What external Flash Can I use?

[soken]

Hi,

I found that the forum is really helpful. and people here are nice.

I have another question regarding the flash.
The flash on my a200 is not working. I haven't use the flash since the first day i bought it a few months ago. I found it did work recently. It does not flash even I put it at "force open" mode.

I think I need to send it to service center.

Do I need to buy an external flash? the sony flash is quite expensive(the cheapest in shop is 475), Can I buy a 2nd hand Minolta flash? does it work well on the a200 body?

Thanks a ton!

[Lexar]

Originally Posted by soken Hi, I found that the forum is really helpful. and people here are nice. I have another question regarding the flash. The flash on my a200 is not working. I haven't use the flash since the first day i bought it a few months ago. I found it did work recently. It does not flash even I put it at "force open" mode. I think I need to send it to service center. Do I need to buy an external flash? the sony flash is quite expensive(the cheapest in shop is 475), Can I buy a 2nd hand Minolta flash? does it work well on the a200 body? Thanks a ton!

$475 is the retail price at SonyStyle, street price is very much lower, about 100+ lesser...

[afipuffy]

hmmm your flash cant work even if you use force mode? How about this, try to use M mode and then press the flash button to lift up the flash and press the shutter to see if it give u the full flash. If not, try to bring to the service center and had it fix. Guess the contact or the wirring isndie the body having some prob. Can let them check for you. Dun waste money on buying flash unless you really need one like event photographer. Save money f0r better things bro.

Cheers

[Jelline]

Originally Posted by Lexar $475 is the retail price at SonyStyle, street price is very much lower, about 100+ lesser...

Where would u get ur sony accessories from? MS? any shops in town?

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Jelline Where would u get ur sony accessories from? MS? any shops in town?

Ms Color or Cathay.

[photatographer]

I go Cathay initially, but switched to MS color. Better experience there. They even let me test the 70-200mm G

[Getz10]

Originally Posted by afipuffy hmmm your flash cant work even if you use force mode? How about this, try to use M mode and then press the flash button to lift up the flash and press the shutter to see if it give u the full flash. If not, try to bring to the service center and had it fix. Guess the contact or the wirring isndie the body having some prob. Can let them check for you. Dun waste money on buying flash unless you really need one like event photographer. Save money f0r better things bro. Cheers

Seriously I dun understand at all on Sony having a "force mode" for flash
On-board flash dun trigger when being lifted means it's faulty, better send it in for servicing.

There's a lot more flash could add to photography and not just for event only. U could always get a Minolta 5400HS/xi which is quite cheap but no TTL which could be a good way to "force" u understand more on flash & light.

[afipuffy]

Originally Posted by Getz10 Seriously I dun understand at all on Sony having a "force mode" for flash On-board flash dun trigger when being lifted means it's faulty, better send it in for servicing. There's a lot more flash could add to photography and not just for event only. U could always get a Minolta 5400HS/xi which is quite cheap but no TTL which could be a good way to "force" u understand more on flash & light.

Yups, im using 5400HS now with another vivitar flash too. All manual mode. Cos its quite fun. Yes i know that having a flash is quite fun to play with and many creative things to do but the qs is, tight budget or not? if yes, then don't invest for the flash. Maybe try to get it service for the built in flash. If no, then why not invest in flash. Maybe buy one or two flash of 5400HS(cost $90 2nd hand) and add with radio remote($60) to play with the wireless flash triger for product shoot or creative shoot.