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What flash for a d3400
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Feb 17, 2018 17:32:34   #
John Gavin
 
I've learned a lot about lenses and cameras in general by just sitting back and reading everyone's posts for the last couple months. Thanks for all that; I'm now more confused than ever! I bought a d3400 kit although I did finally pick up a sigma 18-300 which is light-years beyond the kit lenses Nikon gave me. I have a long way to go to upgrade both the camera body and lenses and I'll just let my passion or lack thereof direct where I end up. So my next request for information is this, I've got a beginner camera, a mid-level beginner cover it all lens and, no idea of what kind of flash I might consider. I found a nissin Di866 and it's the original for 90 bucks. The new MarkII is 350 ish. They fit my camera so, what is a decent mid-level flash I should be considering? Thanks guys,
John

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Feb 17, 2018 17:40:19   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Do you really need a flash at this point? Unless there is an urgent need for a flash you can simply increase the ISO on your camera and adjust other settings to use natural light indoors or out in most situations. You have time yet to polish your basic digital photography skills. It isn’t like when you owned a film camera and were restricted to the ISO (ASA) that you set for each roll of film. With a digital camera, you can raise or lower your ISO at any time.

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Feb 17, 2018 18:00:01   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 
rjaywallace wrote:
Do you really need a flash at this point? Unless there is an urgent need for a flash you can simply increase the ISO on your camera and adjust other settings to use natural light indoors or out in most situations. You have time yet to polish your basic digital photography skills. It isn’t like when you owned a film camera and were restricted to the ISO (ASA) that you set for each roll of film. With a digital camera, you can raise or lower your ISO at any time.


Well, this answers the question I had, the D3400 has no built on flash. Bummer for the OP. But a chance to learn more about natural light!

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Feb 17, 2018 18:15:27   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
lamiaceae wrote:
Well, this answers the question I had, the D3400 has no built on flash. Bummer for the OP. But a chance to learn more about natural light!


It DOES does have a built-in flash, but with a guide number of approx. 22, not much uumph, the position is prone to red-eye and it can't be used to control a remote flash using the pop-up.

And contrary to other opinions I've seen here, there is low lighting and there is bad lighting.
Sometimes they are in the same place.
Increasing the ISO can fix low lighting, but sometimes you are still left with bad lighting.

The best made speedlights are usually those by the OEM and I have quite a few Nikon flashes at work.
Unfortunately, they like them too $$$$
I have a couple of Godox flashes and am very happy with the build and features.
Godox makes the most extensive line of flash equipment on the market with speedlight to monolights and in between, with the AD200.
The one I reccommend is about $110 and is marketed by the Godox brand at B&H and Flashpoint at Adorama, but it is the same flash.
Has a built-in radio receiver if you ever want to venture into off-camera flash.

Good book on flash photography by Bryan Petersen HERE.
Good luck!

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Feb 17, 2018 18:37:48   #
John Gavin
 
Umm, duh, didn't think of it that way! I will wait until I see where I go with this before I introduce flash to the mix. Just saved me 350ish, thanks!!!!!

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Feb 17, 2018 18:54:55   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
John Gavin wrote:
Umm, duh, didn't think of it that way! I will wait until I see where I go with this before I introduce flash to the mix. Just saved me 350ish, thanks!!!!!

As Ralph said, learn with what you have.
But keep in the back of your mind that there are a lot of times another light might help things.
Ans it doesn't have to look like flash, ....if you know what you're doing.
When I was starting out, the biggest thing I learned was "You don't know what you don't know"

Look at the STROBIST WEBSITE, what Joe McNally and Neil vanNiekerk can do with speedlights to get an idea.
Joe and Neil have some great books too!

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Feb 17, 2018 19:34:04   #
d3200prime
 
John Gavin wrote:
I've learned a lot about lenses and cameras in general by just sitting back and reading everyone's posts for the last couple months. Thanks for all that; I'm now more confused than ever! I bought a d3400 kit although I did finally pick up a sigma 18-300 which is light-years beyond the kit lenses Nikon gave me. I have a long way to go to upgrade both the camera body and lenses and I'll just let my passion or lack thereof direct where I end up. So my next request for information is this, I've got a beginner camera, a mid-level beginner cover it all lens and, no idea of what kind of flash I might consider. I found a nissin Di866 and it's the original for 90 bucks. The new MarkII is 350 ish. They fit my camera so, what is a decent mid-level flash I should be considering? Thanks guys,
John
I've learned a lot about lenses and cameras in gen... (show quote)


If you must have a flash I would recommend the Nikon SB400. It's a simple flash but has enough power to really make a difference. I feel it is a great flash for beginners. You can find one on eBay for around $100 used or new for around $250. It's a compact and tough flash without all the bells and whistles you don't really need right now.

