What are the best external flashes for a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

Question

i just got this used canon 5d mark iv because my sister wants me to take photos at her indoor wedding in portland in two weeks and honestly i am so stressed out. i tried taking some test shots inside my house but they are all dark and blurry and i realized there is no flash that pops up on this camera?? i feel like an idiot for not checking that before. i bought some random cheap flash on amazon but it doesnt even slide into the top right and i dont want to break the camera.

my budget is like 200 dollars tops since i already spent so much on the body. what are the best external flashes for a canon eos 5d mark iv that are easy for a beginner to use?

karen.price · Accepted Answer

I am super satisfied with these options:Godox V860III-C Speedlite pro: great battery; con: expensiveYongnuo YN600EX-RT II Flash pro: cheap; con: flimsy No complaints, they work well!

bayridgebabel · Answer

Like someone mentioned, having a solid flash is key, but in my experience, you dont need to break the bank. I used the Godox TT685II-C TTL Flash for Canon for dozens of events. It uses AA batteries which is handy if you forget to charge a pack. Just keep it on E-TTL and point it at the ceiling. Bouncing light is the only way to avoid those harsh shadows, seriously.

sidewalksymphony · Answer

To add to the point above, I totally get why people like the third-party stuff for the price, but personally I am a bit more cautious when it's for something as important as a wedding. I once used a budget flash at a family reunion and it just stopped firing halfway through because it overheated. It was super embarrassing and I missed all the group shots... basically a total disaster. I would suggest looking for a used Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT instead. You can usually find them for under 200 bucks on sites like MPB or KEH. Just be careful with those random brands because:

the pins might not line up right and could scratch your hot shoe

some older flashes have weird voltage issues that might mess with your 5d iv electronics

canon flashes communicate perfectly with the camera's auto mode which is way easier for a beginner Make sure to grab some Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA Rechargeable Batteries too. Tbh, the last thing you want is the flash taking forever to recycle while your sister is walking down the aisle.