External flashes

[Groucho]

I've occasionally gotten away with 1/30th but 1/50 or 1/60th are definitely "safer".

This is, IMHO, the best shot I got with the K-x and the 50mm F1.4. (I didn't really do much in the way of dark ride shooting this past trip, so I have no new examples.) This was F1.8, 1/60th, ISO 10,000 (on Auto with 12,800 as the max.) I'm very pleased with the results - sharp, good color, and definitely brighter than the original ride!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I'm searching for answers. I'm relatively new to DSLR. I'm watching youtube videos on exposure, f-stop, aperture, ISO, etc. But I'm still at the bottom of the learning curve.
I'm wanting a new flash for my Pentax K-x DSLR. I'm wanting something that is simple enough that i can use RIGHT NOW, with mostly automatic settings, but that can be used for more advanced settings as I grow with this. If I buy a better grade flash with all options will it be simple enough for a newbie UNTIL I can learn all this?

OR Should I buy something more basic on ebay till I get the hang of it?

I use my camera for internet sales, vacations, and family and pet pictures.

Take yourself back to when you were learning and answer from your current experience.
Thanks!

 

[VVFF]

I am not very familiar with pentax's flash system but typically they are fairly automatic nowadays. The flash judges how much flash is needed to expose the scene correctly. I don't see any reason not to get a nice one now. Worst case, you'll use it as a more powerful and slightly more diffuse flash. Best case, you'll get into bouncing, remote operating, diffusing etc.

 

[JoeDif]

Absolutely get one that has a head that moves up / down and rotates right and left. Those are much better for bouncing light off walls, ceilings, etc.

If you can get one with a TTL function (communicates directly with the camera as to aperture, shutter speed, ISO).

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Thanks. I positively want one that can be angled up and down. I didnt know they angled side to side, so I'll have to look for that as well.
I found a Vivitar on ebay that is moveable as earlier mentioned, but essentially its just a brighter flash than what came on the camera. It doesnt have any real controls. It does what the camera says and there are no other user options.
I have noticed the flashes that bring more money are the ones that you, the user, control. I'm leaning towards that style. I just dont want to buy one that I cant figure out, and that has no automatic settings, because that would defeat the whole purpose. Especially if I program it wrong. (If thats even possible)

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I use an older one myself that is not automatic, it is completely Manual but was a high end flash in its day (I think) it has a moveable head for bouncing as well. Its a Pentax AF 240Z, I got a great deal on it thats why I havent upgraded to a newer snazzier one. I find it difficult to use at times when I need it to work quickly, it takes me a few seconds to set up and on occasion I get lucky and get the shot I wanted the first shot but not often. I say get this kind if you want to learn (I dont use it very often due to it being difficult to set up). Get the Automatic Fancy Schmanzy one to save yourself this needless aggravation!

 

[mabas9395]

Those ebay flashes may be "compatible", but what you may end up loosing though is all of those automatic functions that it sounds like you looking for. When I was looking at flashes, there were several ebay styles that would go off when you pressed the shutter, but there was no communication between the flash and camera, so you had to do everything by manual settings. And many photographers actually want that (you may too eventually).

But for you, it sounds like you may want to stick with the standard Pentax brand flashes to ensure you have all of the auto functions. I know that Sigma also makes flashes that are compatible with other brands (at usually cheaper prices that Pentax). This one for example.

So if I were you, I'd stay away from the ebay flashes for a while. I would also visit a brand-specific photography forum to get some more specific recommendations from some more experienced users (until the Pentax crew around here speaks up).

 

[Golf4food]

Problem is that you have three Pentax flashes - the cheap on that doesn't pivot or angle (forget it) and then the middle one that moves up and down but does not move side to side and then the expensive one that does all four. Sadly, the middle flash gets better reviews in almost all cases over the more expensive one, but you lose the side-to-side motion.

 

[WVDisGeek]

Problem is that you have three Pentax flashes - the cheap on that doesn't pivot or angle (forget it) and then the middle one that moves up and down but does not move side to side and then the expensive one that does all four. Sadly, the middle flash gets better reviews in almost all cases over the more expensive one, but you lose the side-to-side motion.

I have the middle one (The 360) and I love it. I would like the side to side, but it really is only an issue for me when shooting in vertical (portrait) orientation. Otherwise, the flash does eveything I need out of a flash, has good distance and can be used fully auto (P-TTL) or full manual. On my K200D it is wireless capable (not sure on the k-x) so it opens up just about any positioning you could want to use. For me personally, I had read the less than enthusiastic reviews for the high end (540) flash and couldn't justify the extra cash and stuck with the 360. I have been very happy.

Spend an hour with the manual and you will be able to get up and running with most functions and a little more time will get you the rest.

Good Luck!

