Flash brands
Dec 12, 2016 15:20:48 #
When I was a younger man, there were only a handful of flash brands available. You had the Metz and Sunpak big guns, Vivitar was the big player in the pro-sumer market, and of course, you had the camera brand flashes. This, of course, was long before TTL and such. Needless to say, while they still work great for my film cameras, they're not suitable for digitals.
But now, the market is full of brands, mostly Chinese, I gather. Yongnou(sp?) Neewer, and a handful of other random names. Along with the camera brands.
So, being in need of a new flash unit for a D90, I need some recommendations. What brands do you all use, and what do you like, what do you not like? I'm looking to use it mostly off camera, sometimes on an arm, sometimes on a stand.
But now, the market is full of brands, mostly Chinese, I gather. Yongnou(sp?) Neewer, and a handful of other random names. Along with the camera brands.
So, being in need of a new flash unit for a D90, I need some recommendations. What brands do you all use, and what do you like, what do you not like? I'm looking to use it mostly off camera, sometimes on an arm, sometimes on a stand.
Dec 12, 2016 15:26:39 #
Dec 12, 2016 15:48:34 #
The Neewer I got my wife works fine.
An inexpensive Bower I just got for my little camera works too.
My Nikon SB700 works better than either of above but takes more effort to use.
An inexpensive Bower I just got for my little camera works too.
My Nikon SB700 works better than either of above but takes more effort to use.
Dec 12, 2016 15:48:49 #
I'm rather happy with my Sigma 610, TTL, bounce and swivel, don't miss the old Metz 202 at all, Bob.
Dec 12, 2016 15:55:53 #
I have Yongnuo flash and wireless remotes with full TTL control and am very happy with them.
Dec 12, 2016 16:08:08 #
Several 'second-party' manufacturers make decent speedlights, at about 1/2 the cost of camera manufacturer speedlights. I personally use a Nissin Di-866 that I purchased used on eBay. I also have a Nikon SB-600.
This UHH FAQ: How do Popular Speedlights Compare for GN? at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-91636-1.html will answer many questions.
This UHH FAQ: How do Popular Speedlights Compare for GN? at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-91636-1.html will answer many questions.
Dec 12, 2016 16:14:44 #
I have only Nikon, but luckily work pays for them.
More expensive but they always work for me.
Used Nikon SB 800's go for about $200.
A NEW Nissin Di-866 will cost you a bit more and has about the same features.
More expensive but they always work for me.
Used Nikon SB 800's go for about $200.
A NEW Nissin Di-866 will cost you a bit more and has about the same features.
Dec 12, 2016 16:39:38 #
dandi
Loc: near Seattle, WA
Kombiguy wrote:
When I was a younger man, there were only a handfu... (show quote)
I am not willing to spend hundreds $$, so I use Neewer VK750. It's now $50, works surprisingly well with nikon dslr, TTL, slave mode.
https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-VK750-Speedlite-Display-Cameras/dp/B00GE4MNQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481578370&sr=8-1&keywords=neewer+750ii
Dec 13, 2016 05:52:30 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
I have a Sunpak I bought 8 years ago that still works. I saw a demonstration on You Tube on the Yongnuo and was sold on it. I now have two flash units. Check Guide Number when selecting any flash unit. Good luck.
Dec 13, 2016 06:03:05 #
I use a Nikon SB-700 flash. I like how it has switches for mode selection and illumination pattern on the outside. I can switch between manual mode and TTL quickly. When I use the flash with an umbrella, I put the illumination pattern switch to its wide pattern position. It will spread the light a little more to fill better fill the umbrella with light.
I use a PocketWizard Mini-TT1 on the camera and a Flex-TT5 with the flash for off-camera flash. They support TTL metering.
I use a PocketWizard Mini-TT1 on the camera and a Flex-TT5 with the flash for off-camera flash. They support TTL metering.
Dec 13, 2016 06:17:05 #
Kombiguy wrote:
When I was a younger man, there were only a handfu... (show quote)
A Nikon flash with a Nikon body is as good as it gets. Nikon does flash right. Nissin is a Japanese flash maker with good products.
Dec 13, 2016 06:42:43 #
Kombiguy wrote:
When I was a younger man, there were only a handfu... (show quote)
I used to stay with my Camera brand units for a long time ( except for a couple of old Metz units that I still use these days) but since Canon's 600 series (which I instantly upgraded to), I also for the first time ventured into the third brand market (namely Yungnuo), because of the savings possible. After already having 3 - 600 units from Canon, I now also use Yungnuo (in tandem) with the Canons and I have to say, they are working just fine and in some respect even give added features! So I can say, I'm happy with them and their performance!
Dec 13, 2016 08:18:47 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
I have a Nikon SB800 and a Nikon SB900 both of which I use for general stuff and both of which seem to work exceptionally well. I can recommend both of these.
For really big flash I use the Metz Mecablitz 76 MZ-5. It does throw a lot of light but even so I can't recommend it. This flash really disappointed me in the end.
For little stuff (macro and close up) I use the Nikon R1C1 Close Up flash system. That is the best solution I've ever found for macro lighting. I have four flash heads for the system (it comes with two) providing me a diversity of lighting options. This one I also recommend.
And I have a Sigma Ring Flash which I got before the Nikon. The ring flash does a good job with macro as well and made me happy for a number of years. I still use it once in a while but it lacks the flexibility of the Nikon solution. Still, it's a worthy flash to consider too.
For really big flash I use the Metz Mecablitz 76 MZ-5. It does throw a lot of light but even so I can't recommend it. This flash really disappointed me in the end.
For little stuff (macro and close up) I use the Nikon R1C1 Close Up flash system. That is the best solution I've ever found for macro lighting. I have four flash heads for the system (it comes with two) providing me a diversity of lighting options. This one I also recommend.
And I have a Sigma Ring Flash which I got before the Nikon. The ring flash does a good job with macro as well and made me happy for a number of years. I still use it once in a while but it lacks the flexibility of the Nikon solution. Still, it's a worthy flash to consider too.
Dec 13, 2016 12:52:24 #
I choose Yongnuo several years ago, and bought two Yn-565 EX flashes, and 3 Yn-622C flash triggers. The Yn-565EX does not have a onboard radio, but can operate as a flash slave unit to master flash unit on camera. The triggers are both transmitters and receivers, and can be mounted to either the flash or to the cameras hot shoe. I can set up these flashes to be either TTL, or manual, and the transmitter will send the information to the flashes to change the output, and zoom of the flashes automatically. The guide numbers are about the same as the Canon flash of the same Yn unit. I paid about $80 per flash, and about $40 per trigger. That is a real bargain when you look at how much it would cost to buy Canon equipment that does the same thing. The Yongnuo flashes are still working, along with the triggers.
B
B
Dec 13, 2016 13:44:42 #
Kombiguy wrote:
When I was a younger man, there were only a handfu... (show quote)
Yongnuo and Mieke are two brands I've been using with great success. The Yongnuo on my Nikons and my mobile studio setup; the Mieke (Now rebranded to Neewer) on my Sony a6300.
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