Cheap Flashes for sale!

   

Sony HVLF20AM TTL Digital Flash for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
From Sony

The a lighting system HVLF20AM is a compact, lightweight flash unit perfect for first time DSLR users. This lens makes it easy for everyone to take beautiful photos in low light and is slim and stylish enough to keep it mounted on the camera at all times.
Brand: Sony Model: HVLF20AM Dimensions: 3.90" h x 4.33" w x 7.80" l, 1.37 pounds
Expand your creativity with the revolutionary HVL-F20AM compact external flash, which extends illumination range beyond the camera's built-in flash. Bounce flash enables shadowless indirect lighting while TTL (through the lens) flash exposure is automatically controlled by your a DSLR for easy and intuitive operation--all in an ultra-compact design which folds flat when not in use. Extends flash range beyond camera's built-in flash Though compact and lightweight, the HVL-F20AM has a maximum range twice that of the built-in flash units on a230, a330 and a380 cameras. This is represented as the guide number (GN) of 20 with a 50mm focal distance at ISO 100. Bounce flash enables shadowless indirect lighting When set to 'indoor' shooting mode, the flash points up to bounce light off the ceiling for shadowless illumination of your subject. When set to the ‘outdoor' shooting mode, the flash directs light directly at your subject. Built-in diffuser for wide and telephoto shooting With the built-in diffuser the flash illumination covers an angle of view of 27mm at the default Standard Position setting. If users want to to shoot at a greater distance, they can rotate the dial on the side of the flash unit to the 'Tele' Position. Although this reduces flash coverage to an angle of view of 50mm, it extends the range to illuminate more distant subjects. Easy intuitive operation Unlike most external flash units, the HVL-F20AM has no dedicated On/Off switch. Instead, power is automatically switched on simply by raising the flash unit into the shooting position. In addition, a switch on the side of the unit offers Indoor and Outdoor settings, making it easy to obtain flash illumination that suits the shooting situation. A charging lamp indicates when the flash is ready to fire. Light, slim ultra-compact design With a weight of only 90g (approx.) and a thickness of only 24mm (1 inch), the HVL-F20AM is so compact it can simply be folded down and left mounted on the camera when it is not in use, or detached and carried in a shirt pocket. When removed from the camera, the flash unit's hot shoe can be folded to the side, making the body even more compact. Elegant and attractive styling Viewed from any angle, the HVL-F20AM's revolutionary body is sleek, slim, and virtually protrusion-free. The new design also eliminates the LCD display panel found on many conventional flash units, further contributing to esy-use simplicity and stylish design. ADI Flash Metering System The ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) flash metering system offers the optimum flash metering and automatic white-balance compensation regardless of the background conditions or the subject's reflectance. ADI flash metering works in combination with a cameras and lenses that incorporate a distance encoder. When used with these lenses, the camera calculates a guide number to control TTL (through the lens) flash metering. This guide number is calculated according to distance from the subject, ambient light and pre-flash reflectivity of the subject and the background. Wireless flash trigger function (DSLR-A900 only) When teamed with the a900, the HVL-F20AM can also be used to trigger wireless flash setups. Please note, however, that this functionality is only available with DSLR-A900, and does not include luminosity ratio control.
nice aesthetics makes this a perfet replacement for in built flash. first of all I didn't want to carry a bulky flash. This is so small and light that I can leave it on the camera all the time. The range is much better than my alpha 300's in built flash amd the piture quality is quite a bit better. Most importantly it has fixed the shadow I was getting from the stock flash with my Zeiss 1680 lens. I do wish the Alpha's flash had been placed a little higher and avoided the shodow problem. I like the fact that the flash can be folded and stored on the camera itself. The flash uses AAA batteries and just remember to use lithium and not alkaline batteries with this flash. I found the hard way that Alkaline batteries will not last very long and that the flash loses brightness quickly resulting in dim pictures. However, with Energizer Lithum batteries the flash works great. It may also may be a good thing that it does not draw power from the main camera battery. The construction is good and aesthetically it matches the alpha body quite nicely. This flash is about 2x as powerful as the in built one and does a much better job controlling red eye and creating a much nice lighting all round. Don't Even Bother Well, this might be useful for the newer line of Sony's entry level DSLRs because they have a weaker flash, or for the higher end models like the A900 or A850 that have no built in flash. However, if you own an older model camera (A100, A200, A300, A350 or A700) the guide number on this flash will not do you any good. While it looks nice and is very compact, it doesn't really give the functionality and range worth $120. Besides, in the end what matters are the pictures, not how pretty your camera flash is. And this camera flash does not produce good results.

