Time to buy a flash unit

[ShaunZ]

For the sake of all my night shots not looking like it came from a Point and Shoot camera, I've decided to buy an external flash.. yay!!

Problem.. don't have a clue what to look for, and not much info on the net on how to choose one.

So.. would be super if you can point me in the right direction.

Would like to know which units you have found to be best, brands, what functions to look out for, any old Minolta ones that work well etc.

Most of the photos I take are the usual everyday ones, mostly of people. Looking at spending approx US $ 100-200, second hand would be allright.


Cheers

[DonSchap]

Well, not too many out there at $100 -$200 limit.

The new SONY HVL-F20AM (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665887600) Compact External Flash is supposedly brighter than the "built-in" flash ... and priced right where you want it.

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It is on the SONY Style site.

You can also make due with the Minolta 3600 HS D or the SONY HVL-F36AM (nearly identical), but discontinued.

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You will probably find them available on ebay. The beauty of this flash is that it will work "wirelessly" ... and allow you to place the flash closer or at some kind of angle to your subject. They do come with a mini-flash stand.

Reaching a little deeper, you can go to PCNation (http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?item=BE6822&GEN0=Y) ... and get a new SONY HVL-F42AM for around $239. It's a bit brighter than the '36 ... and has been redesigned to be far more useful.

[dr4gon]

You can get the F42 for ~$200, go for it. The F20 is pretty useless.

[sparkie1263]

Here is a link for them on Ebay. Take your pick.

Frank

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=SONY+HVL-F42AM&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[SONYNUT]

how about a tripod instead...a flash will only reach so far

[DonSchap]

I have never seen a tripod stop anything other than camera shake. Anything slower than 1/60th sec, if it moves, it is a blur.
Just ask Jimmy Olsen with his famous "red/blue blur" shot, from the WB-series, "Smallville." Of course, Clark Kent was
moving @ "break-neck" speed when he pushed Lois Lane across the street ... and she didn't break. That always amazes me. :eek:

A flash can 'apparently' freeze motion ...

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if done correctly ... it is cutting-edge photography!

Without it ... you get "interesting", but kind of miss the subject ... (my own version of the "red-blue blur")

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You have to ask: "What's important to me? Waiting for the 'right light' or getting the 'right light', right now?"

[SONYNUT]

flash alternative for people shots


brings out the warm color feeling

[DonSchap]

Like I have been trying to tell you, Steve ... those "hot lights" will kill your photography! :eek:

[SONYNUT]

nothing like taking pictures next to a nice warm fire