External flashes

[Furgus]

I have a D50 and I have both the 800 and the 600, and I am expecting to get a few more... Would love the new SB-900 but can't imagine paying more for that then my camera

 

[YesDear]

I agree with the SB600. Since you describe yourself as a real novice, the SB600 can be set on its equivalent of auto and have at it. I have the SB800 and agree the 600 is all you will need. The 400 is a great little flash but the lack of bounce will bother you as you grow as a photographer.

 

[El Nebuloso]

One more vote for the SB600. I have had mine for almost two years, use it alot more often than I ever thought and have never regretted the money spent.

 

[MICKEY88]

no matter what brand dslr you use, check out this new sony flash,, Sony just raised the bar with this one...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKn5Bs1mNaI



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEQ_wzzVNFc&feature=related

 

[steery1]

I've just received this flash unit a couple of days ago. Haven't had a chance to try it out properly yet.

 

[MICKEY88]

I've just received this flash unit a couple of days ago. Haven't had a chance to try it out properly yet.

which flash is that..??

 

[steery1]

which flash is that..??

Click the link in my post.
HVL-F42AM

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Click the link in my post.
HVL-F42AM

I'll be interested to learn how you like that flash Steery1. I'm looking to pick something up in the near future.

The new Sony flash looks incredible. And incredibly expensive!!!!

 

[MICKEY88]

Click the link in my post.
HVL-F42AM

I did click the link, I watched the video 4 or 5 times and didn't see any identification of the flash...\\


duhhhhhhh now I see it in the description to the right.. I really need to start sleeping at night..

 

[MICKEY88]

I'll be interested to learn how you like that flash Steery1. I'm looking to pick something up in the near future.

The new Sony flash looks incredible. And incredibly expensive!!!!

expensive, but incredible, and moe likely to work on the next 2 generation of sony dslrs

 

[WVDisGeek]

I need some help! Trying to decide between the AF360 and the AF540 for my K200D. Any help/suggestions one way or the other would be greatly appreciated. I ned something other than the little pop-up!!!

Is the 540 worth the premium over the 360? I don't do a lot of portrait work. I am looking for more in the way of fill flash and using indoors (not on rides of course! ) for general use.

The K200D won't rear-curtain synch without an external flash. Either the 360 or 540 fires remotely so I guess I just need som help deciding if the additional power of the 540 is worth it.

Thanks!

 

[ukcatfan]

I went through this decision recently myself. I went with the 360 b/c the extra cost just did not seem worth it to me. Also consider the Metz flash though. I came very close to getting it. I am pretty sure that you can wirelessly control the flash with you K200D, so not rotating is not as big of a problem for bouncing the flash in portrait with the 360.

 

[WVDisGeek]

ukcatfan,

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you have the model number of the Metz you looked at? I am leaning toward the 360, but I am willing to look at soemthing that is cheaper, if it does the job! I guess it is the accountant in me! Would leave more $$ for other toys!

 

[ukcatfan]

ukcatfan,

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you have the model number of the Metz you looked at? I am leaning toward the 360, but I am willing to look at soemthing that is cheaper, if it does the job! I guess it is the accountant in me! Would leave more $$ for other toys!

I am also an accountant!

I believe that there was only one Metz for the Pentax mount. It was more expensive than the 360. I believe it was close to the 540 cost, but had better user reviews than the 540.

 

[Groucho]

I went with the 360 also. The extra power would be nice (not that the 360 is dim by any means), but the big thing that I miss on the 360 is no swivel head, so I can't bounce off a ceiling when the flash is on the camera and I'm shooting in portrait orientation. Fortunately it's not a dealbreaker, I just pop the flash off the camera and handhold it and use the wireless feature to bounce it that way. Works great.

I believe that the K200D can also run the flash wirelessly via the onboard flash, a really great feature (and I think a unique one among entry-level DSLRs.)

Like Kevin said, the extra cost was the killer for me... I just couldn't justify it. Maybe some time in the future. But I'm kind of taking "baby steps" with the flash stuff, I am still just using the diffuser built-in to the 360 rather than an add-on one, I don't have a flash stand, etc.

 

[WVDisGeek]

Thanks guys! Great info, as usual.
I have checked and the K200D can control the flash (or flashes) wirelessly, so the pivot function is not a dealbreaker. I have read some reviews on the Metz and there appear to be some issues with the TTL metering/exposure not being "exactly" right on. I think for the money, I will stick with the Pentax flash. I know that it will work well with the K200D.

Thanks again!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

OK...maybe I'm losing my mind but wasn't there a thread about taking pics in darks rides (w/o flash of course)???? Can someone direct me to it?

 

[DueyDooDah]

Here you go

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18905049#post18905049&highlight=dark+ride

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Thank you!!!

 

[Gdad]

Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to use one yet. I see the price has dropped to around $420- still fairly pricey but better than it was...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08070101nikonsb900.asp

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/07/review-nikon-sb-900-speedlight.html