   

Gary Fong Whale Tail Studio Complete System
From Gary Fong

This complete system includes everything you need to get the most our of your Whaletail Studio. The kit includes the Whaletail Studio,unique secure mounting system, Amber Flaps, Chrome Flaps, Regular Translucent Flaps, Accessory Gel Kit, and tutorial DVD. The Whaletail Studio is a versatile flash diffuser that attaches securely to most hotshoe mounted flashes. Gary Fong s unique moveable and removable flap system gives the photographer ultimate control in any lighting situation instantly. The Whaletail Studio is the largest diffuser in the Gary Fong product line which allows it to have the greatest light diffusion. With its unique mounting system, the Whaletail s grip will make sure it stays on your flash. Also, the archival grip band will not deteriorate like traditional rubber bands.


Great flash diffuser! I was just about to purchase the Gary Fong LightSphere, but noticed the WhaleTail on Fong's website - and it's less expensive than the LightSphere. I've only just started using the WhaleTail but am amazed so far at the results. I've used it for portraits, group shots, pets and inanimate objects.Bouncing light off almost anything in a room's a piece of cake. The colored filters work well, too. You should definitely experiment with it - it's very flexible. I'm using it with a Nikon SB800/D200. It's easy to connect to the flash, although the instruction sheet's not illustrated very clearly. On the other hand, you'll definitely find the video tutorial, albeit like an amateur home movie, very helpful and entertaining. The connection to the flash is, as advertised, very strong but practice first! Be prepared for "What the heck is that thing??" comments when you first start using it. Great Product The whail tail studio, simply put does everything it says it will, although a little pricy compared to other products in the market for light control, I really think they can't be compared because Gary Fongs whail tail studio does the job so much easier and in most cases better than anything else out their, I would put the unit as a must have for wedding photographers. Great delivery and shipping. When I was about to purchase, I was skeptical. Like any other person would have been. I mean I am spending more than 100 dollars and I wanted to make sure that this was legit. Only because people are taking advantage of other because of hard times. I was extremely content that the package was delivered in a very timely manner and with all the NEW pieces. Thank you! I love my defuser!

   

LumiQuest Cinch Strap
From Lumiquest

The LumiQuest Cinch Strap enables the photographer to attach LumiQuest accessories without installing self-adhesive loop to their flash. In addition, wrap-around velcro attaches LumiQuest Accessories for a more secure attachment. This is particularly useful with the Big Bounce and larger SoftBoxes.


It works, but is it really worth it? Like others, I didn't want to attach sticky velcro pads to my nice, new Nikon SB600 flashgun. The cinch strap does an admirable job of attaching the diffusion hood to the flash, but it doubles the assembly time. The soft rubber triangular pattern on the underside of the strap grips the flash body very well, but doesn't lock it completely solid. It does get displaced slightly after a few mins of manhandling the camera. If you put the flash on a tripod, this is not a concern, but if you're hand-holding the camera and moving about a lot, it might be. I have bitten the bullet, stopped using the cinch strap and just stuck the 4 pieces of velcro to the flashgun now. Much quicker to set up and holds the diffuser more rigidly. A great accessory for LumiQuest flash modifiers. Use the LumiQuest Cinch Strap instead of the standard method of securing flash modifiers, (which is to attach small Velcro squares to your flash permanently). To use the strap, you simply wrap it around your flash first, then attach your accessory to the Velcro side of the Cinch Strap. The rubbing backing which touches your flash, grips enough to ensure that your flash modifier stays securely on your flash. You can remove the Cinch Strap at anytime and reuse it over and over. The Cinch Strap works with all LumiQuest flash modifiers and is highly recommended. Perfect for its application Works great. I see alot of people end up taping velcro to their flash because they dont like adding the task of taking this simple velcro piece off. Simple solution. Leave it on like the taped velcro you would put on. Plus with this you can take it off easily and your flash still looks awesome.

