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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> What flash to start with?
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 05/05/2008 12:27:51 AM · #1
Guys, I'm a hobbyst on photography, and I'm trying to find a good flash to start with for as low as around $50...
My Camera is a Panasonic FZ50 with a hot shoe connector.

This one below looks ok for me, but I really don't understand all of its functionalities, pros and cons.
Digital Twin Flash at Ebay

Could you please advise on any flashes that you might find good for me? My main use will be for challenges (using it off camera) and for family and party photos.

Thanks in advance.

05/05/2008 12:31:17 AM · #2
Strobist

A lot of people swear by this method of lighting. Their recommendation is a low end Vivitar. No TTL and all manual but it gets the job done.
05/05/2008 10:38:01 AM · #3
I'm wondering if those twin flashes are really what I'm looking for. For me, they look to do the job as I expect, but would like some guidance from you all.
My needs: I want to be able to place the flash off-camera, besides the subject, and have it fired automatically when the on-camera flash is fired. Also, I'd like to be able to fire the flash manually for multiple takes or high speed (water drop) takes on long exposure photos. Also, I'd like to control the flash output power.

Question 1:
Will this kind of flash work for my needs?

Question 2:
Could you please tell me the difference between these, and also what is more recommended for my needs?

Bower Twin Flash

Vivitar Twin Flash

Message edited by author 2008-05-05 10:41:26.
 05/05/2008 03:24:19 PM · #4
Nobody?
 05/05/2008 04:25:31 PM · #5
Check over @strobist as no doubt someone knows about those 2 models specifically..... If you go the strobist path then anything with adjustable out that stays on without a camera will likely work (although there are some voltage issues if you try to use the hot shoe).

Hit either flee-bay for the wireless triggers or IMO better is hit flashzebra.com and get some pc cables and if necessary something to fire the flash if it has no pc port.

Some people prefer eTTL & the whole deal while others like the old manual flash method. Personally, I use both in different scenarios but I lurned manual flash before eTTL :-)
 05/06/2008 09:16:37 AM · #6
he is a hobbyist, and you recommend him a full manual.... wow
If you are looking to take photos without calculation and the aid of computers as the rest of us do, Your camera will take either of the olympus flashes or the old panasonic flash. Id recommend the lower end olympus flash, its a good buy.

or maybe you do want a strobe....
 05/06/2008 09:34:07 AM · #7
I'll toss my vote in for the Strobist route, too. Just because the OP is a hobbyist doesn't mean he can't handle full-manual.

Just mounting a dumb flash on the camera and blasting away won't get you the results you want. If you're going to use it mounted in the hotshoe, then eTTL is the easier way to go; the camera does all the calculations and gets decent results, even when you're bouncing the flash. Anytime you can get the flash off the camera, you get even better lighting.

I don't know what the deal is with the whole "twin flash" thing, but I suspect it's not worth it. Having two flash bulbs on the same unit will drain the batteries faster and probably cause strange shadows/lighting.

Here's the Vivitar that Strobist promotes: it will work on the camera, it will work off the camera, and it gives you room to learn and grow. Spend the extra $30 and don't limit yourself with featureless equipment.
 05/06/2008 11:17:11 AM · #8
Originally posted by FourTDSean:
he is a hobbyist, and you recommend him a full manual.... wow


It's the best way to learn, and where you want to be if your using off camera flash, anyways.
 05/08/2008 08:37:51 AM · #9
Thanks everybody, but I'm still confused. The problem seems to be that I do not fully understand the difference between the strobist path and the other suggestions...

I'd like to buy the cheaper and smarter flash that will reach my 3 main needs:
1) Addiotionally to using the flash on the hot shoe, I want to be able to place the flash off-camera, besides the subject, and have it fired automatically when the on-camera flash is fired.
2) I'd like to be able to fire the flash manually for multiple takes or high speed (water drop) takes on long exposure photos.
3) I'd like to control the flash output power.

Then some questions arise, for example:
1) To have an off camera flash fired automatically, what are the cheaper options?
I've seen some units that will fire together with the on camera flash, thanks to its sensor that will detect the on camera flash. This looks ok to me, but I don't know if a PC cord or a RF transmitter would be essential.
2) To fire the flash manually, without any automatic intervention coming from the camera, is there a button on the flash for this?

Message edited by author 2008-05-08 09:23:00.
 05/08/2008 11:11:12 AM · #10
Originally posted by marcusvdt:
The problem seems to be that I do not fully understand the difference between the strobist path and the other suggestions...



There isnt one, really. The "Strobist path" is just learning how to effectively use small strobes off-camera, but the principles of lighting are essentially the same no matter what you're using. It just gets more and more expensive as you add watt-seconds...
 05/08/2008 02:11:34 PM · #11
Originally posted by FourTDSean:
he is a hobbyist, and you recommend him a full manual.... wow
If you are looking to take photos without calculation and the aid of computers as the rest of us do, Your camera will take either of the olympus flashes or the old panasonic flash. Id recommend the lower end olympus flash, its a good buy.

or maybe you do want a strobe....


Figuring out flash exposure, lighting ratios and all of that is not exactly rocket science.
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