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5 Best Flashes for the Canon 6D

5 Best Flashes for the Canon 6D

Canon’s 6D camera has been a favorite amongst photographers. But, as any photographer knows, a camera with the right flash can make a world of difference. Whether you’re capturing portraits, shooting landscapes, or photographing architecture, a good flash can change the game. So what are some of the best flash accessories for the Canon 6D camera?

Here are some of the flash accessories to consider for Canon 6D:

  • Canon Speedlite 470EX
  • Yongnuo YN560-IV Speedlite
  • Yongnuo Speedlite YN600EX-RT II Flash
  • Canon Speedlite 600EX II
  • Bolt VS-260SMI

Keep reading this article for more information about each flash option. We will go over the salient features associated with each of the flashes and how they pair with the Canon 6D camera. 

The Best Flash Accessories for Canon 6D

Canon 6D is a camera built for working in low-light conditions, with excellent results that help it punch above its weight. However, where the 6D lacks is the built-in flash. The flash is limited in its capabilities but can be amplified with an external flash accessory. Here are some of our recommendations. 

Canon Speedlite 470EX

The Canon Speedlite is a flash option that can work well with your Canon 6D. One of the best features of this flash accessory is that you can use Auto Intelligent Bounce. The flash studies your space, factoring in how far away you are from your subject. Combining both pieces of information, the Canon Speedlite 470EX will adjust the flash accordingly, so you get the best results. 

  • Easy to use and portable so that you can carry it around.
  • Built to fit into your Canon controls, enabling smooth access. 
  • Remote flashing capabilities for up to 30m away.
  • Catchlight panel to clearly capture expressions.
  • Recycle time of 0.1-3.5 seconds and a Quick mode at 2.5 seconds.
Photo: Canon

Yongnuo YN560-IV Speedlite

Another option for you to consider when it comes to the flash accessory is the Yongnuo TN560-IV. This lighting system is excellent if you want to be doing flashes from far away (the system can handle triggering flashes from up to 100m away!) It can also assist you because of its other features, such as its extensive zoom range and guide number. 

Photo: Yongnuo
  • 190′ guide number at an ISO of 100-105.
  • Ability to angle the accessory at a tilt between -7 and 90°.
  • Rotation capabilities of 270° so you can get the full bounce you are looking for. 
  • Optical trigger mechanism using either sync or other options. 
  • Recycling time of around 3 seconds. 

Yongnuo Speedlite YN600EX-RT II Flash

When looking at Yongnuo’s roster of flashes, you can’t miss the Yongnuo Speedlight YN600EX. This flash is entirely compatible with your Canon 6D camera and has some of the best features to complement your camera’s functionality. It also comes with an LCD display where all relevant information is displayed. 

  • A zoom range of 20-200mm.
  • 197′ guide number, supporting high speeds.
  • Includes a USB interface to be easily upgraded to the latest firmware. 
  • Radio transmission to trigger flash wirelessly.
  • Superfast charging system for recycling, and a recycling time of around 3 seconds. 
Photo: Yongnuo

Canon Speedlite 600EX II

The Canon Speedlight 600EX stands out amongst the company’s flash options. Its high guide number is ideal for continuous flash, making your results even higher in quality. The best part is that you can use this flash and five other groups of Speedlite flashes to get the best results. 

Photo: Canon
  • High guide number of 197′ at an ISO of 100 and 200mm.
  • A zoom range of around 20-200mm for this flash.
  • The Speedlite tilts between -7 and 90°, and a rotation on either side of 180°
  • High-quality continuous shooting mode, at an improvement to other Speedlites. 
  • Wireless shooting uses radio and optical transmissions to improve remote shooting capabilities. 

Bolt VS-260SMI

Finally, an option to consider when you are on the lookout for a flash is the Bolt VS-260SMI. This Mini flash settles on your camera and brings with it some powerful advantages when shooting with flash. Perhaps the smallest option on this list, this is an excellent option if you are looking for a smaller flash that offers even more portability.  

  • A guide number of 72′ at an ISO of 100.
  • The coverage is full-frame, covering 35mm
  • Ability to turn upwards at 90 degrees in five distinct positions.
  • A recycle time of between 0.3 and 10 seconds.
  • Power-saving features that help you retain long battery life. 
Photo: Bolt

Related: How to Find the Shutter Count on Canon 6D

What Features Should I Look Out For

A flash can make the difference between an amateur and professional photography. Flashes are typically small and portable and will make a big difference, especially when you are interacting in low-light environments. 

Comparatively, a flash is a relatively affordable and accessible accessory for photographers to add to their roster. 

However, some features of flashes can make or break its benefits. It’s always important to consider what camera you are using and what kind of facilities would work best with its internal features. 

Recycle Time

Choosing the right flash means considering what kind of photography you end up doing because one factor that will impact the success of use is the total recycling time. The recycle time is the period between taking photos with the Canon 6D camera. The lower the recycle time, the faster the camera can take pictures with flash quickly. 

Whether or not you need a low recycle time is dependent on how you use your camera. For example, if you take pictures of a sportsman in action, you need an extremely low recycling time. However, alternatively, if you are taking pictures of still things, such as buildings and landscapes, a higher recycle time can still be adequate. 

Guide Number

The guide number helps you estimate the approximate power of your flash. Most flashes will come with a guide number much higher than the essential requirement of 28′. Although this is unlikely to be an issue, the guide number must be compatible with your camera.

The higher the guide number, the more power the flash can exude when used. This means that if you are in low-light conditions, a higher guide number will mean your Canon will be able to shoot better. 

Conclusion

A flash can be significant when trying to enhance the results from your Canon 6D. Always focus on what will work best with the projects and areas of photography you have in mind.