   

SP Studio Pro Mini Suction Cup Slave Strobe
From SP

Positions at any angle. Up to 260 flashes on fresh batteries.; Requires 2 AA's. 8 second recycle time.
Brand: SP Studio Systems Dimensions: .30 pounds

Great Flash for Digital cameras! Slave flashes are the best thing since sliced bread for taking good flash photos without a lot of technical stuff! Just put this flash where it will fill in some light, turn it on and take your flash shot as usual. The flash on the camera must be turned on, because that's what fires this slave flash. It doesn't mess up the exposure, but provides enough light that your photos loose a lot of the flat look that an on-camera flash provides. If you want to take photos of small objects to post on the internet, a couple of these on either side of the subject will help you make clear, professional looking photos. If taking photos indoors at a special occasion, you can leave the flash on, and pointed at a light colored wall, and it will work with other people's flash photos, too, improving the quality of the lighting for everyone. I also like that it takes AA batteries. If you go on vacation and your rechargeables die, you can always find someplace to buy some. When camping, I found them at the camp store. It's small and light to carry, too. I haven't used it a lot yet, but the results have been excellent so far! Slave Flash These really work. Just great with my Nikon D40. No complaints, and they are CHEAP too. UPDATE: I am now using three Nikon SB-600's in CLS remote control with the d80 and d300. These little slave flashes work fine along side them.

   

Sigma Electronic Flash EF-500 DG ST for Pentax SLR Cameras
From SIGMA

Electronic Flash EF-500 DG ST can be used with Sigma's and other manufacturers' AF 35mm SLR cameras and Digital SLR cameras. It has a maximum guide number of 165 in feet or 50 in meter at 105mm focal length (ISO 100). Projection angle of the flashlight is set automatically to match the lens' focal length ranging from 28mm wide-angle to 105mm medium-telephoto. It incorporates a wide panel that expands the angle of illumination that of a 17mm focal length lens.It enables full automatic flash photography by TTL automatic flash exposure control. It now includes S-TTL flash photography for Sigma, 3-D multi-sensor balanced fill flash function and i-TTL flash photography for Nikon, E-TTL II flash photography for Canon, ADI flash photography and P-TTL flash photography for Minolta.For bounce flash it can be tilted 90? upwards and 7? downward for close-ups. Also, it can be swiveled 180? to the left and 90? to the right. In addition manual flash can be set to full and 1/16 output levels in 2 steps. Covering focal length of the flashlight can be seen on the LED panel and the flash ready signal can be seen in the viewfinder. EF-500 DG ST incorporates auto power off system.
Brand: Sigma Model: F15109 Released on: 2006-05-04 Dimensions: 4.00" h x 5.50" w x 3.00" l, .71 pounds

Very Good TTL auto Flash. I really like the TTL feature on this flash. The head pivots 360 degrees and is able to bounce off walls or a ceiling. Took some great shots of a newborn while the camera was pointed downward and the flash bounced off the ceiling. The manual modes don't have enough information to be effective. The auto mode works so well that I can see why they never figured you would use the manual modes. Has a built in diffuser that is a little fragile (be carful) but works well. The power zoom is supposed to save batteries as long as you don't zoom in and out a lot. If so then it back fires and actually uses more power. You can overcome this issue by using the diffuser which disables the power zoom head on the flash. This flash was about half the price of the camera brand name equivalent. This flash can't be fired wirelessly so I bought a cheep slave for my other flash, an old Vivitar 2800D. They work perfectly together. Could get another salve and use the on camera flash to fire both of them. Sigma EF-500 Bought the flash and have used it for school and church functions. Performance is wonderful, I am still learning about how it works- but expect to use it for years. Great tool for the price.

   

Cameta Digital Slave Flash + Sunpak Grip Kit for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85, FX-150, LX3, FZ28, FX37, TZ50, FS7, FS15, FS25, FX48, FX580, TS1, ZS1, ZS3 Camera
From Cameta

