External Flash worth it?

nanko · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

I am now tempted to buy an External Flash after looking at other Pro's ... Does it make a big big difference in photography?

also i saw this Pro guy carrying like a small box with straps on his shoulder hooked up to his camera ... wondering if that was battery pack or something?

Ephemeral · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

"Worth" is a relative concept.

It could help you to improve your pictures, though don't automatically assume that having the top of range flash will make your pictures better. Having an external flash is only half the story, learning how to use it is the other.

cdifoto · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ephemeral

It could help you to improve your pictures, though don't automatically assume that having the top of range flash will make your pictures better. Having an external flash is only half the story, learning how to use it is the other.

This is well stated. I'll just add that most flashes are purchased with a purpose/scenario in mind. Not just because they see someone else with one. Or at least I would hope that's the case...

And knowing when to use flash and when not to use it is just as important as knowing how to use it.

twisted pixels · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

I could not get the photos of strippers that I have to without a flash.
They flash at me so I flash at them!
On a lighter note, any action photos in low light eg: drag racing,dancing girls etc. If you want to freeze the action, a good flash is needed. The camera flash just won't cut it. Not to mention some really cool effects you can get by playing around with second curtain sinc etc. Sounds like a battery pack to me. Never needed one. I get all the power I need from duracells.(never have let me down) for hundreds of pics.

cdifoto · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisted pixels

Sounds like a battery pack to me. Never needed one. I get all the power I need from duracells.(never have let me down) for hundreds of pics.

Not to start a debate, but those packs are good for more than longevity...they make recycle times a LOT faster too.

fi20100 · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

If you’re willing to put some time into reading and practicing flash photography, it can open a completely new door for you. For me, it’s much more about learning to control the light with the help of flash, than just creating light with a flash

Curtis N · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

nanko,

The link below should enlighten you.
(WHY) SHOULD I GET A FLASH UNIT FOR MY CAMERA?

Big WIll · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

simply buy one you will not regret it.

SHANGHAi · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

Depends what you shoot. For me, most indoor situations require flash. It's also a life-saver from direct flash.

Patrick S · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

One huge advantage of external flash is that you can tilt and swivel the flash head, so that the light can come to the subject from the side or the top, instead of head-on. This gives you a level of control over the image that you'll never have with a built-in flash. For instance, you can turn the flash 90 degrees to the side and bounce the flash off of a wall or a reflector and get a strongly directional light, or point the flash at the ceiling and get an overhead lighting effect.

cdifoto · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

I think something needs to be clarified first before we recommend OP blowing $200+ on a good flash unit:

Do you shoot with flash a lot now? Or does everything you do involve natural light?

I would say if you do a LOT of onboard flash shooting (or any really), then yes an external flash would be most beneficial - it would improve your results dramatically. If you not use flash, and/or absolutely hate the look of it, then you can save your pennies at least for now, unless you want to begin experimenting right away.

My 2 cents.

SoaringUSAEagle · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

All I can say is I am very happy with my flash. I am learning a lot with it still...

fi20100 · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdi-ink.com

I think something needs to be clarified first before we recommend OP blowing $200+ on a good flash unit:

Do you shoot with flash a lot now? Or does everything you do involve natural light?

I would say if you do a LOT of onboard flash shooting (or any really), then yes an external flash would be most beneficial - it would improve your results dramatically. If you not use flash, and/or absolutely hate the look of it, then you can save your pennies at least for now, unless you want to begin experimenting right away.
My 2 cents.

Yes, but... even if the OP is NOT shooting a lot with the onboard flash, it might just be because it is so limiting... and if the OP absolutely hate the look of photos taken with flash, this question would probably not be asked

Ephemeral · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick S

One huge advantage of external flash is that you can tilt and swivel the flash head, so that the light can come to the subject from the side or the top, instead of head-on. This gives you a level of control over the image that you'll never have with a built-in flash. For instance, you can turn the flash 90 degrees to the side and bounce the flash off of a wall or a reflector and get a strongly directional light, or point the flash at the ceiling and get an overhead lighting effect.

This is, of course, assuming you buy a flash with a pan and tilt head.

Pixels · 4th of October 2006 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis N

nanko,

The link below should enlighten you.
(WHY) SHOULD I GET A FLASH UNIT FOR MY CAMERA?

