Technical > Digital Imaging Technology > Recomendation for an external flash

Recomendation for an external flash

you can pick up older nikon flashes and they will work fine. if you have the money, sb-700 is the best flash you can get in terms of features and performance.

reply to TheAnalyzer
for the nikon 3200, the SB-400 is a great starter flash $99.

more powerful than onboard with the ability to tilt the head up to bounce off ceiling.

The SB-600/700/900 are great flashes but probably overkill for your needs. YMMV.

»www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-400-Spee···s=sb-400

reply to TheAnalyzer
also, if it's the harshness of the onboard flash that you have an issue with, try getting a built-in flash diffuser (never used one though)

»www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?···diffuser

i just tried this simple test.

1) take picture of yourself with built-in flash. flash will produce harsh contrast

2) take picture of yourself with built-in flash w/ folded sheet of paper in front of flash. the picture should be less "harsh" due to more diffused nature of the flash. If this is what you're looking for, getting one of the flash diffusers might be just enough.

or this light scoop for bouncing the onboard flash.

»www.amazon.com/Professor-Kobres-···_sim_p_3

reply to Dream Killer
Yeah, I thought about the SB700 but I can't justify the cost since
I want to use natural light whenever possible.

TA
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quod erat demonstrandum

reply to grendal
I will try your test but I am concerned that the build in flash is just too weak to be diffused or bounced.

I am considering the SB400 too, but is it really better than the on-board flash?

Do you have any experience with the SB400?

Thanks!

TA
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quod erat demonstrandum

reply to TheAnalyzer
flash is not just for illuminating dark places but they're actually designed to balance light for fill in bright, to get a good balance in contrasty light. for example, if your background is bright but you don't want the subject to be essentially a sillhouette.

reply to TheAnalyzer
Might want to check out the Yongnuo flashes on ebay. Solid units for those on a budget.

reply to TheAnalyzer
I would second the comment on Yonhnuo flashes. They start as low as $50 for the fully manual ones to around $150 for the TTL versions. All feature swivel/tilt/zoom heads with built in reflector and diffuser. The best is they can be used as slave units in S1 and S2 modes because of their built in detectors. They are about the best bang for your buck around.

I have the SB-600 and SB-800 too and they are fabulous units.

reply to TheAnalyzer
Thanks for all the great info.
It is greatly appreciated!

I will definitely check out Yonhnuo flashes.
What do you all think about Metz flashes??

And if I go with a 3rd party flash do I have to worry about "flash trigger voltage" being to high possibly damaging the camera or is this a non issue ?

TA
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quod erat demonstrandum

reply to TheAnalyzer
With the older Metz flashes like the CT-1 it would certainly be an issue. The newer ones, I am not sure.

I have used the Yongnuo-560 on my D70, D200 and D700 with no issues.

reply to TheAnalyzer
Okay guys. I finally decided to get the sb700 despite it's price tag.

I like it so far. Got some nice pics already.

Thanks all!

TA
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quod erat demonstrandum

reply to TheAnalyzer
You can't go wrong with that choice. It's a very capable flash unit. You'll have lots of fun with it.