 

[ukcatfan]

The K-x does have the remote capability, so the non-rotating head on the 360 is not that big of a deal. I am completely happy with mine. I would stay away from off brands as well because some of the old flashes made for a film camera can damage your digital camera and void the warranty (this included old film Pentax brand flashes). The designed for digital (i.e. new model) flashes from Sigma and Metz will be fine. The Metz Mecablitz have reviewed well, but are no cheaper than the Pentax brand. I suggest looking into a Gary Fong diffuser for whatever one you get.

 

[dolPhinlovEr83]

I own a Pentax DSLR K100D and am looking for an external flash to work with my camera. Any suggestions?? I am not a professional photographer, it's just a hobby!


Also, while on the topic, I truly love taking pics, bu I get bored of taking pics of objects again and again. I really enjoy taking pics of people, but it's just me and my husband and my husband hates being in pics. Honestly, I would love to just take pics of weddings (took over 1000 pics at my sis's wedding and some of them came out amazing!) and special events for fun, but that just doesn't seem feasible! Any ideas/suggestions??

TIA

 

[ukcatfan]

The Pentax AF360 is a pretty decent flash for the money. The only problem is that it is not a rotating one, so you cannot bounce the flash in portrait orientation. If you need that, there is the AF540. If you do not need to bounce at all, then there is the AF200. There are also a couple Sigma and Metz brand flashes as well. If I remember correctly, the Sigma is not as functional as the Pentax. The Metz is supposed to be pretty nice, but is no cheaper than the AF540.

For other ideas of people to shoot, think about parties.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have both the Sigma EF 530 ST and the Super. The Super is their top of the line with the wireless off camera flash, multi-pulse (strobe effect), full swivel head and a bunch of other options I haven't explored. The ST is more of a basic flash with full swivel head. At $219 the Super is pretty good deal and the ST is $149 (both B & H prices). Both have worked flawlessly for me.

 

[zackiedawg]

Another idea if you want to shoot more people and portraits...try your hand at some street candids - just people outdoors working, driving, exercising, etc - parks, streets, cities, cafes, whatever you have near you. If there are public parks nearby, try your hand at people playing sports...it's great practice and helps hone your technique and familiarity with the camera - frisbee, baseball, tennis, jogging, football, etc.

You can also try animals...birds are everywhere and present a challenge. Try looking closer at things - photograph bugs. Head out at night instead of day, and try your hand at some night shots...both handheld high ISO and slow shutter on a tripod. There's always something you can shoot, and there's plenty of ideas other than basic objects...just get out there and play with the camera - don't worry if they don't come out all that hot - it's all just for practice and fun, and it doesn't cost anything to delete the ones that don't work out!

 

[kangareaux]

I kinda sorta dropped my bounce flash on a hospital floor and busted it into many pieces. GOOD news is that I just bought it and I have accident protection on it through my credit card so it SHOULD be warrentied. So I don't want to run out and buy another one until I know how the credit card warranty procedure works.

A friend offered to lend me her Nikon Flash if it would work. (I NEED one for saturday after next. No way around it!) But I don't know if it will work or if I even want to try it and risk damaging the flash or the camera. Do any of you know if it will work?

I don't know her flash model, but I have a Canon rebel xs and she has a Nikon D40 and her flash came with her camera. (Yeah, little cameras, but we're small women and light is good! LOL!)

 

[disneyboy2003]

Hmmm, when photographers recommend that you "bounce your flash", I didn't think that they meant for you to *literally* bounce your flash onto the floor! That's probably why it's busted into many pieces!

just kidding

I'm going to guess that the Nikon flash won't work on your Canon camera. Just like your friend's Nikon lenses won't work on your Canon camera, and vice versa.

If you have time, you can try renting a Canon external flash. Try lensrentals.com. They'll ship your item via UPS 2nd day air, so you'd better hurry! You can rent the Canon Speedlite 580EX II for 4 days for $29.25! (link) Or, see if you have a local camera store that does weekend rentals, too.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mosca]

It will "work" as in, it will flash. But you'll have to set the metering manually, the automatic TTL metering won't function.

 

[photo_chick]

Will it flash? The contacts are different. I'm an available light shooter, so I don't dally in flashes much.

However, I do know that the wrong flash can cause a voltage surge and kill a camera. I'm not saying that's the case here... just a warning.

 

[Mosca]

I've put a Canon 280 Speedlight on a Nikon camera, and it worked. I would agree, though, that a call to someone like B&H would probably be better than taking my word for it.

 

[kangareaux]

LMBO!

Y'all sound just like the voices in my head! (OK...that didn't sound right but you know what I mean! )

"It could work...."
"It probably won't qork RIGHT though..."
"But will it hurt the camera or flash?"
"I don't know...lets ask someone...."
(Well, not exactly like that....said in one voice...not 2! LOL!)



Thanks guys....for the help and the laugh! (Even though I suppose I was really only laughing at myself. )