repleo Loc: Boston

I have signed up for a 6 week intermediate photography course. The advertised core focus is 'taking control of light' and will include at least one session to 'pose, light and shoot flattering portraits'. One of the 'recommended' pieces of equipment is a flash is 'an external flash with a head that swivels left to right (not just tilts up and down)'. I am looking for something that meets the requirements without costing an arm and a leg. The Sony flashes are way too expensive for the what they are and for the use I will get out of it. I don't expect to do a lot of portraiture stuff but I could see myself using some fill light with my landscape stuff. I found an $85 Godox TT350S Mini Thinklite TTL Flash for Sony Cameras which seems to have a lot of favorable reviews. Does any body have experience with this or recommend any better alternative under $150 max?

I have a LED video light on order already. I think a continuous light is something I would be more likely to use. However, would it would it be suitable in a class setting where there are other folks shooting at the same time?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I’d go with something that has more power, but then, i shoot a lot of flash.
Something like the Godox TT685 fits into your budget and has more power for bouncing the light.
Like the other Godox flash, it also has a built in radio receiver for remote use with a transmitter.

Continuous light is generally not as powerful as flash and I don’t find it as useful outside in daylight.
Not sure what your class requirements are, but these are my 2 cents.

If you really start to enjoy using flash, Godox or under the “”Flashpoint“ name at Adorama, has the most extensive line of flashes of any manufacturer, from speedlights to monolights and in between.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Check out the Yongnuo #560iv for about $70 from B&H. Check the specs and see if it meets your requirements. I own a Yongnuo that's only for a Nikon.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Please pardon my ignorance, but, if you have an external flash, why would you want lateral head movement; why not just turn the whole flash?

repleo Loc: Boston

I think the 'external' flash would still be attached to the camera's hot shoe (or multi interface shoe). It just not an integral flash.

repleo Loc: Boston

I checked out the TT685. It does look like a better option. Thanks for the link.
Thanks GoofyNewfie

repleo Loc: Boston

Thanks for the suggestion mas24. However, I can't tell if it comes for a Sony multi interface shoe without an adapter.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Yongnuo comes with a Shoe mount..I think that is standard now. It appears you may have a better flash with the Godox Brand. Good luck.