I had a chat with Tom the other night about using flash guns. But I can't remember any of it.
I've been having a look on t'internet at different flashes and completely confused myself. what I'm after is a flash I can use stuck to the camera for portrait type photos and a way of using the flash (or two, or three) when not stuck to the camera when I'm underground. so, I need triggers, right? but what flash guns should I go for (bearing in mind I currently haven't got a clue how to set up a flash) and what sort of triggers do I need to go with said flash guns.
I'm using a canon 600D if that makes any difference!
Once I've got everything I need I can start to have a play and try an work it all out

You need triggers, yes. Yongnuo RF-603C

flashguns lots, of choice, I use a yongnuo Yn560

oh there is no automatc control with any of them. it's all manual adjustment

Thanks Ant.
I'd already had a look at those yongnuo flashes. what do you think of them? is the build quality any good?
I'm obviously not expecting anything fantastic for that sort of price!

Well better to have a low cost flash that is not too expensive to replace than say a canon flashgun for underground use. mine is somewhat battered now but still works fine.

the YN560III has a built in wireless trigger. (yongnuo RF603 compatible)

sorry for all the dumbass questions, but I literally have no idea when it comes to flash....

so, if I buy a couple of YN560III, I only need one trigger to stick on the hotshoe of the camera, but none for the flashes themselves, right?

Yongnuo flashes seem to get a pretty good write up, so I'll have to order a couple

That is correct. Worth getting 2 trigers though, one for the camera one for spare/ remote control for self portraits etc.

Awesome. Thanks Ant!!

Also look at the YN565EX. it can be controlled by the camera when attached to the hotshoe (useful for everyday use), or used manually when attached to a trigger. The automatic mode will not work though if it's on top of a trigger on top of the camera though.

I've bought 4 Yongnuo 560 IV's and 2 Rf-603 triggers. Pretty chuffed with them for the money.

More than a few cavers are using the Yongnuo 560's at the moment

They are basically flashes with the radio triggers built in so you don't have to use the extra Rf-603 triggers to attach to the hotshoe, makes sense when they cost under £50!

I’m still using four flashes with the Rf-603 triggers, they do me for now.

I've got a couple of the 560 mk4 too. I must have watched half a dozen reviews for them on youtube and everyone was raving about them. Some went as far as saying they're better than the equivalent canon flash that they're blatantly ripping off

Yonguno have taken things a bit further with their "cannon rips"

For half the price of a canon lens you can bag one of these: eBay

Review here: Review

Twat. I just bought a 50mm Canon lens a few weeks ago. Didn't know YN were cloning.

fook. I've not long bought one too. Mine was second hand though for £55. Reviews are impressive! I might just add one to the kit at that price