Question about flash


Bukitimah

Senior Member
Nov 28, 2010
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Singapore
Hi, just wish to get some simple quick tips when buying external flash. I know there must be hundreds types and depend what you wish the flash to perform. I am looking for an inexpensive general purpose one, if there is such a flash.
Where to buy and would an3rd party flash has any bad effect? I am going to quangzhou and understand electronic is cheap there. Buy you know their quality. Any tips will be useful. Thank you
 

Please state a figure of your budget or how much does ur inexpensive translate to. I can see that there are at least 2 tiers of flash that are cheaper than original manufacturer's flash.
 

If you don't mind having very few controls, I believe Nikon Sb-400 and Canon 270EX are very nice, compact, reasonably cheap, and play well with iTTL/eTTL. If you like having full controls then the 3rd party ones might be better.
 

Will you be using it off camera? Or do you need ettl/ittl?
 

Will you be using it off camera? Or do you need ettl/ittl?

Sorry, didn't understand the lingo. Still very new to photography and flash. The only flash I used is the built in type. Read a bit on the nikon sb400. Sound good and of course the price. For something arou d $200, what can it achieve? Distance wise, how far is the throw?
 

Sorry, didn't understand the lingo. Still very new to photography and flash. The only flash I used is the built in type. Read a bit on the nikon sb400. Sound good and of course the price. For something arou d $200, what can it achieve? Distance wise, how far is the throw?

For flash power, the common reference is the Guide Number (GN).
It indicates how far the flash can illuminate given a particular set of values.
Instead of bothering too much about the actual values, I use them in a comparative way. For example, a flash with GN50 is more powerful than a flash with GN20, and so on.
Just make sure the units (feet/metres and ISO speed) are the same in order to do a meaningful comparison.
 

For a starter, you might want to get 3rd party flash like Yongnuo and Nissin (the latter is better thought of and was more powerful - I stand corrected though). Of course for seamless control over the flash, original ones will be better, but that came with a price too.

I would suggest that you bring your camera (since none of us know what your camera model is) to the shop and test out those flashes. There had been internet reports that some of the flashes (3rd party ones) are not supported by some brands of camera (newer models) even when these third party flashes are build for that particular brand.
 

comparable models yongnuo, nissin cost <$150 .not much saving.. no need to go to China.... warrranty how ?? Must think first bro...
 

NikF601 said:
comparable models yongnuo, nissin cost <$150 .not much saving.. no need to go to China.... warrranty how ?? Must think first bro...

Nissin has agent here who deal with warranty locally. If bought overseas, it is anyone's guess.
 

Sorry, didn't understand the lingo. Still very new to photography and flash. The only flash I used is the built in type. Read a bit on the nikon sb400. Sound good and of course the price. For something arou d $200, what can it achieve? Distance wise, how far is the throw?

The SB400 has no manual controls and is only about as powerful as the built in flash. Think of it as built in flash with bounce capability.

Since you were talking about SB400, I assume you're using Nikon. Nikon cameras can automatically control the flash through iTTL ( TTL stands for Through The Lens). Basically they shoot a low intensity flash and see how much light hits the sensor and calculate exposure and flash brightness accordingly.

I use the SB400 as I'm not yet into flash photography and it's a small unit which I can use for bounce when I need more light indoors. It's quite nice. But if you are more serious about flash you should get something with more controls.

http://www.nikondslrs.com/flash/nikon-sb400-review/
 

Wow I am a little info overloaded. Thanks guys, I think it is time to do some home work before I jump into this. Nissim seem to be the 3rd party brand that is commonly accepted. I will work on it.
 

comparable models yongnuo, nissin cost <$150 .not much saving.. no need to go to China.... warrranty how ?? Must think first bro...

I read good review on YongNuo YN-465 and YN-650 and they are available here. Anyone has experience with them? I read 465 has M setting but not sure 650 has any. When they state M setting, I suppose you set the flash in your camera to manual instead of iTTL (I am using Nikon). This way, you are like using the pop up flash on manual mode.

Anyone can advise?
 

I think you might be referring to Yongnuo YN560. This flash is definitely a value for money and also reliable. I was in your shoes a few months back, comparing Nissin and Yongnuo speedlights. I eventually got the Nissin due to it's iTTL capability, which the Yongnuo doesn't have. But I regret not choosing the Yongnuo as I hardly use TTL as it restricts you a lot and Yongnuo YN560 has a very high GN compared to Nissin.


Overall, I'd advise you to get Nissin if you want TTL and prefer to use to "auto" mode of flash. Otherwise, I personally would give Yongnuo YN560 the thumbs up if you decide to explore flash photography at a higher level.
 

Hi Clarenze, according to the web site. YN560 has wireless setting and it works up to 15 m. Isn't that iLLT for Nikon?
 

Bukitimah said:
Hi Clarenze, according to the web site. YN560 has wireless setting and it works up to 15 m. Isn't that iLLT for Nikon?

Hey buddy,

I think you are confused between how Nikon iTTL works and wireless flash works. They are both different terminology. Nikon iTTL (intelligent through-the-lens) is a technology similar to Canon eTTL where the Speedlight automatically balances the surrounding light with the flash power coming from the speedlight. This is a feature present for Nissin di622 and it's likes in the same range. Yongnuo, unfortunately is full Manual. Meaning you have to control the flash output manually.

Being able to wirelessly control the flash simple means that you are able to fire the flash without having cables connected, in layman terms. Most flash are able to operate wirelessly, only depends on how far, without this, you can expect to see 10 set of wires dangling up in a fashion outdoor shoot.

Hope I make sense.
 

Ok, I am beginning to understand. I think I will try out the 560 since I prefer to adjust the flash strength manually to suit my use. Thank you.
 

Dont get the Yongnuo 560 it is a manual flash only you will end adjusting the flash settings everytime which is quite bothersome the better choice yongnuo 467 that can do iTTL on your nikon as well as manual GN is lower though...
 

Dont get the Yongnuo 560 it is a manual flash only you will end adjusting the flash settings everytime which is quite bothersome the better choice yongnuo 467 that can do iTTL on your nikon as well as manual GN is lower though...

Har, sgcamerastore only has 465 no 467 leh. Are they the same?
 

Manual or iTTL, you decide which you prefer.

Having bought the Nissin, I would say I hardly use TTL. Personally, I find Manual able to create more creative effect and consistent pictures. Although I have to agree that starting with a Manual flash is a steeper learning curve, it will definitely benefit you in the long run.

And honestly, if you know what you are doing and you understand how to control flash with just aperture, shutter speed and ISO, you will seldom find yourself adjusting the flash power occasionally.

Understanding how your equipment work is very important, rather than letting the equipment decide how your pictures turn out. Just my humble opinion.
 

Thank you, you are a great help.