Very basic flash for Nikon Df: I've been taking photos for decades. I've rarely used flash and generally prefer not to, but there are times it would be nice to have the option...

jeweler53

I've been taking photos for decades. I've rarely used flash and generally prefer not to, but there are times it would be nice to have the option available.

I absolutely love my Df, but one thing that is missing is an on camera flash.

My question is this. For very basic operation, such as auto fill flash, what would you suggest? I'm looking for integrated function such as I get with my D300 (using it's pop up flash).

I have a Yongnuo YN968N, which works, but I cannot get it to work "automatically" it seems that I may be setting it up wrong. It works fine in manual.

Comments?

BebuLamar

For flash under dark condition where the flash provides all or most of the light I use a wide variety of flashes unit dated back to the 80's. They are of various brands. I use the flashes in non TTL auto mode or manual.
For fill flash in bright condition I found the Nikon SB-800 works best.

Quixdraw Loc: x

If not for "Professional" use, the Metz 24 AF 1 is compact, inexpensive, and works well with my DF.

jeweler53

Hobby use only.

Thanks to both of you!

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

jeweler53 wrote:

I've been taking photos for decades. I've rarely u... (show quote)

I use Vivitar 285HV Zoom Thryristor auto/manual flash, no TTL, a powerful unit, under $100. guide number 120 at ASA 100 .This is newer unit than the old Vivitar 285 (high voltage, will damage the circuitry in the modern digi camera), the 285HV is designed with low trigger voltage and safe to use.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

jeweler53 wrote:

I've been taking photos for decades. I've rarely u... (show quote)

I have had very good results using a a Nikon SB-400 for this purpose. It does not offer all of the functionality available from more advanced flashes, but it does perform the camera-supported functions well. It will slip into a pocket, battery life (2-AA cells) is decent, and construction is quite rugged. It has been discontinued for quite some time, but nice used ones are readily available. They aren't cheap (usually $125 or so for one in nice shape), but there is a reason for that. Other choices are available, but I like the SB-400.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

For Pentax, I've gone back to the Vivitar unit I used when our daughters were young over twenty years ago.
In general, I find the "auto" mode that worked back then works better for me than today's "TTL" mode.

CO

wingclui44 wrote:

I use Vivitar 285HV Zoom Thryristor auto/manual flash, no TTL, a powerful unit, under $100. guide number 120 at ASA 100 .This is newer unit than the old Vivitar 285 (high voltage, will damage the circuitry in the modern digi camera), the 285HV is designed with low trigger voltage and safe to use.

How are those flash units going to provide auto fill flash for the OP's camera? They would have to have TTL metering support for Nikon cameras.

CO

Take a look at the Nikon SB-500 flash. It's an excellent basic flash. The discontinued SB-400 is another excellent basic flash but its head only swivels up and down. I had one but sold it because of that.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

CO wrote:

Take a look at the Nikon SB-500 flash. It's an excellent basic flash. The discontinued SB-400 is another excellent basic flash but its head only swivels up and down. I had one but sold it because of that.

Agreed. On my Df I use the SB500 and have been quite satisfied. Works well with an extension cord, softbox, etc.

User ID

wingclui44 wrote:

I use Vivitar 285HV Zoom Thryristor auto/manual flash, no TTL, a powerful unit, under $100. guide number 120 at ASA 100 .This is newer unit than the old Vivitar 285 (high voltage, will damage the circuitry in the modern digi camera), the 285HV is designed with low trigger voltage and safe to use.

Likewise the 285. For a fully integrated flash the Sunpak U4000DF is only $60 and includes dome, case, and 1/4-20 adapter. Unlike my 285 it has a metal foot. Seems to be a BestBuy exclusive.

Has no filter adapter but I cut down a Cokin tungsten filter so it fits inside the dome for color temp matching for fill flash use indoors.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

CO wrote:

How are those flash units going to provide auto fill flash for the OP's camera? They would have to have TTL metering support for Nikon cameras.

It has four distant measuring sensor coordinate with the aperture setting and the ISO to automatic adjusting the out put. It works great for me, I I use it for every shooting that requires flash, I used it on my daughter's weeding few years ago, I like the result. It can be used on any camera, you have to set the aperture and the ISO on the camera as on the flash.

BebuLamar

wingclui44 wrote:

It has four distant measuring sensor coordinate with the aperture setting and the ISO to automatic adjusting the out put. It works great for me, I I use it for every shooting that requires flash, I used it on my daughter's weeding few years ago, I like the result. It can be used on any camera, you have to set the aperture and the ISO on the camera as on the flash.

But it wouldn't do a fill in flash well enough. If the flash is the only or main source of light it works well. That's the reason I bought the SB-800. None of my flashes can do bright sun fill in easily.

jeweler53

What I am after would be the equivalent of the pop up flash on my D300. No, it won't do everything, but that isn't what I want Bounce is a plus though, and completely auto function is what I want.

BebuLamar

For that I would recommend the Nikon SB-300. If you buy different brand flashes it's hard to to get the good integration like the built in flash. For $149 I don't think it's too much although a Youngnuo or Godox with more power can be had for less than $100. But it would be the simplest to use.