Kit includes: 1) Cameta 2800 Automatic Electronic Flash; 2) Sunpak Digital Camera Slave Grip. >>> The Cameta 2800 Flash has two automatic power settings, a correct exposure verification indicator, a bounce head adjustable up to 90-degrees for soft lighting effects, and energy-saving thyristor circuitry for faster recycling and longer battery life. While most camera's built-in flash units are only effective from a distance of 8 to 12 feet, the Cameta 2800 Flash gives you the freedom to be more than four times farther away. With this much additional flash power, it's almost like having a bolt of lightning at your command. >>> The Sunpak Digital Slave Grip has a comfortable contoured hand-grip with quick-release camera platform and enables the use of the Cameta 2800 Flash as a wireless remote "slave" to complement your camera's built-in flash. The Digital Slave Grip can even be used off-camera with the 2800 Flash as a remote slave for more professional and creative lighting effects. >>> The built-in flashes of most digital cameras emit a "pre-flash" and/or a "red-eye" pulse that fires before the shutter opens, followed by an additional flash pulse which actually lights your picture. This "pre-flash" or "red-eye" pulse confuses other non-digital flash and slave units, causing them to go off at the wrong time, rendering them useless for your digital camera. But the advanced pulse-counting digital circuitry of the Sunpak Digital Slave Grip is not fooled by the "pre-flash." Five LED-indicated pulse-counting and delay-variations are incorporated into the Digital Slave Grip allowing it to ignore "pre-flashes" and fire the powerful 2800 Flash at the precise moment your camera requires. Set it up with your camera's built-in flash just once -- using our included easy-to-follow step-by-step directions -- and you are all set for noticeably better flash pictures from that moment on. >>> Requires a total of 8 AA batteries, available separately.
Amazon Sales Rank: #59136 in Camera & Photo Brand: Cameta

Inadequate sensor and cannot be used off-camera As an inexpensive slave flash attached to my FZ18 this product minimally worked. Note that the documentation states that in some cases the flash does not fire when attached to a camera (due to the sensor position). They state that you need to affix a white address label to the right side of your pop-up flash to reflect sufficient light to reach the slave's sensor and fire its flash. They even provide the product number of the Avery address label! The grip support bracket is made of flexible plastic and tends to oscillate after you touch it---affecting camera stability. The critical problem for me was that as an off-camera slave flash this product does not work. The sensor on the Sunpak grip is on the front of the grip. This means that the slave flash will only fire if the grip is facing you (ambient reflected light does not cause it to fire---even in a small room). Since the slave flash point of attachment to the grip does not allow rotation, off-camera use requires that the slave flash must be facing your camera in order to fire! In other words, the slave flash will usually not fire when the flash is facing your subject. The product does not provide for connection to a tripod. However, if you find a bolt and washer, you can jerry-rig a stable attachment. Once you get the slave flash mounted on a tripod, you are again constrained to have the slave flash facing you (not your subject). And, even when the slave flash and sensor *are* facing your on-board trigger flash, the sensor only responds at a distance of about 20 feet (indoors with low natural light). I have discovered that other slave flashes allow rotation so that the sensor can face the trigger flash but the slave flash can face your subject. I have also discovered that other slave flash sensors can be triggered at a much greater range. I returned this product.

   

Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
From Nikon

Includes Nikon SB800 AF Speedlight camera flash Quick Recycle Battery Pack SD800 for one R6 AA battery Speedlight Stand AS19 Colored Filter Set SJ800 (FLG1 and TNA1) Diffusion Dome SW10H Soft Case SS800.
Brand: Nikon Model: 4801 Dimensions: 2.80" h x 3.60" w x 5.00" l, .77 pounds

