Small flash for SONY a7 II: I bought a SONY a7 II and am happy with it. I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a built in flash as there are times where fill-flash is useful. I...

DrJ

I bought a SONY a7 II and am happy with it. I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a built in flash as there are times where fill-flash is useful. I don't want to buy a full size flash at this point as its size would defeat some of the size advantage of this mirrorless. I'd appreciate recommendations on small, <$100 flashes for SONY. I'm considering the Meike MK-300 TTL Mini Speedlight Flash for $45.79 delivered price on ebay. Does anyone have experience with this flash or a link to a good test report? Thanks, DrJ

rcarol

I'm in the same situation as you are. The only objection that I have regarding this unit is that it is not capable of doing bounce lighting. I have some other small units for other camera brands where the head will at least tilt upward giving the ability to do some limited bounce lighting. If you don't mind paying a little more. this unit is available from B&H under the Opteka name for about $60. The advantage is that it will carry support from B&H rather than dealing with an unknown firm from China.

DrJ

Thanks rcarol. I considered bounce flash in the Neewer NW320 for $80, The Meike MK-930 II for $41, and the Godox TT 3509, but they look too big to carry all of the time. Good suggestion on B&H. I presume you mean the Opteka IF 500S, which looks reasonably compact. Have you used one or seen a good test report? DrJ

rcarol

DrJ wrote:

Thanks rcarol. I considered bounce flash in the Neewer NW320 for $80, The Meike MK-930 II for $41, and the Godox TT 3509, but they look too big to carry all of the time. Good suggestion on B&H. I presume you mean the Opteka IF 500S, which looks reasonably compact. Have you used one or seen a good test report? DrJ

No, I have not.

DrJ

rcarol: I just found an email where I included a link to a Meike with a tilting head for $60. The guide number is 32 meters at iso 100 and 105 mm, which is less than the 130 feet (~40m) of the Opteka. DrJ

http://vi.vipr.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=132708409026&t=1539139534000&tid=10&category=48515&seller=kingworld8603&excSoj=1&excTrk=1&lsite=0&ittenable=true&domain=ebay.com&descgauge=1&cspheader=1&oneClk=1&secureDesc=0

rcarol

DrJ wrote:

rcarol: I just found an email where I included a l... (show quote)

Thank you so much. I saw the 320 advertised on some website but paid no attention to it at the time.

rcarol

DrJ wrote:

rcarol: I just found an email where I included a l... (show quote)

I noticed this unit is also available on Amazon Prime for $70 in the event you have any qualms about buying from China. I've purchased a lot of stuff from China and only had one product that was never delivered. But since I had used Paypal, my money was reimbursed. The downside was the total waste of time and not having the product when I needed it.

https://www.amazon.com/MK-320S-Speedlite-Automatic-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01NAMTRP5/ref=asc_df_B01NAMTRP5/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312106635483&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1880251868657082675&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031582&hvtargid=pla-568581351346&th=1

gwilliams6

Godox V350s is the right one for you. I have several Godox/Flashpoint strobes for my Sony cameras, the V350s is the smallest and lightest, but still has great features.

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-Rechargeable-Battery-Outpout-ILCE6000L/dp/B07C7XBMJ2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=CjwKCAjw0tHoBRBhEiwAvP1GFc6PPOV3LQl6IWRp7kjqbgQsZl1L8qhu4CDamL-TxOCzyXS3KTdguRoC718QAvD_BwE&hvadid=256390032654&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9027222&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17207650026986771013&hvtargid=aud-676677759484%3Akwd-492762539917&hydadcr=18441_9455055&keywords=godox+v350s&qid=1561645360&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

DrJ

The Godox V350 specs look great but its dimensions are: W x H x D: 150*62*38mm. Six inches high is bigger than what I want now. I may buy a larger Godox at a later date for my Canon 5D Mk III for planned portraits. Thanks, DrJ

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I have small Meike flash unit that I use on my RX100ii and I am happy with the results. On the flash model I have the battery life indicator is not accurate. It shows low battery quickly but there is still a lot of power left.

Bill_de Loc: US

I picked this up for my Z6 @ $79 when it was on sale at B&H a week or so ago. Their sales tend to repeat themselves.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1432451-REG/nissin_nd400_n_nd400n_ttl_flash_i400.html

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Toment Loc: FL, IL

DrJ wrote:

I bought a SONY a7 II and am happy with it. I don... (show quote)

Sony HVL-F20M, small, useful for fill, especially if you are using a long lens that throws a shadow 😀
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sony%20hvl%20f20m&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

gwilliams6

DrJ wrote:

The Godox V350 specs look great but its dimensions are: W x H x D: 150*62*38mm. Six inches high is bigger than what I want now. I may buy a larger Godox at a later date for my Canon 5D Mk III for planned portraits. Thanks, DrJ

The smaller ones are very low on power and features and IMHO useless except as a replacement for a weak pop-up flash. If that is all you are looking for then ok, there are several choices. But you can do so much more with a flash like the V350s which really is not that big. I used to use it on my APS-C size Sony A6500 and it fitted that well. On your A7II it will be an excellent fit and be well balanced. Cheers

DrJ

Thanks gwilliams6. The V350 for SONY a7II is $156 on ebay. I may buy that for my Canon 5D Mk III, which is my go to portrait body. My friend loves his on the Nikon D750. I don't think I want to spend $156 for the SONY now, mayby later. DrJ

gwilliams6

DrJ wrote:

Thanks gwilliams6. The V350 for SONY a7II is $156 on ebay. I may buy that for my Canon 5D Mk III, which is my go to portrait body. My friend loves his on the Nikon D750. I don't think I want to spend $156 for the SONY now, mayby later. DrJ