Can I use the Speedlite 200E for another digital camera?

[BlueGrassGirl]

I have a external/removable (?) Speedlite flash on my canon film slr. Can I take it off and use it with my kodak dx6490 for portrait lighting? Is this even possible or is it just as weak as my kodak on camera flash?

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions... :)

[jbcm]

I don't know how you would use it as a slave flash. There is no hot shoe on the Kodak. Is the speed lite wireless?

[BlueGrassGirl]

no its not wireless. Since I am still new, what is a hotshoe? I think the only thing I have is a plugin for an external flash.

[jbcm]

A hotshoe is on top of the camera that you can attach a flash. I don't think it will work with your Kodak. Maybe see what type of flash and most powerful flash that can be used on the Kodak. If you can get one that will swivle so you can bounce it off the wall or ceiling. It makes a big difference. Sory I can't be more help. You can go to this web sight and it talks about what external flash can be used which I know nothing about. I would also go to Kodaks web sight and see what they offer. Good Luck!


http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/dx6490_pg2.html


Jason

[BlueGrassGirl]

okay, thanks. Now I know all about that. I have been looking for an external flash and saw a sunpak flash and a sunpak flash adapter where you can add an existing flash. What type of flash would work best for indoor portraits or is it best to use none? Right now with one light, window light, and no flash I am getting about 75% blurry photos especially since my subjects are kids. I'm just wondering if the extra flash would help or do I need to use another light and no flash? What looks and works best and also at the lowest cost? :D

[Balrog]

In general, I've found 'available light' pictures tend to look better - flash photos tend to look harsh, with no shadows to bring out the shape of a person's face ... an exception is using bounce flash (possible with external units) so that the lighting is diffused rather than direct.
The problem with available light (as you've already noticed) is that often there isn't enough of it for good shutter speeds ... so I'd say the best option is probably to use reflected flash.
Anandtech recently wrote a guide to better portraits (http://www.anandtech.com/digitalcameras/showdoc.aspx?i=2323) .. you might want to check it out. :)