Digital Camera gurus...should I invest in an external flash unit? **Updated 2/2**

[NFS4]

I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

 

[NutBucket]

YES!

 

[Doggiedog]

Yes.

Make sure you can bounce the flash too.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

 

[Jzero]

GUARANTEED TO MAKE DIFFERENT

:confused'

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

LOL, that was Stephen

http://anandtech.com/digitalca...howdoc.aspx?i=2323&p=1

:laugh:

 

[abaez]

I've read alot of the non sony flashes cripple lots of the features the flash has with the v3. (BTW I bought one, focusing speed alone is amazing).

 

Sure, if you work in a lot of low light situations.
It will make a difference in thoes situations, but only to a certain point. The lens on that camera is rather small.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I will eventually as the built-in flash on my 20D doesn't jive well with my walk-around lens with a hood on.

But then again, I hate flashes...period. I'd rather jack up the ISO, turn on the IS, open up the focal length, and turn down the shutter speed.

(LOTS of low-light, no flash EOS-20D pics in my sig!)

 

[OffTopic1]

Yes, you should get an external flash if you can afford it.

I don't know DSLR flash price are like, but my 35mm flashes range from $130~450 each.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I will eventually as my the built-in flash on my 20D doesn't jive well with my walk-around lens with a hood on.

But then again, I hate flashes...period. I'd rather jack up the ISO, turn on the IS, open up the focal length, and turn down the shutter speed.

(LOTS of low-light, no flash EOS-20D pics in my sig!)

I've got the 20D with the 17-85mm lens and noticed the built-in flash casts a shadow on zoomed pictures. Initially, I thought my fingers were in the way of the picture.

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I will eventually as my the built-in flash on my 20D doesn't jive well with my walk-around lens with a hood on.

But then again, I hate flashes...period. I'd rather jack up the ISO, turn on the IS, open up the focal length, and turn down the shutter speed.

(LOTS of low-light, no flash EOS-20D pics in my sig!)

What about fill-flash?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: OffTopic

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I will eventually as my the built-in flash on my 20D doesn't jive well with my walk-around lens with a hood on.

But then again, I hate flashes...period. I'd rather jack up the ISO, turn on the IS, open up the focal length, and turn down the shutter speed.

(LOTS of low-light, no flash EOS-20D pics in my sig!)

What about fill-flash?

Do I have such examples? No.

The built-in flash on the 20D is kinda useless. I'd look into buying a Speedlite 580EX.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

So everyone that carries an SLR is labeled the same?

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

So everyone that carries an SLR is labeled the same?

Only if they strap the camera over their chest rather than on the side.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

So everyone that carries an SLR is labeled the same?

I don't care what they call me. I can just be rest-assured that I am carrying the best digital camera $2,000 can buy!

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

So everyone that carries an SLR is labeled the same?

I don't care what they call me. I can just be rest-assured that I am carrying the best digital camera $2,000 can buy!

As I don't have 2k to spend on a camera I don't really care either since I'd rather have my 35mm then a so-so digital.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4
I have a Sony DSC-V3 and I'd like to get an external flash unit for it (buit-in flash is rather weak). Can you recommend some units to look at and what I should be looking for in a flash unit for a camera of this type? Also, what price should I expect to pay?

I've seen some generic Slave units for $55 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=48515&item=3867385442

Holy humongous camera and flash Batman!!

LOL, THIS is my Camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

The one in the eBay auction was the one I had before this

I would love to have seen you carry that big @ss camera and flash around Anand's wedding.

"Anyone! Guess who the nerd is?!"

So everyone that carries an SLR is labeled the same?

I don't care what they call me. I can just be rest-assured that I am carrying the best digital camera $2,000 can buy!

As I don't have 2k to spend on a camera I don't really care either since I'd rather have my 35mm then a so-so digital.

The 20D is NOT a so-so digital.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

The 20D is NOT a so-so digital.

he may have been calling all digital cameras so-so.

afaik, none of them are as good with light and dark as film

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

The 20D is NOT a so-so digital.

he may have been calling all digital cameras so-so.

afaik, none of them are as good with light and dark as film

Actually, from what I've been reading, the newer crop of digital SLRs are preferred by most professionals these days. They can work more easily and cheaply with digital than film, and digital can do some things much better than film (shadow detail, for instance -- not my words).

I've read alot of the non sony flashes cripple lots of the features the flash has with the v3. (BTW I bought one, focusing speed alone is amazing).

My F717 does a double-flash, one to meter and one to take the picture. A non-Sony flash won't work that unless it's made to specifically. One of the Sony flashes I can get is only $99. Contemplating doing that or just waiting to upgrade to the 20D later this year (or possibly next).

 

[DurocShark]

I made sure each of my digicams could use a standard PC socket flash unit. I've got flashes coming out of my arse (ok, 5 of 'em) and hate the idea of investing in yet another one.

So, homemade bracket moving the flash head 24" from the lens, wireless controllers (Pocket Wizard) for other flashes for background lighting or whatever, and I'm good to go.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NutBucket
As I don't have 2k to spend on a camera I don't really care either since I'd rather have my 35mm then a so-so digital.

The 20D is NOT a so-so digital.

Read it again. Since I can't afford a good digital (ie 20D) I'd rather carry my 35mm SLR then a so-so digital.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NutBucket
As I don't have 2k to spend on a camera I don't really care either since I'd rather have my 35mm then a so-so digital.

The 20D is NOT a so-so digital.

Read it again. Since I can't afford a good digital (ie 20D) I'd rather carry my 35mm SLR then a so-so digital.

I knew what you meant