how important is external flash

pls go easy on me

new dslr owner here. i just recently spent on a couple of lenses (55-250 IS and 85 mm 1.8) and am thoroughly enjoying learning and shooting. however...

i wanted to know how important it is to have an external flash, in the context of shooting indoors? i am hoping the 85 mm 1.8 gets the job done most of the time for indoors right (or my nifty fifty)? i did browse through the tutorial in the flash section and am aware of the benefits of bounce flash and diffused flash, but for casual shooting (no weddings or the like...), do most of you use the external flash, or just rely on fast lenses?

secondly, for fill flash, am i right to assume that the only advantage of an external flash over the built in flash is the power? i know it is a big advantage, but are there any more?

i guess i am asking this mainly to see how big an impact having an external flash is.

thanks.

im looking forward to your response.

ed

Couldn't take photos, in a lot of cases, without one.

Some people make do without them, I feel it's a necessary part of a kit.

yes, you need one...

I have a 20 f/2.8 24-70 f/2.8, and i have still been in gyms that mirror dungeons...

so yes, A flash is essential.

Personally if I can shoot w/o flash I do so. If I do need to use flash I *never* use the built in flash unless I have nothing else available and it is a moment I want to capture, not because I want to get a good shot. The built in flash is underpowered and sits too close to the lens. Really even if you get a strobe it is best to get it off camera with a bracket and/or off camera chord. If you are just starting out play and learn about light, you can get by with the built in flash but you won't be happy with the results.

Very!!

I think it's pretty good to have a flash handy if you shoot indoors a lot. The built in flash is definitely terrible. Haha

There is a lot more to lighting that just finding a way to get enough on the sensor. To be sure, a dSLR can be used with high enough ISO and fast enough lenses that you can get an ambient lit shot in some very dim locations.

Then come the other issues:
1. Most obvious is DOF. Shooting fast lenses wide open may get you the shutter speed you need but if you also really need more than a razor thin DOF you may be in trouble. I can assure you that f/2 is not great for shots of 2-4 people.
2. The quality of light is the second issue. Sometimes indoor lights cast unflattering shadows.

The picture below is an ambient light shot at 85mm and f/1.8. I could get enough shutter speed for the shot, but the lights are crap and the shadows on the subjects face are not flattering. This is an example where a flash would have been better IMO.

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i didnt think so...cept went to a family function (Wedding) and wasnt able to get great shots with the built it. Only ones were very very close. I didnt have a tripod either. ..however a flash would of been great for the reception were we were in a dim lighting type area. I tried to shrug it off...but once you get to bouncing the flash off walls and ceilings or using it during the day as a fill flash with the subject is really back lite. Will kill bad looking shadows.

Jeffrey, that image is an excellent argument for owning a flash unit. Today's digital SLRs can create very good images even in low light. But the point of using a flash is not just to add more light. It's to control the light.

Here's six reasons to own a good flash unit:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=207470

its an indispensable part of the camera and a must buy for anyone in photography.

External Flash would be first non lens accessory I would buy. Actually...second after the memory card

thanks everyone. yes yes, i heard you. a 430 EX is on the way, hopefully in a few weeks or so found a good deal here in toronto. now if anyone had one they wanted to sell...

you will highly enjoy the 430ex as i just bought one myself....LOVE playing with the bouncing of the light, really gives a nature light look to pics.

Agreed, the 430EX is great. And if you really get into things and decide to get a 580EX you can use the 430 as a slave.

I love my 550EX. I always use it indoors it's very rare that I use the onboard flash (usually just to fill shadows or something).