Congratulations Paul-Dan Dragoman, March 2025 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen".Paul-Dan Dragoman - Entry 1036 Kristine Kohl - Entry 1037 Peter Wingfield - Entry 1044
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Lighting is one of the most challenging aspects of
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For a novice-oriented camera like the Canon Rebel T5i, you also need a beginner-friendly flash like the strongCanon Speedlight 600EX II-RT/strong. You can rely on its fast recycle times, multiple lighting settings, and powerful flash output to control light for real estate photoshoots.
Likewise, I have flash alternatives that work well with the Canon T5i.
The EOS Rebel T5i is among Canon's intuitive camera bodies. When paired with the Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT, you can reinforce the sensor to ensure more light enters the camera and your real estate photos turn out sharp and beautiful.
The built-in flash of the Canon T5i works great indoors under incandescent background lights. However, there are times when the exposure compensation results in a yellowish or warmer orange cast.
With a fast recycle time of 2.5 seconds, you can keep the camera set to ISO 100 and let the flash illuminate the scene.
More than that, you can use the Canon 600EX II-RT in a wireless multiple flash setup. Even on a wireless system, the flash can illuminate a zoom range of 20 to 200mm. The 180-degrees full swivel rotation head adds flexibility to your angles in tight spaces.
When shooting at a wide angle, the built-in flash of the Canon T5i tends to create dark edges in a real estate photo. In such cases, the Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT works by coordinating with the focal length of the lens to give the best flash pattern.
While it usually recycles power in TTL mode quickly, you need to wait for 3 seconds when using full power. Meanwhile, it only takes 1.7 seconds during half-power.
Like the Canon 600EX, the Canon 430EX also features a fully swiveling bounce head. However, it only works great at focal ranges between 24 and 105mm.
Finally, the small size of the flash is also an excellent option if you want a compact camera and flash setup.
When shooting with a wide-angle setting, the Canon T5i has a dim effect on real estate photos, decreasing the amount of exposure. If you prefer a more affordable solution for this problem, a third-party yet professional-grade flash like the Altura Photo AP-305C Speedlite will suit you better.
This Altura flash feels rigid whenever you need to pivot or rotate the flash head. The downside is that it has the slowest recycle time at 4 seconds.
However, it makes up by having flexible flash modes, including TTL, manual, and multi-directional angles. Additionally, the unit uses a spinning dial instead of buttons for easy manual adjustment. In this way, you achieve versatility in complex light-changing conditions.
When selecting camera accessories like an external flash, there are a few essential things to remember for you to pick the best flash for a Canon Rebel T5i.
The flash output or guide number is among the most important aspects you need to look for in a flash for a Canon T5i. The guide number indicates how far a flash can reach.
For example, the Canon 600EX II-RT has the highest guide number on this list, boasting 197 feet at ISO 100 that can cover anywhere from 20 to 200mm.
On the other hand, Canon 430EX III-RT can reach up to 141 feet at ISO 100. Lastly, the Altura AP-305C has a flash output of up to 118 feet at ISO 100.
The recharge or recycling time is another equally crucial factor because it dictates how long you need to wait before the flash can fire again.
At full power, the Canon 600EX II-RT has the fastest recycling time of 2.5 seconds. The Canon 430EX III-RT follows at 3 seconds, whereas the Altura AP-305C is slowest at 4 seconds.
Compatibility isn't all about whether the Canon T5i will reject the flash or not. It also involves being compatible with your ideal shooting setup. Your chosen flash should function properly and give you ultimate control, whether you need to go wireless or control multiple lighting configurations.
Particularly when shooting in low light, a user-friendly interface and ergonomic controls make it seamless to tweak the settings even if you need to work fast.
While the Canon T5i isn't a full-frame sensor, it still weighs heavier than mirrorless cameras. Keep in mind that the camera would feel like an extension of your arm when shooting real estate photos, so the construction and design must align with your needs.
Finally, check if the connecting joint between the flash body and flash head has a sturdy construction. In this way, you can safely rotate or tilt the flash and use varying angles when firing the flash.
When you use any of the flashes recommended above, whether external or third-party flashes, you can improve the shooting ability of the Canon T5i and provide even lighting for your real estate photos. Make sure to weigh in their functions, strengths, and even downsides to ensure you get the best flash for your Canon T5i.
