Small External Flash for A900

[TME]

I'm finding the lack of a built-in flash rather annoying on the A900... I was taking some candids today in school and the afternoon sun was really hot and bright... so most of the figures got silhouetted... a pop-up flash would have solved the problem... I ended up having to use spot metering to get the people exposed slightly better... not so ideal as the balance is thrown off... regretted not carrying my 58 today...

So as per title - any small portable flash... the 58 takes up too much space and weighs too much and looks too intimidating for casual snaps...

[afipuffy]

Maybe 42? its not that big at 58.

[andretan]

Hey, maybe can consider a Canon Speedlite 270 + ISO hotshoe adapter?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09...dlite270ex.asp

[blurnard]

hmm a noob in this kind of stuffs..can we buy the combination as stated above?? how much would it cost in total?

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by blurnard hmm a noob in this kind of stuffs..can we buy the combination as stated above?? how much would it cost in total?

I wouldn't buy it. It becomes a "full manual" flash, instead of letting the camera control it. I suggest getting the 42AM.

[tsan81]

I would suggest you just get a 58AM. Then you can use it as a wireless commander next time.

You already using A900 for casual shoots, add on more 58AM makes not much difference ba.

[ongll]

Second this. the missing in-built flash a bit inconvenience at times.
When I don't bring flash and I need it, can't do anything esp. with high level of noise in higher iso. One example is during a low light in indoor restaurant or cafe.

The F58 itself is quite heavy to always be brought around.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by ongll Second this. the missing in-built flash a bit inconvenience at times. When I don't bring flash and I need it, can't do anything esp. with high level of noise in higher iso. One example is during a low light in indoor restaurant or cafe. The F58 itself is quite heavy to always be brought around.

When Sony released the A700, people were complaining... "How can sony release a camera and expect people to think it's pro-level if it has a built-in flash???"

And then the A900 came out, and everyone's complaining about the lack of built-in flash.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[GENO]

Originally Posted by Rashkae When Sony released the A700, people were complaining... "How can sony release a camera and expect people to think it's pro-level if it has a built-in flash???" And then the A900 came out, and everyone's complaining about the lack of built-in flash. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

dont bring camera out loh...dont shoot = NO complain

[afipuffy]

Originally Posted by GENO dont bring camera out loh...dont shoot = NO complain

haha guess you're right. There's always a way of taking picture without flash. How about black n white? Haha make it abit grainy by using high ISO. Nice right? Dont expect every to be soo dull using colours only. Maybe use some creativity or blur grainy shoot.

And i think using pro body, try not to be lazy to bring flash. If too lazy, then downgrade to entry model like a200 or a300. No complaint. Always got flash. I mean only newbies are sometimes tired to carry those heavy stuff . So entry model will be good for them and for pro user, no complaint as why flash are heavy n bulky.

And 42 is actually small enough and light weight than 58.

[Agetan]

Its really depend on the photographer isn't it?

True that having the built in flash is rather convenience, but without it, you are force to look at the available light more.

Photography is not for lazy people and if you know A-900 can't flash, then you may need to bring a flash out with you. Although I don't use flash, I will always bring at least one 56 flash with me.

I suppose, you can look at 36 flash or 56 flash as they are not that big.

Hart

[ongll]

Originally Posted by Agetan Its really depend on the photographer isn't it? True that having the built in flash is rather convenience, but without it, you are force to look at the available light more. Photography is not for lazy people and if you know A-900 can't flash, then you may need to bring a flash out with you. Although I don't use flash, I will always bring at least one 56 flash with me. I suppose, you can look at 36 flash or 56 flash as they are not that big. Hart

This is helpful, Seems we need to bring flash and prepared when lighting condition is really hard to get a proper exposure. I was hoping there was a different solution but seems the least is a smaller Sony/minolta flash can do.

Let's keep the thread to any other possible solution, I guess the TS asked about any solution instead of complaining.

[frederickykfoo]

Many of us like our cake and eat it.
If I have a camera to take candid, I will not bring a A900 if I have one. It is just too heavy and big. I will carry a smaller A700 or lower camera. Also can stand further.
If I only have a A900, if I want to take candid, I will not use flash even on the hot day sun. I will use spot metering. Yes, it may turn out panda eyes. If I have a flash and use it, I may alert the subject I am taking. So maybe I should not take in the first place.

If I can carry a A900, I should be able to carry a flash, maybe 36 or 56 or 43 and not a 58.
Have a friend who has a 1DSMKIII & 580EX, bought a small flash from Metz. All pictures are always over expose. Somehow the ETTL does not work well and usually smaller flash do not have a range or working apertures; i.e. the output cannot varies so much as compare to big flash. Recently, his GF bought him a speedite 430EX II. He is happier now carrying his 1DSMKIII & the 430EX II around.

[Getz10]

There's plenty of small Minolta flash out there.....just that they r all very old models from the film times when u had to forgo TTL, working with full manual controls. Example, I do have a Sunpak which is lighter and smaller than the Sony F36AM

Low light n no flash, just shoot RAW and u'll have 2 stop to play with to create a "balance" image.
Then again, all this might not be ideal for busy pple with the amount of work and inconvenience it brings.
Shooting is always the easiest part

[boombox]

Originally Posted by Getz10 There's plenty of small Minolta flash out there.....just that they r all very old models from the film times when u had to forgo TTL, working with full manual controls. Example, I do have a Sunpak which is lighter and smaller than the Sony F36AM Low light n no flash, just shoot RAW and u'll have 2 stop to play with to create a "balance" image. Then again, all this might not be ideal for busy pple with the amount of work and inconvenience it brings. Shooting is always the easiest part

That's a good alternative. The small, tiny manual flashes work, that is.

People just forgot so quickly, that mounting a flash and just shooting with it without the need to ponder over flash settings is a rather recent invention. We are living in camera heaven right now.

[Agetan]

Originally Posted by Getz10 There's plenty of small Minolta flash out there.....just that they r all very old models from the film times when u had to forgo TTL, working with full manual controls. Example, I do have a Sunpak which is lighter and smaller than the Sony F36AM Low light n no flash, just shoot RAW and u'll have 2 stop to play with to create a "balance" image. Then again, all this might not be ideal for busy pple with the amount of work and inconvenience it brings. Shooting is always the easiest part

Becareful of that 2 stop luxury of RAW....

If you are shooting a little too dark, noise is a problem, especially when shooting at ISO1600 or more.

[andretan]

Newest Sony flash... http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0905/...0_extflash.jpg

[kingfishers]

Hahahaha, that is really a good flash to have, waiting for it a long time liao,thump up for Sony, it look marvelous, still have to try out.

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by Rashkae When Sony released the A700, people were complaining... "How can sony release a camera and expect people to think it's pro-level if it has a built-in flash???" And then the A900 came out, and everyone's complaining about the lack of built-in flash. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

haha.... interesting observation....

[soken]

Originally Posted by Rashkae When Sony released the A700, people were complaining... "How can sony release a camera and expect people to think it's pro-level if it has a built-in flash???" And then the A900 came out, and everyone's complaining about the lack of built-in flash. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

,

Canon 5d and 1d both have no built in flash, pro needs to carry something to be like pro.