Why I chose the SB-800 over the SB-600 I won't repeat the wealth of information the other kind reviewers have already given. I'll just focus on why I decided to cough up the extra $100 to get the SB-800 instead of the less powerful SB-600. Compared to the SB-600, the SB-800 has the following extra features: 1) Much more powerful, as reflected in the GN. 2) Slightly faster recycle time with the standard four AA batteries. It also comes with a battery holder that holds a fifth battery which cuts down recycle time by 1/3 to 1/2. 3) The SB-800 has non-TTL auto and auto aperture modes. (More on this later.) 4) In wireless remote mode, the SB-800 can act both as the master and slave, whereas the 600 can only be a slave. 5) It comes with a useful diffusion dome, which won't even fit on the SB-600. 6) The SB-800 package also includes two colored gel filters. 7) The SB-800 can do repeating flash (in the same exposure), for a strobe effect. Basically, both the 600 and 800 support Nikon's latest flash technologies, i-TTL (supported by the D70 and D2H only) and CLS (creative lighting system), in addition to all the TTL (through the lens) flash modes Nikon introduced in the past. The 600 is really a prosumer-level flash that's either TTL or manual, whereas the 800 is pure pro-grade with a lot of modes and options. The manual, evidently written by a Japanese manual writer, attests to its sophistication; understanding the manual will really require a Ph.D. in yoga so you don't stress yourself out. The 800's auto modes are what won me over in the end. The auto modes can set the flash output automatically on Nikon bodies that do not support any TTL (through the lens) mode. On those bodies, with the 600 you'd have to resort to manual, which is simply a pain in the butt, not to mention prone to error. The two non-TTL auto modes on the 800 are auto aperture and auto. You'll need to study the manual very carefully to figure out the difference; I still haven't, but I'm already enjoying the auto aperture mode. The availability of auto modes also means the 800 can be used on a wide range of Nikon bodies than the simpler 600. If you are deciding between the 600 and the 800 like I was, ask yourself the following questions: 1) Do you have an extra $100-$150 to spend? If yes, the 800. 2) Do you plan to use the external flash a lot? If yes, the 800. 3) Do you have Nikon bodies (usually older manual ones) that do not support TTL (you can find out in the camera's user's guide)? If yes, the 800. 4) Do you plan to do a lot of wireless flash photography and take full advantage of Nikon's Creative Lighting System? If yes, the 800. 5) If you want to get a diffusion dome that fits the flash, get the 800. In the end, I think the SB-800 is a better long-term investment than the SB-600, despite the higher price. It's much more powerful and flexible, and even though it's an overkill for me right now, I imagine when my flash photography improves (and I'm trying very hard right now), it'll prove a very worthy investment. Feel free to drop me an e-mail at hotmail with any questions. BTW, if anyone knows of a good web forum that discusses how to use Nikon's flash modes and the CLS, please let us know. Thanks. Perfect flash for D100 I just recently bought this flash for my D100. My wife wanted me to take a bunch of photos of her grandmother's small antique objects - pieces of jade, little carvings on ivory, some vases, etc. I have never been happy with the D100's built-in flash, and my local camera shop suggested the SB-800 over several other Nikon models (after I told them I would also use it for photographing pets and some indoor photography while sightseeing). This flash is great. First of all, the color is natural... The photos I have been taking of jade, ivory, small glass objects, and even my pets (and my wife as a test subject) come out evenly exposed with no hot spots, especially when using the diffusion dome and pointing the flash up at the ceiling (when mounted on the camera, the flash can be turned, and tilted 90 degrees in about 10 degree increments). Second of all, it is FAST. It contains 4 AA batteries, with the option of adding a 5th in a small addition (so you can trade off between weight and recharge time). With all 5 batteries installed and fresh, it can keep pace with my camera's rate of 3 pictures a second for 5-6 flashes. After that, it needs less than a second to be ready to go again. Third of all, it makes using a flash brain-dead simple, At least attached to my D100 (and presumably the D70). It automatically adjusts itself based on the characteristics of my lens, the zoom, the distance to subject, backlighting, etc. I can still manually futz with settings if I want, but I don't have to to get a great shot. One accessory I would consider a 'must' for the flash is the 4 foot cable that lets you use it off-camera. Especially since my main purpose is to take photos of small objects, having side-lighting is crucial to bringing out the relief on things like carved jade. It doesn't come with the flash. Perfect Flash I bought this flash to use with my Nikon D70. I wanted a flash with plenty of power and flexibility, but smart enough to handle caluation of exposure when I just wanted to shoot. I was not disappointed. This flash works hand-in-glove with other elements of the Nikon system. When connected to the hot-shoe of my D70 the camera and flash instantly recognize each other. The default "TTL" mode (Through The Lens) gives consistantly well-exposed photos. If anything, the camera and flash tend to want to underexpose just a bit, but you can easily use the flash compensation to fix this. It appears that the Nikon folks are going for a more natural-light exposure, while I prefer a brighter picture. I usually set the flash to +2/3 and am always happy with the results. The SB-800 has many flash modes that can be used by the creative photographer for different situations. They include 2 TTL modes, auto-aperature mode, manual mode, and a repeating flash mode. The RPT mode lets you set the flash power and frequency in Hz and the flash repeatedly fires during the exposure. Great for experimentation. The flash head tilts to 90 degrees straight up, and swings completely around to 180 degrees - backwards. It has a red focus-assist lamp which works wonderfully. The SB-800 comes with a number of accessories that come at an additional price for many other flashes. An extra battery attachment is included, which decreases the flash recycle time. A flash diffuser dome is also included to give a softer lighting effect. Two light filters are included to match the flash to background lighting for more natural white balance settings. They even include a nice padded case. The Sb-800 takes 4 AA batteries, and you can use the optional battery case to add a fifth to decrease recycle time. The batteries last a long time - see the manual for the battery life that Nikon documents. I can go all day without recharging my 2300 ma AA's. This flash also has a number of wireless modes. When using the D70's internal flash as the "Commander" I can trigger the SB-800 and the camera and flash will communicate the exposure information back and forth with a series of brief flashes, then fire the exposure flash. It really works, and works well. The SB800 can also use a SU-4 remote mode, which will trigger the flash when it "sees" any other flash fire, so any camera could trigger it. This flash is not inexpensive, but it works wonders for the photographer who wants flexibility and good exposures. I now find myself wanting another one, to use in a wireless group and expand the flexibility. I recommend it without reservation.

