D50 - Does it support wireless flash?

[soydios]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: soydios
Nikon has the SB-600 which comes in at about $200 with a diffuser dome. The Canon 430EX is about $275 with a diffuser dome.

Don't they require an additional expensive component in order to implement wireless? That's what I gathered, while the Pentax K200D and Sony A200/A300/A350 do not.

First of all, disclaimer: I only have firsthand knowledge of the Nikon wireless flash system. To answer your question for Nikon: no. The D70/D80/D200/D300/D700 have built-in abilities to control one or more remote flash groups. The SB-800 and SB-900 flashes provide full master and slave capabilities (multiple groups, multiple channels), while the SB-600 provides full slave capabilities.

Nikon's wireless flash system works with IR pulses and thus requires a line of sight. PocketWizards work over radio and thus can go anywhere, but they only act as triggers, and thus cannot control the output of the flash from the commander.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Heidfirst

Originally posted by: Muse
I think the HVL-F36AM and the HVL-F42AM would work with the Sony

they will, also the (dearer) F56AM (again just being replaced by >) & new F58AM.

Which of these supports horizontal swivel?

Replaced by what?

Do I really have to spend over $300 US to get wireless flash that swivels?

The HVL-36AM has already been replaced by the HVL-42AM & the HVL-56AM is just about to be replaced by the HVL-58AM (which looks to be a very clever bit of kit).
Afaik the the 42AM supports "Adjustable bounce 90° up, 90° left and 180° right" & the 56AM & 58AM have horizontal swivel too.
B&H list the 42AM at $300 but you may be able to find it cheaper.
Not to mention that you could pick up a Sony 56AM or Minolta 5600 (essentially the same thing) on ebay s/h.

Sigma do the EF-530 DG ST ($210) but I'm not sure that it does wireless whereas the EF-530 DG ST Super does but it's $300 as well.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Heidfirst

Originally posted by: Muse
I think the HVL-F36AM and the HVL-F42AM would work with the Sony

they will, also the (dearer) F56AM (again just being replaced by >) & new F58AM.

Which of these supports horizontal swivel?

Replaced by what?

Do I really have to spend over $300 US to get wireless flash that swivels?

The HVL-36AM has already been replaced by the HVL-42AM & the HVL-56AM is just about to be replaced by the HVL-58AM (which looks to be a very clever bit of kit).
Afaik the the 42AM supports "Adjustable bounce 90° up, 90° left and 180° right" & the 56AM & 58AM have horizontal swivel too.
B&H list the 42AM at $300 but you may be able to find it cheaper.
Not to mention that you could pick up a Sony 56AM or Minolta 5600 (essentially the same thing) on ebay s/h.

Sigma do the EF-530 DG ST ($210) but I'm not sure that it does wireless whereas the EF-530 DG ST Super does but it's $300 as well.

Amazon has the Sony HVL-F42AM Selling for $204.99, free shipping. With accessory kit is more. Is it generally advisable to get an accessory kit? No reviews there yet, it must be very new.

I'm really a noob with DSLR's and flash in particular and don't comprehend a lot of the discussions I'm reading about them. For instance, people talk about support for TTL with flash (wireless?). TTL obviously means through-the-lens, but I don't understand what the flash has to do with this. Is the flash intensity determined in some cases by virtue of TTL meter readings automatically?

 

[Heidfirst]

If I could help you further I would but flash is something that I am ignorant of too (although if I get more into macro I'll have to learn).
I suggest that you ask for help at http://www.dyxum.com & the DPReview Sony SLR forum.
Also http://www.mhohner.de/sony-minolta/flashcomp.php should help some.

 

[Heidfirst]

new (& imo fairly unbiased) short review of the A200 http://www.popphoto.com/camera...a-200-camera-test.html