Recommendation of an External Flash for F717

[parn23]

Hi,
can anyone recommend a good external flash for F717?
Thanks!

[mpenza]

The usual popular auto flash would work well: Vivitar 285HV (~$135-140), Metz 32Z-1 (~$170). These're the more powerful ones and less than $200.

[parn23]

Quote: Originally posted by mpenza The usual popular auto flash would work well: Vivitar 285HV (~$135-140), Metz 32Z-1 (~$170). These're the more powerful ones and less than $200.

oic.

forgive me....I'm still a newbie to this kind of things.... if comparing with the Vivitar 285HV, Metz 32Z & Sony F1000... which is better?
thanks!

[Falcon]

I thought sony cam must only get sony flash? Mpenza, can explain what is auto flash? Advantages and disadvanges over those dedicated ones like Sony F1000.

[mpenza]

707 need to use the Sony flash cos it only has a dummy shoe (no contact to trigger flash). On the 717, they have incorporated a real hot shoe which can trigger flashes.

The Sony flash is weak (GN 28m) and from what I hear there's no TTL support. So it works just like any auto flash but is priced higher.

Vivitar 285HV is cheaper and yet much more powerful (GN 43m). It can tilt but can't swivel.

Metz 32Z-1 is quite powerful (GN 37m) and could tilt and swivel.

Here's some information on external flash:
http://www.chem.helsinki.fi/~toomas/...flash-faq.html

[Falcon]

Tks alot mpenza.

[parn23]

wow, seems that the Vivitar 285HV is quite good. But I found that the size is quite big leh, is there any other flash which has similar performance but smaller in size??

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by parn23 wow, seems that the Vivitar 285HV is quite good. But I found that the size is quite big leh, is there any other flash which has similar performance but smaller in size??

The Nikon SB22,24 series are smaller and just as powerful.

However they cost substantially more 2nd hand compared to the Vivitar 285HV. For the F717, the size and bulk of the 285 might affect the balance of your camera and make it unwieldy.

The Metz should be a better option in your case.

[parn23]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer The Nikon SB22,24 series are smaller and just as powerful. However they cost substantially more 2nd hand compared to the Vivitar 285HV. For the F717, the size and bulk of the 285 might affect the balance of your camera and make it unwieldy. The Metz should be a better option in your case.

oic. Thanks for info, I will try to hunt around for it.

[mpenza]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer The Nikon SB22,24 series are smaller and just as powerful.

just a minor correction: SB22 is smaller and less powerful, while SB24 is smaller and more powerful

[parn23]

I can't seems to see the SB24 in nikon's homepage. Is it an old model?

[mpenza]

It's an old model.

some info:
http://www.stahlbrandt.com/html/camera/sb-24.html

http://www.lisp.com.au/~mmphoto/nikon/sbflshs.htm

[JaGr]

let us know what u got!
i also wanna buy thinking of f1000 but seems like it doesnt work very well with 717 in auto mode cos it was designed for 707

[Astin]

mpenza, maybe I can get some help from you. I have Sony F717 and F1000 flash, as what you mentioned, F1000 is too weak. I am now thinking of buying Metz as a upgrade. Do you know the difference between 32Z1, Z2 & Z3? The prices are much different so I want to be sure what I am paying for. So far, I understand that Z1 is the basic unit, while Z2 has the TTL feature which does not work on F717, and Z3 has the motorzoom which I do not need. Any other major differences?

[parn23]

just wondering.... will canon speedlites (420EX, 540EZ..etc) works well on F717??

[mpenza]

Quote: Originally posted by Astin mpenza, maybe I can get some help from you. I have Sony F717 and F1000 flash, as what you mentioned, F1000 is too weak. I am now thinking of buying Metz as a upgrade. Do you know the difference between 32Z1, Z2 & Z3? The prices are much different so I want to be sure what I am paying for. So far, I understand that Z1 is the basic unit, while Z2 has the TTL feature which does not work on F717, and Z3 has the motorzoom which I do not need. Any other major differences?

Z3 also has the focus assist lamp which won't be activated on the 717.

Go for the 32Z1 if you want a relatively more powerful flash.

[mpenza]

Quote: Originally posted by parn23 just wondering.... will canon speedlites (420EX, 540EZ..etc) works well on F717?? )

nope. 420EX and 550EX don't have auto modes (from what I know) and you can't use them effectively on the 717.

[parn23]

Quote: Originally posted by mpenza nope. 420EX and 550EX don't have auto modes (from what I know) and you can't use them effectively on the 717.

whew! luckily you mentioned it, if not....
So, what type of auto modes are u referring to?
Anyway, how abt Nikon SB-28 or SB 50dx ?? will it be an overkill for a F717?
THanks!

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by parn23 whew! luckily you mentioned it, if not.... So, what type of auto modes are u referring to? Anyway, how abt Nikon SB-28 or SB 50dx ?? will it be an overkill for a F717? THanks!

The SB50DX is weak! Go for 2nd hand SB24/27/28 instead, no point paying for them new IMO as they are simply too expensive.

If you want to invest on a good flash now, you should consider the Metz ones as you can buy the optional TTL connectors for the major camera brands if you do change platform. Checkout the models which are compatible.

[mpenza]

Quote: Originally posted by parn23 whew! luckily you mentioned it, if not.... So, what type of auto modes are u referring to? Anyway, how abt Nikon SB-28 or SB 50dx ?? will it be an overkill for a F717? THanks!

Agree with Zerstorer. 50DX is a waste of money on the 717. If youwant it, you might as well get the Sony flash which is stronger and much cheaper. SB28 should work well but is pretty expensive brandnew. It's as powerul as the SB24, 25 and 26 and more powerful than the Vivitar 285HV. The price is pretty high brandnew though. If money is no object and you're thinking of venturing onto Nikon SLRs (note that Nikon digital cameras do not support TTL with the SB28. They require the "DX" series), it's a good flash to get.

Do note that the Metz 32Z1 does not support additonal TTL connectors. You need to get 32Z2 or 32MZ3 and above.