georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I just got the D3200 after being a Canon user for many years. Anything anyone knows that a novice to this Nikon would need to know? I am trying to get a flash, of course everyone says spend more money (which I don't have; but the guy at the shop says people expect the best, so they carry the expensive stuff, but I think profit has something to do with it, also there is only one camera shop in Baltimore) but I want to know why? What do expensive flash units do that the inexpensive ones don't, in terms of specifications? I am leaning to the Nikon SB400, with an extension cord to make it an optional hand held flash for side lighting to get some shadows on the face instead of straight on flash 'flat' lighting. One reviewer said it didn't have swivel capability, but the specs show the light itself can be tilted vertical and in between although the flash body itself doesn't move. I see the cords are inexpensive, do they need any type of adapter? What about other flash brands that may give better options for the same price? What do you look for in a Flash? Fast regeneration speed comes to mind so you can shoot rapidly. I was looking at frames that could give some degree of side lighting that gets the flash away from the camera, but the guy in the shop said it was only to eliminate the back shadow when the camera is tilted sideways to get a vertical picture. The guy at the shop really didn't take questions well, he continually shut me up to tell me what he wanted to say, he sort of brushed off my concerns about side lighting, etc. and said the SB400 was no better than the built in flash, I needed the $400 unit. One professional portrait/wedding photographer advised online never to use straight on lighting and never use the built in flash. I am looking at a Sunpak PZ42X TTL flash that looks good.

avengine

a Vivitar 285HV used is a good choice, I have d5100 with it so far so good.

mrblackett Loc: Bloomfield, CT

I gave away my sb400, got the sb-700, then got a 2nd sb-700 after liking it so much,

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I am going with the Sunpak PZ42X TTL, for the swivel that the Vivatar seems to lack, although the variable brightness wheel looks very desirable on the Vivatar.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I wish I could afford the Nikon SB's.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

What is the frame used for? I thought it would give side lighting, but the guy at the shop just shook his head no and said it was used for eliminating a shadow behind the body that occurs when you tilt the camera to get a vertical portrait position instead of the horizontal landscape position. I suspect there is more to it than that, your avatar seem to have a frame in an unusual position. I am making progress, last week I had never heard of one until another UHH member reccommended it.