Flash

[maximize]

Hi.. i am using a200. i am thinking of adding a flash to my accessories. however i am new to getting a flash. i roughly understand wat is guide no. all abt, and roughly like adjusting the flash setting with the camera... a lot of trial and error....

i am currently looking at the HVL-36AM flash.. cos its cheap and good enough for a small indoor shots and probably some outdoor shoot to remove shadows from protraits.... i saw there is some omibounce, diffuser and stuff like that, so any suggestion which shld i get. just something simple to carry around...

i noe that there is some flashes where u can do it off the hot shoe. so any additional accessories i need to get to do this?

hope to get some great tips from u guyz. thks upfront.

(i hv done my search on the forum and in the net... tink i am really overwhelm but the amount of info since spend 2 dayz reading it... esp for someone never use an external flash before really dun understand much of whats been said... so really hope u guyz can help...)

[jasbay]

I'm using 36 too. lowest end and discontinued. but enjoying it.

was surprised to learn from my Canon friend that his brand did not come with build-in wireless.

so we are lucky to use sony with build-in wireless even for lowest end (me using A100) camera and flash.

the flash works nicely on pictures when fired away from camera. carry one big lump of blue tag and you can mount your flash on rubbish bin, lamp-post, even those zig-zag green wire fence.

outdoor shoot you can adjust the EV flash value until it suits the power you need. too harsh? I'll drop the EV 1-2 stop and try again.

indoor walkabout more difficult to play with flash cos its hotshoe mounted. I use a-better-bounce-card when there is no ceiling. 36 cannot bounce wall for landscape orientation shots bcos it has no tilt swivel.

[jasbay]

my 36 was rested on a high stool with the head angled downwards beside the shoes. natural sunlight was coming in from above the pond. (was just playing with the flash. pls pardon the compo)

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by jasbay I'm using 36 too. lowest end and discontinued. but enjoying it. was surprised to learn from my Canon friend that his brand did not come with build-in wireless. so we are lucky to use sony with build-in wireless even for lowest end (me using A100) camera and flash. the flash works nicely on pictures when fired away from camera. carry one big lump of blue tag and you can mount your flash on rubbish bin, lamp-post, even those zig-zag green wire fence. outdoor shoot you can adjust the EV flash value until it suits the power you need. too harsh? I'll drop the EV 1-2 stop and try again. indoor walkabout more difficult to play with flash cos its hotshoe mounted. I use a-better-bounce-card when there is no ceiling. 36 cannot bounce wall for landscape orientation shots bcos it has no tilt swivel.

get the lambency / LS...

[maximize]

Originally Posted by jasbay I'm using 36 too. lowest end and discontinued. but enjoying it. was surprised to learn from my Canon friend that his brand did not come with build-in wireless. so we are lucky to use sony with build-in wireless even for lowest end (me using A100) camera and flash. the flash works nicely on pictures when fired away from camera. carry one big lump of blue tag and you can mount your flash on rubbish bin, lamp-post, even those zig-zag green wire fence. outdoor shoot you can adjust the EV flash value until it suits the power you need. too harsh? I'll drop the EV 1-2 stop and try again. indoor walkabout more difficult to play with flash cos its hotshoe mounted. I use a-better-bounce-card when there is no ceiling. 36 cannot bounce wall for landscape orientation shots bcos it has no tilt swivel.

So the 36 can do wireless with a200? thats great. then dun hv to get extra accessories. thanks for the info. i intend to get it cos dun think i will really use it often. but its definitely a nice accessories to hv. i noe the a200 has a wireless flash function in the menu but yet to try it before...

[maximize]

Originally Posted by godzilla60 get the lambency / LS...

what is the effect of using the lambency diffuser as compared to those omibounce? is the effect more natural and better? does my flash has to be those horizontal swivel type to use it?

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by maximize what is the effect of using the lambency diffuser as compared to those omibounce? is the effect more natural and better? does my flash has to be those horizontal swivel type to use it?

LS/LAMBENCY works as a lightbulb effect....throws light really all around and has its own dome to bounce....

a bigger surface area to bounce helps to soften the effect....

[reaper3075]

Originally Posted by maximize what is the effect of using the lambency diffuser as compared to those omibounce? is the effect more natural and better? does my flash has to be those horizontal swivel type to use it?

i used the better bounce card for a while but switched to lambency. its a replica from the original Gary Fong Lightsphere see this : http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html

it works great indoors and esp good outdoors as the dome acts as a diffused ceiling for you to bounce your light on.

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by reaper3075 i used the better bounce card for a while but switched to lambency. its a replica from the original Gary Fong Lightsphere see this : http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html it works great indoors and esp good outdoors as the dome acts as a diffused ceiling for you to bounce your light on.

same here...i used the ABBC til just upgraded to lambency... loving the effects already

[jasbay]

Sounds cool. Widely available? Generic use on any alpha flash?