I love the pun!

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#1
nanko Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 123	External Flash worth it? I am now tempted to buy an External Flash after looking at other Pro's ... Does it make a big big difference in photography? also i saw this Pro guy carrying like a small box with straps on his shoulder hooked up to his camera ... wondering if that was battery pack or something? __________________ Canon Digital Rebel XT, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Aikiphoto-Yake 3 strobes powerful 510w/s strobes lighting kit Sekonic L-358 Flashmeter, LowePro CompuTrekker AW

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#2
Ephemeral Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK (London) Posts: 896 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: External Flash worth it? "Worth" is a relative concept. It could help you to improve your pictures, though don't automatically assume that having the top of range flash will make your pictures better. Having an external flash is only half the story, learning how to use it is the other. __________________ Canon 5D + Grip \| 85mm L f/1.2 \| 17-40mm L f/4.0 \| 24-70mm L f/2.8 \| 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS \| Speedlite 580EX & 430EX \| Manfrotto 190Pro + 488RC2 ephemeral.smugmug.com

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#4
twisted pixels Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast Australia Posts: 457 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: External Flash worth it? I could not get the photos of strippers that I have to without a flash. They flash at me so I flash at them! On a lighter note, any action photos in low light eg: drag racing,dancing girls etc. If you want to freeze the action, a good flash is needed. The camera flash just won't cut it. Not to mention some really cool effects you can get by playing around with second curtain sinc etc. Sounds like a battery pack to me. Never needed one. I get all the power I need from duracells.(never have let me down) for hundreds of pics.

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#6
fi20100 Goldmember Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Finland Posts: 3,540 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: External Flash worth it? If you’re willing to put some time into reading and practicing flash photography, it can open a completely new door for you. For me, it’s much more about learning to control the light with the help of flash, than just creating light with a flash __________________ Stefan 5D, 5D, 40D + 17-40L, 24-70L, 70-200L, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100L Macro and some other stuff. flickr, 5∞px

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#7
Curtis N Master Flasher Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern Illinois, US Posts: 18,993	Re: External Flash worth it? nanko, The link below should enlighten you. (WHY) SHOULD I GET A FLASH UNIT FOR MY CAMERA? __________________ "If you're not having fun, your pictures will reflect that." - Joe McNally Chicago area POTN events Flash Photography 101 \| The EOS Flash Bible \| Techniques for Better On-Camera Flash \| How to Use Flash Outdoors \| Excel-based DOF Calculator

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#8
Big WIll "Slight breach of etiquette" Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chester & Bucks UK Posts: 2,363 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: External Flash worth it? simply buy one you will not regret it. __________________ Computers blur the boundaries... We are being released from the suddenness of photography, the suddenness of the shutter

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#9
SHANGHAi Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 257	Re: External Flash worth it? Depends what you shoot. For me, most indoor situations require flash. It's also a life-saver from direct flash. __________________ http://www.liang-shi.com

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#10
Patrick S Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 89	Re: External Flash worth it? One huge advantage of external flash is that you can tilt and swivel the flash head, so that the light can come to the subject from the side or the top, instead of head-on. This gives you a level of control over the image that you'll never have with a built-in flash. For instance, you can turn the flash 90 degrees to the side and bounce the flash off of a wall or a reflector and get a strongly directional light, or point the flash at the ceiling and get an overhead lighting effect.

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#11
cdifoto Don't get pissy with me Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 32,825	Re: External Flash worth it? I think something needs to be clarified first before we recommend OP blowing $200+ on a good flash unit: Do you shoot with flash a lot now? Or does everything you do involve natural light? I would say if you do a LOT of onboard flash shooting (or any really), then yes an external flash would be most beneficial - it would improve your results dramatically. If you not use flash, and/or absolutely hate the look of it, then you can save your pennies at least for now, unless you want to begin experimenting right away. My 2 cents. __________________ Did you lose Digital Photo Professional (DPP)? Get it here. Cursing at your worse-than-a-map reflector? Check out this vid!

4th of October 2006 (Wed)	#12
SoaringUSAEagle Daddy Of The Crop Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,792	Re: External Flash worth it? All I can say is I am very happy with my flash. I am learning a lot with it still... __________________ 5D3 \| 35L \| 50 1.4 \| 85L II \| 100L \| 135L \| 24-70L II \| 70-200 2.8L IS II

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