Flash gun

[MarkNI]

Can anyone suggest a cheaper alternative that will work with my D2X?  I have a jessops flash, but it doesn't seem to work ttl it only ever flashes at full volume for want of a better word!!!

Really don't want to spend too much as it won't get enough use to warrant spending the money on a speedlite!!

Thanks

[Graham]

I opted to go manual with flash from the offset. I use a Yongnuo with power settings from full to 1/128th. You have to think about it more but at under £50 they are powerful and come with built in radio trigger. I have a pair of triggers and an on camera controller from which I can control the zoom and power of the flash unit without having to go to wherever the flash is.

[JHFoto]

I use a Yongnou mostly off camera as a slave....

[MarkNI]

I opted to go manual with flash from the offset. I use a Yongnuo with power settings from full to 1/128th. You have to think about it more but at under £50 they are powerful and come with built in radio trigger. I have a pair of triggers and an on camera controller from which I can control the zoom and power of the flash unit without having to go to wherever the flash is.

Thanks Graham, I'll have to have a look at them and the triggers and on camera controller sounds pretty cool!!

[stevedevil]

Sorry as have always kept dedicated flash on my camera's, as with manual flashes you are always calculating light levels, exposure, etc etc, when I know that ETTL can also cause major issues, the dedication to flash can give you better control over certain modes within the camera, so Flash Exposure, where you can meter up to 3 stops with the dedication, 

 

I know money is always tight when your looking at new gear / upgrades, but I have found that saving that little harder can get you want, rather than something you might find hard to use 

 

Steve

[Graham]

I don't find manual flash hard to use. I grew up using film cameras and manual flash, there was no such thing as TTL flash back then. I personally would not pay nearly as much for a flash gun as a camera body just for TTL. Manual flash is like anything else, just a matter of getting used to your gear. For the same reason, I now mainly use manual exposure too. Only time I don't is in a snapshot situation, like a party or such where I set the camera into 'P' mode just so I don't have to think about it.

As always, there is no right or wrong, manual is just my choice.

[MarkNI]

Think I might keep an eye for a decent one on ebay and work a bit harder with my current jessops flash in the meantime.  I really don't want to spend a lot because it just won't get the use to justify the outlay!!

Any cheap alternatives anyone knows of still appreciated though

[Paul80]

Hi

 

As long as the trigger voltage is not an issue there are a huge number of the old none dedicated Flashguns with Auto exposure options that used to work well in the film days so should work equally as well in the digital age.  My old Metz 45 gave faultless results, as long as you recognise the times when it would need a little help, but that the same with TTL systems as well.

 

Look to the second hand market for an older well regarded auto flash, from the likes of Metz, Sunpak, Vivitar, National etc. Just be careful and check the trigger voltage is not too high for the delicate digital cameras of today

 

Paul

[ChrisLumix]

One of the classics is the Vivitar 283, which is still being made, but now for DSLRs (SLR versions can be picked up cheap from eBay but might not have the right voltages):

 

http://www.vivitar.com/products/9/flashes-and-accessories/1117/df-283

[VWGolf]

Don't rely on finding a second-hand Nikon flash at a good price on eBay - they always go for silly money.  I know - I've looked often enough, in the hopes of finding one that I'm familiar with.  I use one SB600 and one Jessops cheapie - this latter had no manual and I cannot find anything online, so it's always a matter of guessing. 

 

I was relying on using the Commander mode on my Nikon, but I'm hoping that having bought some Yongnuo controller/receivers, life will become a lot simpler for me, and they do all the hard work and it doesn't matter whether it's a Nikon flash or not.  Well, in theory - still getting to grips with them (as well as saving up for even more rechargeable batteries - a total of fourteen required for both flashes and three Yongnuo thingies!)