Flash question

Tkot · Jul 11, 2011

Thinking of buying my first flash unit, and I stumbled across this one on adorama (link below). Wondering if anyone has experience with it and could tell me if it's a good deal for a first time flash, and if it's the best option. If not, what other flashes should I look in to? I know nikon flashes are a bit more expensive - would it be better to save up and get one of those (SB-600?), or will this one do the trick? Btw my camera is a Nikon D3000.

Here's the link: SUPZ40X2NKBK Sunpak PZ40X II, Power Zoom Digital Flash for all Nikon TTL, D-TTL and i-TTL Cameras, Black - Basic Outfit - with 4 NiMH Batteries, Charger, Mini Soft Box Diffuser

Thanks!

Patrice · Jul 11, 2011

Don't know anything about that particular flash. Sunpak used to make very good flashes and maybe they still do. This one seems to have all the standard features so it should do the job.

Nikon makes excellent flashes and there is never any issue about compatibility with their cameras.

Tkot · Jul 11, 2011

Thanks for the reply!

Unless I hear otherwise about this flash I think I'll go for it, because it's so cheap and it comes with a whole package deal.

Kerbouchard · Jul 11, 2011

Unless I missed it, this flash doesn't swivel side to side. It looks like it only tilts forward and up. That would be a deal breaker for me.

It also looks like it was manufactured before your camera, says it is backwards compatible with older models, and doesn't list your camera as compatible.

If I were you, I would save up for the SB600.

Tkot · Jul 11, 2011

Oooooh, I think you're right..... Yeah, now that I think about it that is kinda lame. Back to square one

Tkot · Jul 11, 2011

How does this one look?

PZ42XN Sunpak PZ42XN Digital Flash for Nikon, with I-TTL Flash Control Mode, Guide Number of 138 (ISO 100/feet), Black

Patrice · Jul 11, 2011

If it's compatible with iTTL then its also compatible with your d3000. Good idea to check for yourself any facts put forth in post responses.

Plenty of decent flashes don't swivel side to side either. Get what is right for you at a price you can afford.

Surprised nobody has jumped in touting the Yongnuo line of flashes.

Kerbouchard · Jul 11, 2011

Patrice said:
If it's compatible with iTTL then its also compatible with your d3000. Good idea to check for yourself any facts put forth in post responses.

Plenty of decent flashes don't swivel side to side either. Get what is right for you at a price you can afford.

Surprised nobody has jumped in touting the Yongnuo line of flashes.

Are you saying my posts need to be fact checked? I don't know if it is compatible with his camera or not. I simply pointed out that his camera didn't happen to be listed as one of the compatible cameras. What I do know, is that when third party vendors reverse engineer technology and claim something is backwards compatible, they aren't making any promises that it will be compatible with future cameras. Third party lens manufacturers often have problems with older lenses not working on newer cameras because Nikon made some programming change.

As far as if the swivel feature is useful or not depends on intended use. If you are using it as a slave flash off camera, it's not so important. If you are using it on the hot shoe, it is huge if you like directional light or the ability to actually control your flash instead of just pointing it up or directly at your subject. If a flash doesn't swivel, shooting in portait orientation is all but impossible and none of us want Derrel to be getting on to us.

As far as the OP's question, it looks like the second flash you posted would be a much better option. I would still question compatibility issues and verify that it will work with your camera before purchasing. Again, I would still recommend saving the extra 80 bucks to get an SB600. I've found it is always cheaper to buy something once than to have to buy cheaper options several times.

Patrice · Jul 11, 2011

"Are you saying my posts need to be fact checked?"

I'm not saying your particular posts need to be fact checked, what I am saying is that all posts should be fact checked, especially before making a purchase decision based on the information presented.

I agree with your statement of buying once but good. Applies to near everything you can shop for.

I also agree with the recommendation on the sb600, it's a really good flash for the money and is sure to work with his camera. However, some folks would rather save a $100 and hope for the best.

However, iTTL on the d70 is exactly the same as iTTL on d3000.

Kerbouchard · Jul 11, 2011

Patrice said:
"Are you saying my posts need to be fact checked?"

I'm not saying your particular posts need to be fact checked, what I am saying is that all posts should be fact checked, especially before making a purchase decision based on the information presented.

I agree with your statement of buying once but good. Applies to near everything you can shop for.

I also agree with the recommendation on the sb600, it's a really good flash for the money and is sure to work with his camera. However, some folks would rather save a $100 and hope for the best.

However, iTTL on the d70 is exactly the same as iTTL on d3000.

Good to know. I don't own either camera or the flashes the OP is interested in. I just looked at the cameras listed as compatible. Generally, manufacturers like to market their products to as large an audience as possible, so when they list cameras that are compatible with their products, they tend to list all of them. If that isn't the case in this situation, or the product page just wasn't updated as new cameras came out, then it is what it is.

I also agree with you that every post or comment read on an internet forum should be fact checked. Just seemed like your post had a bit of an edge to it.

Glad to know I read it wrong...that's the trouble with online forums. Since we don't get to hear the inflections and tone of voice, sometimes things can be read a different way than it was intended.

Thanks for the clarification.

Patrice · Jul 11, 2011

Kerbouchard,

Don't forget, I am a crotchety old man and I sometimes do get up some people's backs.

joealcantar · Jul 11, 2011

Save up for the 600, if you ever have any issues with your gear and call Nikon for help the first question they ask is : What gear are you using when you are having this problem? If the answer is not Nikon xxxxx call someone else...
-Another good thing to know is the return policy from whoever you buy it from. Your gear is an investment so find a reputable store.
-
Shoot Well, Joe

DisasterDan · Jul 11, 2011

I was going to reccomend the Yongnuo YN-460 II. Cheap and its a great little flash.

Tkot · Jul 11, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
If a flash doesn't swivel, shooting in portait orientation is all but impossible and none of us want Derrel to be getting on to us.

As far as the OP's question, it looks like the second flash you posted would be a much better option. I would still question compatibility issues and verify that it will work with your camera before purchasing. Again, I would still recommend saving the extra 80 bucks to get an SB600. I've found it is always cheaper to buy something once than to have to buy cheaper options several times.

Would you mind explaining that to me, I can't quite get my head around it. Why does swiveling help shooting in portrait orientation?

As for the SB600, if it's only $80 more then I guess I may as well get that.

Kerbouchard · Jul 11, 2011

In portrait orientation, your hot shoe will be pointed towards your left. If your flash can't swivel, you have limited options. Face the flash towards the left, or face it towards the subject. Most times, facing the flash up, behind you, and to the left is the best option since you get to bounce your flash off the ceiling and wall behind you. This allows your tiny flash to turn walls and ceilings into a light source. That large, directional light source helps to prevent or reduce harsh shadows, and overall, provide a more flattering light source for your subject.

For a better introduction to bounce flash, I will link what I always link. It was one of the most helpful links I had ever read when I was learning flash. It's free and it is a wealth of information. This isn't the first post in the series, I would actually recommend reading all the links in the right column, but this seems to be most appropriate for your specific question at the moment. http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/which-flashgun/

And another that talks about bounce flash specifically... http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/4-bouncing-flash/

I would still recommend reading from top to bottom the links on the right hand column, but those two should get you started.