05/06/2026 3:30 pm
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Ive been using my 5D IV for years now and its basically an extension of my arm at this point but my old 580EX II is finally starting to give up the ghost. Its misfiring constantly and the recycle times are just brutal lately so I need a replacement before my cousins wedding in Chicago next month. Ive always stuck with first-party glass and gear because the TTL reliability is usually bulletproof but man those new Canon 600EX II-RT units are pricey even on the used market. I was thinking about just grabbing another used 580 but then I see everyone raving about Godox and the V1 or the V860III with the lithium batteries. My logic was that sticking with Canon keeps the weather sealing and the communication perfect but the idea of not carrying 20 AA batteries sounds like a dream honestly. Im worried about third party stuff weirding out on the 5D4s autofocus assist beam though since Ive heard some flashes dont play nice with the sensor setup. Budget is around 350 max and I need something that wont overheat after fifty shots in a dim ballroom. Should I just bite the bullet on a used 600EX or is the Godox hype actually real for professional work? Just feels weird putting a 150 dollar flash on such a solid body...
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05/06/2026 4:05 pm
Man, I love this topic because I was in your exact shoes a few years ago! Stop worrying about the cheap label because the Godox tech is actually ahead of Canon in some ways now. I swapped my 600EX-RT units for the Godox V1-C Round Head Camera Flash for Canon and I have never looked back. The round head is amazing because the light falloff is so much more natural and circular than the harsh rectangle you get from your old 580EX II. It makes those ballroom portraits look like you actually used a softbox! Here is why you should jump ship:
- The lithium battery is a total game changer. I used to carry 24 AAs for a single wedding... now I carry one spare battery and usually dont even need it. It keeps the recycle time under 1.5 seconds even at full power.
- The magnetic accessory port is fantastic. You can snap on a dome or a bounce card in half a second.
- It has a built-in 2.4G radio system that is way more reliable than the old optical pulses we used to use. As for your concern about the 5D4 autofocus assist, the V1 projects a laser grid that the sensor loves! I have shot in near-total darkness at receptions and it snaps to focus instantly without hunting. If you want to save a bit more cash, the Godox V860III-C TTL Li-ion Flash for Canon is also a beast and has a physical switch to jump between TTL and manual. Seriously, the Godox hype is 100 percent real for pro work. Youll save a fortune and get a better experience!
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05/06/2026 3:55 pm
I know everyone loves Godox now. I tried it too. But I actually went back to Canon after a third party unit missed focus during a big family shoot. It just wasnt worth the stress for me. Maybe look at the Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT instead. It fits your budget and the AF beam is perfect. Tip: grab some Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA Rechargeable Batteries for faster recycling. It really helps.
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05/06/2026 3:31 pm
I replaced my 580EX II with the Godox V860III-C TTL Li-ion Flash and it has been a reliable workhorse. Last year at a long wedding reception, the lithium battery lasted the whole night without slowing down. It didnt overheat once despite the fast pace. The TTL communication with my 5D IV is consistently accurate and ditching AA batteries was a great move, tbh. Performance for the price is actually hard to beat.
