sandokanenvegas Loc: Las Vegas, USA

Hi all, since im new to all this and still trying to set up "my equipment", i need your advice for choosing a first time flash and eventually the diffusers. Box, bouncing cards? what about the diffusers for the pop up flash? thanks for your time and i really enjoy this site and all of your posts and comments even when i dont have an active participation. Oh, i dont know if it is relevant, i have a Nikon d3100.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi sandokanenvegas: Before I attempt to answer your question, let me ask what type of photography are you planning to do. Studio photography, Sports photography, Low light Photography, Macro Photography and the list goes on. The equipment you will actually need various from shoot to shoot. What kind of money do you plan to spend for your equipment? Because you can by name brand from Nikon and pay a fair price for quality equipment or you can buy some from Yongnuo for a fraction the cost and get fairly decent equipment for your dollar. You can buy entire studio packages that include, lighting, unbrellas, stands, reflectors and backdrops. Again that will depend on your budget. I know I didn't answer your question but hopefully I gave you so or at the very least gave you a better starting point for your question on lighting.

twowindsbear

Check the camera manual for the features that the camera offers for use with a flash, and get a flash that is compatible with those features. For instance, if your camera is capable of Through The Lens flash metering, get a flash that has that feature. If the camera doesn't have that, then there's no need to pay extra for that feature in the flash. (BTW, I don't know what features your camera has).

I'll suggest features that I've found useful, for a shoe-mount flash. TTL metering, variable power settings, a zoom head, to cover different focal length lenses, tilt & swivel for bounce, an external battery pack for faster recycling.

Good luck.

gerald Loc: Georgia

The Nikon sb400 would be a good choice for your camera;it is small,ability to bounce the flash and is designed specifically for a camera like your's.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here's something to consider.

Neewer
http://www.amazon.com/NEEWER%C2%AE-Digital-Bracket-Cameras-Without/dp/B002X3VBFK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339964997&sr=1-2&keywords=neewer+flash

Cowboy Studios trigger
http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-NPT-04-Speelights-extra-receiver/dp/B005IQRMN4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340028086&sr=1-2&keywords=cowboy+flash+trigger

Yongyou
http://www.amazon.com/Speedlite-YN560-Pentax-Olympus-Cameras/dp/B004GZRE1S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334425309&sr=8-3

sandokanenvegas Loc: Las Vegas, USA

Thanks all of you for taking the time to answer. Im basically looking for a external flash 80 to 120 guide number and let me play with bouncing light due to my ugly experiences with "washed" pics. Im more into landscapes than portraits but still want to get some equipment for this. I would also like to know what type of bounce item do you recomend(card,box)either for external or pop up. Thanks

2much2carry Loc: Monterey CA

Read "Speedliter's Handbook by Syl Arena. This is the best book in my library on the topic of speed light flashes.