[LQ235]

Originally Posted by maximize Hi.. i am using a200. i am thinking of adding a flash to my accessories. however i am new to getting a flash. i roughly understand wat is guide no. all abt, and roughly like adjusting the flash setting with the camera... a lot of trial and error.... i am currently looking at the HVL-36AM flash.. cos its cheap and good enough for a small indoor shots and probably some outdoor shoot to remove shadows from protraits.... i saw there is some omibounce, diffuser and stuff like that, so any suggestion which shld i get. just something simple to carry around... i noe that there is some flashes where u can do it off the hot shoe. so any additional accessories i need to get to do this? hope to get some great tips from u guyz. thks upfront. (i hv done my search on the forum and in the net... tink i am really overwhelm but the amount of info since spend 2 dayz reading it... esp for someone never use an external flash before really dun understand much of whats been said... so really hope u guyz can help...)

Bro, would advise you to get the HVL-F42AM, I just bought mine 4 days ago, it has the same functions as the 36AM but with more power, GN42, plus it can swivel 90* to the left and 180* to the right..so the choices of bouncing are endless. Btw i got mine for over S$3XX, a far cry from the original price of S$475 at Sony's website..

[maximize]

Originally Posted by LQ235 Bro, would advise you to get the HVL-F42AM, I just bought mine 4 days ago, it has the same functions as the 36AM but with more power, GN42, plus it can swivel 90* to the left and 180* to the right..so the choices of bouncing are endless. Btw i got mine for over S$3XX, a far cry from the original price of S$475 at Sony's website..

definitely worth considering bro... add a bit more u will get more play with it... well.. probably hv to wait for a good offer to come up... actually the price difference is not that great unlike the 56AM.. thks for the encouragement..

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by jasbay Sounds cool. Widely available? Generic use on any alpha flash?

i'd say is widely available.... there are MOs going on...

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by LQ235 Bro, would advise you to get the HVL-F42AM, I just bought mine 4 days ago, it has the same functions as the 36AM but with more power, GN42, plus it can swivel 90* to the left and 180* to the right..so the choices of bouncing are endless. Btw i got mine for over S$3XX, a far cry from the original price of S$475 at Sony's website..

yup......swiveling is good.....in fact i think all flashes should come with it....

i would have recommend F56AM but it is discontinued....

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by maximize definitely worth considering bro... add a bit more u will get more play with it... well.. probably hv to wait for a good offer to come up... actually the price difference is not that great unlike the 56AM.. thks for the encouragement..

maybe can try mscolor, look for florence?

[DiGdUb]

Can consider getting the sigma 530 super also.

[sherchoo]

I'm using both 3600HSD (HVL-36 equi) and 5600HSD (HVL-56 equi) and I must say the swivel is a must. Using the 36 as backup only. Always carrying my 56 around. I strongly recommend getting the flash with swivel.

My 2 cents worth.

[maximize]

Originally Posted by sherchoo I'm using both 3600HSD (HVL-36 equi) and 5600HSD (HVL-56 equi) and I must say the swivel is a must. Using the 36 as backup only. Always carrying my 56 around. I strongly recommend getting the flash with swivel. My 2 cents worth.

ok.. will take the advice for a swivel type.. although it will not cost less than 2c to my budget.. i think it will be worth it...

[LQ235]

Originally Posted by sherchoo I'm using both 3600HSD (HVL-36 equi) and 5600HSD (HVL-56 equi) and I must say the swivel is a must. Using the 36 as backup only. Always carrying my 56 around. I strongly recommend getting the flash with swivel. My 2 cents worth.

Haha..see, everyone is encouraging you to buy a flash with at least a swivel function..cause i dont think it should be left out too!

[OldFlower]

Originally Posted by maximize Hi.. i am using a200. i am thinking of adding a flash to my accessories. however i am new to getting a flash. i roughly understand wat is guide no. all abt, and roughly like adjusting the flash setting with the camera... a lot of trial and error.... i am currently looking at the HVL-36AM flash.. cos its cheap and good enough for a small indoor shots and probably some outdoor shoot to remove shadows from protraits.... i saw there is some omibounce, diffuser and stuff like that, so any suggestion which shld i get. just something simple to carry around... i noe that there is some flashes where u can do it off the hot shoe. so any additional accessories i need to get to do this? hope to get some great tips from u guyz. thks upfront. (i hv done my search on the forum and in the net... tink i am really overwhelm but the amount of info since spend 2 dayz reading it... esp for someone never use an external flash before really dun understand much of whats been said... so really hope u guyz can help...)

To me, I feel the higher the GN the better it would be - more spark as and when needed (esp for bouncing up high ceilings or reaching far walls or overcoming intense backlightings).
Currently converted my flash collection to 2 58AM to complement my 1 existing Minolta 5600HS, now using Gary Fong's Lightsphere Universal.

I NEVER, use a flash without any form of diffusing.