   

Sigma EF-530 DG ST Electronic Flash for Sony DSLR
From Sigma Corporation


Brand: Sigma Model: B000UHIMQC Dimensions: 2.20 pounds
When there's insufficient or unsuitable light available to take a picture, it's of paramount importance to have a ready source of supplementary light to fulfill the need. That's where Sigma's EF-530 DG ST electronic flash comes into play. Designed exclusively for Sony digital SLR cameras, the flash offers a powerful guide number of 174 feet/53 meters and boasts the latest TTL automatic exposure system for easy operation. More significantly, the EF-530 DG ST is outfitted with a host of handy features, including an autozoom function that automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens' focal length (with a range from 24mm to 105mm), a confirmation "ready" light that indicates when the flashgun is fully charged, and an auto power-off function that automatically shuts off the display to save battery power. And users will love the tilting flashgun head, which users can tilt up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, to the right by 90 degrees, and down by 7 degrees, making it easy to perform a bounce flash. Plus, the flashgun features a manual flash mode in addition to the automatic mode, making it possible to set the flash power level to full or 1/16. Features: Autozoom function that automatically sets optimum illumination angle Covers a focal length from 24mm to 105mm A built-in wide panel that covers the 17mm angle A tilting flashgun head for bounce flash (up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, and to the right by 90 degrees) A down tilt angle of 7 degrees for close-up photography Runs on 4 AA alkaline or rechargeable ni-cad or NiMH batteries Measures 3 by 5.5 by 4.6 inches (W x H x D) Weighs 10.8 ounces 1-year warranty What's in the Box EF-530 DG ST flash for Sony cameras, soft case, hot shoe table stand, user's manual.
Returned to factory for repair after 3 days The flash under exposed in all pictures. Tried to use it on a Canon Rebel, 300D, and a Canon Rebel XT, 350D. Every picture was under exposed in full auto and programed mode on both cameras. Place where purchased stated that it needed to be sent to Sigma for warranty repair. Have not recieved the unit back from them yet. Good Choice A powerful flash, well priced alternative for the Sony Alpha system. I am getting good results at 60 foot plus distances even with 300mm focal lengths. Well worth the price. Powerful, great value. works with my Sony Alpha I'm not a prosumer or a pro photographer. I basically wanted something that's better than the the built in flash abut not spend big bucks. I have to say that this flash fits the bill. Great for all those "portrait" moments that you want to keep.

   

Sigma EF-530 DG ST Electronic Flash for Pentax and Samsung DSLR
From Sigma Corporation