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Feb 17, 2018 22:04:49   #
toxdoc42
 
It depends on if you need the name on the unit or the unit itself. There are many inexpensive units available that are almost "throw aways" compared to the name brands. How often and for what will the lights be used? That will also help make your decision.

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Feb 18, 2018 00:05:52   #
CO
 
I saw that the price of the Nissin Di866 is the same as the Nikon SB-700. I would get the SB-700. Nikon's flash metering produces very accurate exposures. I have the SB-700. I've always been impressed with the photos I get when using it. I like that it has a mode switch (TTL, Manual, GN) on the outside. You don't have to go into the menus for that.

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Feb 18, 2018 07:03:59   #
Deanie1113
 
Get a doggone flash! It will improve your shots immensely, especially indoors. I have a D5500 and have a Nikon SB 500. It's great because it's small, pivots every direction, and fits nicely into my smallish bag. I recommend checking out the SIZE of the flashes you are considering. Some of the cheaper ones are huge and I felt it would be unbalanced and look ridiculous on my small D5500. How much attention do you want to call to yourself at a party? A large flash will scream "look at me I am a photographer." My set up is discreet and the SB 500 works great.

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Feb 18, 2018 09:21:10   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
John Gavin wrote:
I've learned a lot about lenses and cameras in general by just sitting back and reading everyone's posts for the last couple months. Thanks for all that; I'm now more confused than ever! I bought a d3400 kit although I did finally pick up a sigma 18-300 which is light-years beyond the kit lenses Nikon gave me. I have a long way to go to upgrade both the camera body and lenses and I'll just let my passion or lack thereof direct where I end up. So my next request for information is this, I've got a beginner camera, a mid-level beginner cover it all lens and, no idea of what kind of flash I might consider. I found a nissin Di866 and it's the original for 90 bucks. The new MarkII is 350 ish. They fit my camera so, what is a decent mid-level flash I should be considering? Thanks guys,
John
I've learned a lot about lenses and cameras in gen... (show quote)


I own a Yongnuo #685. It's effective and inexpensive. I believe I paid less than $100 for it, when I bought it, somewhere over a year ago. Since then, I've have heard nothing but good about Godox. Check them out too. Looks like they are rising in popularity on this forum. You will indeed need an external flash on the D3400, if taking photos inside in low light rooms, etc. The pop up flash on that camera has diminished light, compared to the D3300. Nikon admitted that, when the camera was released. To extend battery life.

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Feb 18, 2018 10:11:33   #
agillot
 
walmart has a dedicated flash for nikon , [ $ 65 ] .i think it is a sunpack ??

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Feb 18, 2018 10:49:35   #
Tommy II Loc: Northern Illinois
 
d3200prime wrote:
If you must have a flash I would recommend the Nikon SB400. It's a simple flash but has enough power to really make a difference. I feel it is a great flash for beginners. You can find one on eBay for around $100 used or new for around $250. It's a compact and tough flash without all the bells and whistles you don't really need right now.


I love my little SB400. I’ve been using it on my new D500. Yeah, it’s a little close to the camera, by so far it hasn’t given me that much trouble. It’s small, and uses 2 AA batteries that seem to last forever.

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Feb 18, 2018 11:57:01   #
NikonFan
 
The Nikon SB400 would be a good choice, but when I was looking for a flash for my D60, I bought a Sunpak equivalent and it works great. Also saved a considerable amount of money.

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Feb 18, 2018 12:05:50   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
NikonFan wrote:
The Nikon SB400 would be a good choice, but when I was looking for a flash for my D60, I bought a Sunpak equivalent and it works great. Also saved a considerable amount of money.


Good size for the OP’s camera!
It really depends on what you plan on doing with it.
Better than the pop-up.
Basic flash with some bounce capability.

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