Any Ideas on a Good Basic Flashgun Compatible with Nikon

Paul Lange

Paul Lange

Moderator
Hi Guys,

I'm looking at flash guns and want something that covers the main basics without being too complicated to operate. The main reason for purchasing it is really to get better lighting than the built in flash which is pretty unflattering.

Been looking at the Sunpak PZ42 as well as the Sigma EF-530 or 610. The Sigma's seem more powerful (on paper) but the Sunpak looks a little more flexible without having too many options making it a pain to set up. My main criterions are changeable power settings, tilt & swivel head, Nikon I-TTL and the zoom function seems useful too.

Any suggestions or your experiences with Flashes would be helpful.
 
i am in the same boat Paul, i am totally new to flash guns, i have searched & read all sorts on line, i have come to the conlucsion that sticking with canon branded product will be best for my needs (not that i know what they are yet)

I am going for a canon 430 speedlite, when i can get to shops to buy one. My canon 7D can control & fire the canon flash guns remotely off camera apparently, it has a trigger built into camera or something, i think this could make for interesting & creative possibilities.

Daz
 
Hi Paul

I don't possess to be an expert on flashguns, but I do have a relative level of experience with my particular falshgun that carries the name of 'Metz mecablitz 48-AF1'

For me its the perfect tool for what I use it for and I'm sure you can get it for a Nikon fit too. From my point of view, to gain as much possible performance from a flash gun without needing a degree to operate it, this is most certainly the one (Flashgun for dummies I'd call it........hence, why I have one)
And as for your criterions that you have stated, changeable power is definately achieveable in manual setting without any fuss at all, in fact, I use manual setting very often as it is sooooo easy to adjust.
Tilt and swilvel head are also on the list ( and built in difusser and reflector card )

I use the the Metz flashgun for my Olympus E-600.

I hope I've been helpful with this product that I've been absolutley satisfied with.

Happy Flashing!!!! :)
 
Darren Turner said:
i am in the same boat Paul, i am totally new to flash guns, i have searched & read all sorts on line, i have come to the conlucsion that sticking with canon branded product will be best for my needs (not that i know what they are yet)

I am going for a canon 430 speedlite, when i can get to shops to buy one. My canon 7D can control & fire the canon flash guns remotely off camera apparently, it has a trigger built into camera or something, i think this could make for interesting & creative possibilities.

Daz
Click to expand...

Can't help, Paul, sorry.

Darren, the Canon 430 is the one I got for Christmas, a good choice I must say.
 
Here you go mate ... Sight2sound price ...
http://www.sight2sound.co.uk/photo-accessories/flashguns/sunpak-pz42-flashgun-132.html

Might be able to do it a bit cheaper I'll check...

(just finishing building that web site - what you think?)

Mate, for the money, you can't go wrong ...
My only other suggestion would be a second hand nikon sb600...
I have a sb600 I have used and abused for 4 years(?) it's falling apart... But still works perfectly and is very good ... I got mine so long ago it cost me £179 new!!!
 
Here you go mate ... Sight2sound price ...
http://www.sight2sound.co.uk/photo-accessories/flashguns/sunpak-pz42-flashgun-132.html

Might be able to do it a bit cheaper I'll check...

(just finishing building that web site - what you think?)

Mate, for the money, you can't go wrong ...
My only other suggestion would be a second hand nikon sb600...
I have a sb600 I have used and abused for 4 years(?) it's falling apart... But still works perfectly and is very good ... I got mine so long ago it cost me £179 new!!!
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I had a look a the Metz Flashguns and they could well be an option too. Had a look at the SB600 as well. I don't really have a budget but want to stick to something sensible and weigh up the cost to actual usage factor. The Sunpak looks fairly good but whats the build quality like, is it on par with say a Sigma or Nikon flash? Also what about the Metz are they quite solid as well?
 
