Flashes: What to look for?

[CG415]

Hello All,

I am looking at flashes and have no idea of what to look for. I am using a Nikon D80 with a 18-200 and a 70-300. Any help that can be offered would be a awesome.

Thanks,

Chris

[CG415]

Can No One at all help me with this question?

[bob_r]

Chris,

I don't shoot Nikon, so can't offer much help. I know they have a couple of different model Speedlights and this is what you need since they have through the lens (TTL) metering systems. I can't offer any help on the different models though.

Other accessories you will want with the flash are a cord that will hook to your hot shoe and to your flash. This allows you to move flash off the hot shoe to hand hold in position or get something like the stroboframe to attach to your flash and camera. By moving the flash off the hot shoe, you will normally eliminate "red-eye".

Another attachment that you may want to consider with your telephoto lens, is a "Better Beamer". These are recommended for 300mm lenses and up. They are great for shooting hummingbirds or anything when you have the long lens on and poor lighting. They're great for hummers, since they allow you to shoot faster and they help bring out the colors.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I'm just not familiar with Nikon's products.

Bob R

[gldiana]

Chris,

if you have a little bit of money to spend on a photo course I suggest taking a course on using Flash, not only will it help you decide which flash to use, but also teach you thing that, I'm pretty sure, most photographers don't even know about the use of a flash. Message me for more details.

[CG415]

Thanks guys,

I'm just was just wandering what kind of things I should look for in a flash. What kind of bells and whisles to look for.

Bob, the accessories and the information that you gave was a lot of help. And I think you for informing about the "Better Beam", and about getting the flash off of the camera.

Luca, I have been looking at the differnt places to take some online courses. I think when I get some time and money I will look into the Better Photo website. They look like they have is set up pretty well.

Thanks,

Chris

[mhayes]

I would suggest adding the Nikon SB800 or SB600 to your equipment. I don't think you can beat the Nikon CLS (creative lighting system). Your D80 with the on-camera flash set to commander mode will fire either of these flashes off camera. The SB800 is more powerful and has some additional features that the SB600 doesn't. Both have the tilt/swivel head which allow bounce flash. I have the SB800 and am planning on adding at least one SB600 in the future. They are a bit pricey when compared with some third-party flashes, but from what I can see they are worth the price.

Mark

[hw771230]

Chris,

Sorry I'm late on this one. I am a Nikon Shooter and have been looking into getting a speedlight as well. The items Bob mentioned would be great to have in your bag. With the commander mode Matt mentioned you should not need the flash cord, but there are probably situations where it would come in handy. A good place to get some info on Nikon equipment is www.nikonians.org. Their forums cover just about everything Nikon.

Hope this helps,

Caleb

[CG415]

Thanks for the information. It is deffinetly a big help. And I will also check out that website as well. I have been looking at the SB600 I can afford $189 a lot easier than the $300 and some odd for th SB800 And then later on if I feel that I need or just have to have the SB800 I will have the 600 as a slave, that way I can really start my creative lighting system.

Thanks,

Chris