the shoe connection but need to stay within a 600 buck budget, you should seriously check out the Godox V860III-C TTL Flash for Canon. It fixes a lot of the technical headaches from the older version! Here is why it's a solid move:

It has a physical switch to toggle between TTL and Manual instantly, which is amazing for fast-paced wedding receptions.

The new quick-release lock is way better for the R6 II shoe than the old screw-down rings that used to put uneven pressure on the pins.

You get a built-in LED modeling light which is a lifesaver for the AF system in pitch-black reception halls, even if the R6 II is already incredible at low light. The technical advantage of the V860III is really the upgraded battery pack. You get like 480 full-power pops, so you wont be fumbling with AAs while the cake is being cut. Just be super careful when sliding it in... those pins are no joke!