Buy new flash or slave trigger?

[traildad]

I am getting the equipment to use the super macro add on reverse lens method. I have an older standard hot shoe flash. I am trying to decide if I should buy a new slave flash or just get one of the slave flash hot shoe adapters. I don't have a ton of money and I don't want to end up with a cheapo flash. What are the pros and cons of the slave flash triggers and what is a decent "budget" slave flash? Thanks Ken

[Jon]

For macro . . . you'll need something that you can regulate the flash output manually with; either that or set the flash a fair distance back from the subject. Most auto flash units have a minimum as well as maximum distance they're usable at. A good digital slave trigger (necessary to survive the "pre-flash" your A720 uses to determine correct exposure) will cost somewhere near what a separate (but possibly less powerful) slave flash does. I've used my old Vivitar 283 with a manual power level control adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61614-REG/Vivitar_238278_VP_1_Vari_Power_Adapter.html) and a digital slave trigger (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/263024-REG/Wein_W940030D_HS_Hot_Shoe_Slave.html) as a background light with my cameras, but not for macro, and it works well.

[traildad]

I am not sure if I understand what your recommendation was. The old flash I have is one with a high and low setting that will limit the flash output automatically the closer you are to the subject. It also has the manual setting. Would you use this flash with a digital slave trigger? If not what slave flash do you recommend in the "budget" range? Thanks Ken

[Jon]

What flash is your old one? I don't think an auto flash, whether a dedicated slave or a manual flash with a slave trigger, will work well if it's much closer than 2-3 ft. from the subject (it'll overwhelm the subject), and in macro photography you'll have a hard time tripping your slave if it's that far away, and still lighting the front of your subject.

[traildad]

What flash is your old one?

It is a Vivitar Auto Thyristor 2800

[Jon]

I think you'd need to use that with the Wide Adapter and about 4 stops of Neutral Density filters over the flash head to get the aperture in a range your camera can cope with. If you don't have the instructions, you can download a set here (http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-2800-Automatic-Electronic-Flash/dp/B00004TVSQ) (link under "Product Details").

You need a slave that will give you a guide number of around 10 in feet; that's going to be hard to find unless you get one with variable manual power settings.

I've seen some posts on here by people who've made flash-controlling devices (basically white card or aluminum foil) to channel the light from their PowerShot flashes. Here's one (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229290&highlight=ring+light).

[msowsun]

How about $14.95? That is all you really need. I have been using one like this for years with my A80.

I set the camera flash on manual 1/3, and set the slave flash on full manual output. Adjust slave flash position, the aperture, and/or ISO for proper exposure. The camera flash triggers the slave flash and adds just a little fill.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Compact-Slave-Flash-for-NIKON-D200-D300-D2Hs-D2x-D3-NEW_W0QQitemZ280216016893QQihZ018QQcategoryZ48515Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/43000054/Images/2/318afcopy.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/1a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/2a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/3a.jpg

[traildad]

I think you'd need to use that with the Wide Adapter and about 4 stops of Neutral Density filters over the flash head to get the aperture in a range your camera can cope with.
I am planning on using an Omni-Bounce as well.

[Jon]

That'll be good for maybe a stop or so.