Looking to purchase first flash on low funds. Advice please

[iNick]

Looking to get into the world of flash. I really want to get into creative portraiture and i want to start creating a little (mostly DIY) setup to take shots of the dishes i've been cooking up. My budget is pretty low right now, poor college student blah blah, i wont bore you all, but im looking to spend roughly $50- $60. i know its very low for a flash but i also know there are some out there in this range that will provide me with what i need. I place myself at intermediate noob, I know the basics well and i want to take the next step in noob-ness and study more on composition and lighting. a few options i have come up with so far are...
Amazon.com: YN-560 Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon: Electronics

Amazon.com: Rokinon D870AF-C D870AF Digital TTL Flash for Canon (Black): Camera & Photo

and
Amazon.com: Sunpak PF30X/DigiFlash 2800 E-TTL II Electronic Flash Unit for Canon EOS Rebel T1i, T2i, XS, XSi, 50D, 60D, 7D & 5D Mark II, 1D, 1Ds Digital SLR Camera: Camera & Photo

if someone wouldn't mind explaining the advantages/disadvantages or make suggestions that would be fantastic. Im very new to the flash world and im still confused by what TTL and stuff like that are. Thanks in advance!

-Nick

 

[mc_hudd]

I have the Nissin Di622 & am very pleased w/ it! It's a little higher than the ones you have posted, but I would assume they would work for what you are needing. I also don't have the $$$$ to spend on the name brand accessories, so I usually try the generic stuff first. So far, I've been VERY pleased w/ my results! Good luck & please post after you get a flash; If these work good, I may have to buy one just for an extra.

With that said, my opinion is: Neither of the flashes you posted have the built in diffuser or the bounce card (?). Check out the Nissin Di622, I know it's more than you want to spend, but you'll know what I'm talking about at least (if you don't already). Also, it doesn't have the swivel/rotating head so you can bounce the flash off of something from the side, etc. I don't use this a lot on my flash, but I'm glad I have the option.

Amazon.com: Nissin Di622 Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, Guide number 145: Electronics

In one of the first pics it shows an add on diffuser, this isn't what I'm talking about... Check out the 4 pics @ the bottom right.

 

[iNick]

thanks for the responses, the problem here is i don't really know much about external flash units or how to use them. im looking for some more basic info on these units like, will i be able to use it on the hot shoe? will i have to fire them manually? optical slave?... confused :scratch:

 

[subscuck]

Some of the third party flashes won't communicate with your camera for exposure info, so you will have to set output manually. Others will. Most people set output manually anyway once they know what they're doing. I know those Yongnuo flashes are pretty popular on this forum and people are happy with them.

 

[iNick]

Awesome thank you, I'll probably pick one of those up this way I'm forced to learn how to manually run the flash. Appreciate the advice.

 

[enzodm]

Yongnuo flashes are somewhat well known in the cheap side. The one you linked is manual only, if you want TTL also (when mounted on camera) you could go with YN467 if you have a Nikon, YN468 if you have a Canon. However, YN560 is more powerful. Whatever you buy, take also a wireless trigger to do off-camera.
You may find good reviews here, for example: Yongnuo YN-467 Speedlite Review (Canon / Nikon Flash) | Speedlights.net

 

[newb]

Theyre outa your price range, but I love my Sunpack PZ42X's. Theyre comparable to the Nikon SB600's. A little bit harder to navigate through the settings, than an SB600, but still not bad.

 

[iNick]

well here is my new dilemma, do i get the 50mm 1.8 or the flash first? im thinking the lens simply because i want it more and i think ill get more use out of it than the flash and i can always pick up the flash in a few weeks when more funds are available to me. thoughts?