Last Updated on February 2, 2023
Are you searching for the best flash for your Canon 6D Mark II camera? In this article you will find the best external TTL and manual flashes for the 6D.
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Check out YONGNUO YN600EX-RT II Flash for Canon 6d Mark II for best value
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Best TTL Flash for Canon 6D
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a great camera that provides amazing image quality for all types of photography. I have loved shooting my 6D and use it often for my portrait photography sessions. But to really make your image quality stand out you will need to make sure your lighting is on point. And one of the best ways to do that is by using a top rated flash made for the needs of the Canon 6D. Here are the best TTL external flash models on the market.
Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI Flash
- World's first flash equipped with an Ai bounce function*
- Ai. B full-auto mode and AI. B semi-auto mode settings.
- Maximum guide number of 47 (154 ft. /47M) at is 100.
The Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI is my favorite overall flash for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II. It offers exceptional performance and an impressive feature list that will take your photography lighting to new heights.
It offers Canon’s advanced on camera Auto Intelligence Bounce technology that accurately measures all the info needed to automatically tilt and rotate your flash for optimal lighting. It accounts for focal distance and ambient lighting creating very flattering subject lighting. This is by far my favorite Canon speedlite and it pairs perfectly with the 6D.
- Features Auto Intelligent Bounce Head
- Flash is compatible with Canon ETTL and ETTL II
- Zoom range of 24-105mm
- Offers tilt and rotation
- Guide number of 154′ at ISO 100 and 105mm
- Offers optical receiver mode
- Features AI.B full auto and AI.B semi auto mode
- Has an LCD panel
- Features an AF assist beam
- Battery powered
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash
- Improved performance of continuous flash by approx. 1.1 to 1.5x* for fast firing (up to 2.0x* if used with optional Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N).
- Wireless flash shooting support is available for both radio and optical transmission, offering users greater functional range when using a flash.
- Multiple flash system allows control of up to five groups of flashes;Approx. 100-700 flashes.
This is another top Canon speedlite flash that offers real professional performance. It offers a bit more on the feature set than the 470EX-AI above and comes in at a price point. It also offers a more powerful guide number, 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm.
It also performs at better when using continuous flash making this a great option for the pro portrait photographer. It comes equipped with a hard cord filter, flash case and bounce adapter. The radio system works flawlessly with great range making this a great off camera flash in addition to being a great on camera external flash. Range is up to 98.4 feet with five groups and a total of fifteen speedlites. This flash also works with obstacles. If it’s within your budget you won’t find a better flash for your Canon 6D.
- Fully compatible with E-TTL and E-TTL II
- Powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm
- Offers a zoom range of 20-200mm
- Offers flash head tilt and rotation
- Continuous flash shooting
- Features high speed and 1st and 2nd curtain sync
- Offers bounce adapter and hard color filters
- Battery powered
Yongnuo Speedlite YN600EX-RT II Flash
- Compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL
- The YN600EX-RT II can be used as on-camera master unit and remote slave unit of Canon's RT system,and supports Gr grouping mode.
- GN60@ISO100，200mm;supports high-speed sync TTL, manual flash, Gr grouping flash, the highest synchronous speed can reach 1/8000s
This is an awesome budget flash for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II. It does not offer the performance of the first two speedlites but it packs a real punch for such a low price tag. It provides a powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm. You also get a great zoom range of 20-200mm.
The tilt and rotation allow for great bounce lighting as well. At this price tag it is the best budget priced external flash for the 6D. Read the complete guide to the best Yongnuo flash for Canon.
- Fully compatible with all Canon E-TTL and E-TTL II
- Powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm
- Offers a zoom range of 20-200mm
- Features head tilt and rotation for bounce lighting
- Offers wireless slave and master modes
- Recycle time of three seconds
- Offers high speed and 1st and 2nd curtain sync
- Battery powered
Best External Manual Flash for Canon 6D
Yongnuo YN560-IV Speedlite
- YN560 IV=YN560III+YN560-TX, Supports Wireless Master Function.
- YN-560 IV can be used as master unit, provides 3 independent groups with controlling abiligy, realizing remote control the flas mode, flash output,...
- One YN-560 IV can receive the wireless signal from YN560 IV, YN560-TX, RF-603 II and RF-602, with optical 16 channels. When YN-560 IV and YN560-TX...
The Yongnuo YN560-IV is a great manual flash that offers the ability to trigger additional flashes from the long range of 328 feet. It is fully compatible with RF-603 and RF-602 wireless transmitters.
You also get a powerful guide number of 190′ at ISO 100 and 105mm. It provides solid performance with multi stop power output for added versatility. This is a great option for the 6D photographer looking for a manual external flash.
- Long range triggering of additional flashes
- Powerful guide number of 190′ at ISO 100 and 105mm
- Long zoom range of 24-105mm
- Stepped power output
- Offers head tilt and rotation
- Features optical slave mode
- Features multi flash mode
- Offers PC sync along with HV power ports
- Battery powered
Bolt VD-410 Manual Flash
The Bolt VD-410 is my pick for the best budget manual flash compatible with the Canon 6D Mark II. It provides very simple operation with solid performance at a very reasonable price tag. It comes with a decent guide number of 124.7′ at ISO 100. It works as an on camera or off camera trigger flash. You can control it wirelessly with decent range as well. It offers manual power output and you get flash head tilt and rotation. The flash covers standard 35mm and longer lenses. It also offers you a built in diffuser for additional coverage. While it won’t be the best flash you have ever used it is a great budget option for photographers looking for a manual flash option.
- Reasonable price
- Easy to use
- Offers a guide number of 124.7′ at ISO 100
- Manual power output of 1/1 to 1/128
- Offers head rotation and tilt
- Features optical slave mode with a range of 33 feet
- Has instant sync and skip preflash slave mode
- Quick recycle time
- Has both PC sync and an external power socket
- Battery powered
Conclusion
I love my Canon EOS 6D Mark II and use it often for my portrait photography sessions. It is a great camera but investing in a top rated flash will help you get the most out of your camera. After using dozens of flashes over the years I can attest to how much your image quality will improve with a great external flash. Depending on your budget, any of the above best picks will help you capture the best images you can.
For more photography tips and guides check out these articles