Hamish, I really do apologise for any inconvenience and I'm very greatful that you have made a prompt effort to order me one in which I will recognise in future for any specialist parts I do need...... but.... but.......... GOD DAM IT!!! I got one for Christmas!!! I didn't even know. I hinted to my wife but didn't expect her to order me one online. Suprises can be great, but at the same time it'd probably be worth letting my wife know what I was ordering elswhere so she could ammend things. I hope I haven't caused too much hassle if I said I don't need it. Thank you anyway Hamish
Umbrella is great though......... (okay, thats all the *** kissing your getting) lol
 
Hi Paul,
I've had my Metz since september and I love it, the only thing I will say and the Metz 36 AF-4 (which is the one down from mine), although it is most definately in budget, it doesn't have the swivel head, and for cieling bounce portraiture shots, that could be a little problem, (minus a diffuser and reflector card too) also, it does not have any way of adjusting the power output manually other than it pairing with the camera automaticaly via lighting conditions/metering etc. I'll admitt, I did have the Metz 36 AF-4 for a few weeks, didn't like what it offered, took it back and paid the extra for the Metz 48 AF-1 and its been fantastic!! Build quility is very good, as you would expect for the price of 200 quid, but I'm most certainly sure that you can get it for alot cheaper now that I've seen the 58 AF series for that much now. Wish I'd of held on for a bit to have a bash on that now. lol
but hey, the choice is yours paul, I can only give you a verdict on Metz as I'm in possession of one.
take care
 
Yeah, it's a tricky one really as its only after using the flash you really work out what you want from it. The Metz 48AF1 seems like a good betand has all the features I'm after. The Sigma EF610 DG ST has all the features to and is about the same price but quite a bit more powerful. I initially thought it didn't have incremental power settings, only full or 1/16th power, but it seems you control it with the cameras own flash EV settings, pretty smart.

I think all in all I would be happy with any flash mentioned in this thread and it seems to boil down to will it be a good idea to get the most powerful one which is the most expensive or same a few quid and get a less powerful unit.
 
Used Metz for years before moving to Canon and going Canon for flash.

Metz are definitely pro quality build - as long as it has the features you need for metering with TTL you're on a good track.

However consider any specialist features you camera system may have when used with a dedicated flash - and make sure you understand if these features work with 3rd party units.

On Canon, they have sophisticated ETTL flash exposure - wireless triggering, flash exposure control from camera and/or flash unit, multi-zone flash etc etc, which makes Canon flash an obvious choice for Canon owners.

I expect there is something similar for Nikon?

Also take note of the guide number - or flash power - as this tells you the output of the flash gun, i.e. how far it will fire.

Larger is usually better - as you want to illuminate your subject at distance, not just from a couple of feet away.

Bounce flash has been mentioned, and is a key feature for getting even flash coverage especially for indoor portraits or room photography.

After that, you can look at add on soft boxes, coloured gels, battery packs etc, as you build on your flash purchase.
 
Nikons CLS (creative lighting system) is pretty special
I have a su-800 and 4 sb-r200's I can mount them to the front of my lenses or sit them on thier own little stands all over the show and trigger them with different powers ... Add to that the sb600 and it's quite the set up ... If
I ever used it .... :)
 
Thanks again guys for the help, really apprieciate it. I've taken the plunge though, I found a Metz 48AF-1 Ex Demo for £100 so I snapped it up. Looks like It's got all that I need, for now anyway. The Nikon setup with all of the wireless controllers and flashes that can be set up into groups looks pretty good, my fear was that I would never use it after spending loads of money for it. I nearly went for the Sigma but realised that if ever I bought a wireless unit to fire it remotely I wouldnt be able to adjust the power incrementally.

But if it ends in tears you might find me back here asking more questions again.
 
Bargain!!! Shouldn't go wrong with it Paul. A Hahnel Combi TF Remote Control & Flash Trigger is what I use for my wireless set up although its also fully compatible in RC mode. All the best Paul, hope you get on with it well. (Slighlty jealous that you've pick up one half the price that I did) :/ lol
 
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