Flash

[krm]

I posted a question about the quality of a specific hotshoe flash, but I guess the real question is, how valuable does everyone find having a hotshoe flash for the everyday, non professional photographer. I have a Conon Rebel xt and use it for family photos, kids school functions, etc..

[GaryK]

Not an expert, but I would suppose it all depends on how much indoor, low light shooting you do.

The newer flashes WITH TTL, adjusts the flash power in accordance with what your camera sees and thinks it needs.
I can't say how reliable that is as I don't have one, but I would guess they are better than a full power flash from 3 feet away.

The price obviously goes up with features but the flash power is also a huge factor in the cost.

If the school functions keep you back in the room, a flash will not make any difference (or minimal at best).

[NMarti]

Gary
My TTL metering generally does a very nice job. On rare ocassions, though, it tends to undercompensate and I get pictures without enough flash.

[GaryK]

Nancy

I had a feeling it was pretty good (else who would bother spending the extra cash). I just don't have one to try .. maybe after Christmas. I'll have to see.

[lexcell]

Having and external flash that fit's into the hot shoe or off camera via a wireless transmitter or off camera cord gives you significant control over the light. Both output and where the light is coming from.

While the built in flashes do fill in shadows, they are fire directly at the subject resulting in a flat light. The external flash, allows you to create depth and dimension to your subjects.

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Originally Posted by krm

I posted a question about the quality of a specific hotshoe flash, but I guess the real question is, how valuable does everyone find having a hotshoe flash for the everyday, non professional photographer. I have a Conon Rebel xt and use it for family photos, kids school functions, etc..

Hi KRM,

I am not a big user of flash, but having a hot shoe helps a lot. I have an old strobe, Sunpak 544, that I use from time to time. By using a fair amount of room light, holding the strobe at arm's length, and often pointing the strobe at an object that will reflect light I can get pictures that do not exhibit that flat "flash" look. I almost never use the built in flash on my D70s, except for fill flash outdoors.

Cheers,

Bob

[Chuck S.]

For those of you tempted to use your old flash unit on your expensive new digital, you might want to play it safe and check here:

Strobe Trigger Voltages

It's possible to do damage to your camera if you use a flash that has too high a "trigger voltage". The reference above isn't from a manufacturer, so more research should be done for your particular situation

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Originally Posted by Chuck S.

For those of you tempted to use your old flash unit on your expensive new digital, you might want to play it safe and check here:

Strobe Trigger Voltages

It's possible to do damage to your camera if you use a flash that has too high a "trigger voltage". The reference above isn't from a manufacturer, so more research should be done for your particular situation

Hi Chuck,

I never thought of that. I just lucked out with my Sunpak 544. Thanks for keeping us from ourselves.

Cheers,

Bob