Would you like to broaden your world of photographic expression by manipulating light in a simple way? The EF-530 DG ST is an easy-to-use flash that provides a large amount of light, featuring a guide number of up to 53/m (174/ft) w/ISO 100. Compatible with AF single-lens reflex cameras of all popular manufacturers, this flash unit allows fully automatic photography with automatic TTL exposure control. In addition to the automatic mode, it also provides two power levels in manual mode: full and 1/16 power. This electronic flash combines a wide array of functions with ease of handling, and includes an Autozoom function that automatically sets the optimum illumination angle between 24mm and 105mm, as well as offering bounce and swivel capability.
Amazon Sales Rank: #14749 in Camera & Photo Brand: Sigma Model: B000UHFRN8 Dimensions: .67 pounds
When there's insufficient or unsuitable light available to take a picture, it's of paramount importance to have a ready source of supplementary light to fulfill the need. That's where Sigma's EF-530 DG ST electronic flash comes into play. Designed exclusively for Pentax and Samsung digital SLR cameras, the flash offers a powerful guide number of 174 feet/53 meters and boasts the latest TTL automatic exposure system for easy operation. More significantly, the EF-530 DG ST is outfitted with a host of handy features, including an autozoom function that automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens' focal length (with a range from 24mm to 105mm), a confirmation "ready" light that indicates when the flashgun is fully charged, and an auto power-off function that automatically shuts off the display to save battery power. And users will love the tilting flashgun head, which users can tilt up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, to the right by 90 degrees, and down by 7 degrees, making it easy to perform a bounce flash. Plus, the flashgun features a manual flash mode in addition to the automatic mode, making it possible to set the flash power level to full or 1/16. Features: Autozoom function that automatically sets optimum illumination angle Covers a focal length from 24mm to 105mm A built-in wide panel that covers the 17mm angle A tilting flashgun head for bounce flash (up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, and to the right by 90 degrees) A down tilt angle of 7 degrees for close-up photography Runs on 4 AA alkaline or rechargeable ni-cad or NiMH batteries Measures 3 by 5.5 by 4.6 inches (W x H x D) Weighs 10.8 ounces 1-year warranty What's in the Box EF-530 DG ST flash for Pentax and Samsung cameras, soft case, hot shoe table stand, user's manual.
Returned to factory for repair after 3 days The flash under exposed in all pictures. Tried to use it on a Canon Rebel, 300D, and a Canon Rebel XT, 350D. Every picture was under exposed in full auto and programed mode on both cameras. Place where purchased stated that it needed to be sent to Sigma for warranty repair. Have not recieved the unit back from them yet. Good Choice A powerful flash, well priced alternative for the Sony Alpha system. I am getting good results at 60 foot plus distances even with 300mm focal lengths. Well worth the price. Powerful, great value. works with my Sony Alpha I'm not a prosumer or a pro photographer. I basically wanted something that's better than the the built in flash abut not spend big bucks. I have to say that this flash fits the bill. Great for all those "portrait" moments that you want to keep.

   

LumiQuest - Instant On-Camera Soft Screen Diffuser
From LumiQuest

LumiQuest"s Soft Screen Diffuser. This diffuser is designed for the built-in pop-up flash of many digital cameras and 35mm SLRs. This device serves to diffuse, distribute and redirect the light for more precisely illuminated subjects under a variety of circumstances. Softens Harsh Shadows Reduces Hot Spots Attaches in Seconds Fits Most Popular Cameras Application: Pop-Up Flash Diffuser.
Brand: LumiQuest Model: LQ-051D Dimensions: 4.00" h x .10" w x 4.00" l, .10 pounds

Not so good on Nikon D80 Looking at the reviews some love this and some find it so-so. I think the real difference in experience depends on your camera. The Nikon D80 built-in flash juts forward more than the flash on the camera shown. The result is that the flash is pushed right up against the diffuser screen. If the screen was further from the flash, I am sure it would work better. As it is, this does not really work well for my Nikon D80. However, for my older 35mm SLR, a Nikon N70, this works well because there is sufficient distance between the flash and the screen. Bottom line: If you have a Nikon D80, this will not help much. A MUST HAVE!!! What a great product. I purchase this item before I went on a weekend trip to visit a friend and the pictures came out perfect. If you have a slr camera and you can control the flash output, this is a must have. I was gonna buy an external flash for my olympus E-500, but after purchasing this item I've changed my mind. I only wanted the external flash to bounce the light off the ceiling to have a more natural look. I really didn't need the zoom feature of the flash gun. I just wanted pleasing light for the typical family picture. I must say, after experimenting with this diffuser, I no longer need the speedlight. All my indoor photos are come out great. Check out my group picture. I had my camera set to Shutter priority mode: 1/20 sec, F.No. 3.6, Flash: 2nd curtain slow sync, flash exp: + 2.0 at ISO 100. My lens was set at 16.0 mm from about ten feet away. I increase the flash exposure to try to illuminate as much of the scene as I could. I think it came out good, almost like I bounced the flash off of the ceiling. I use the slow snyc 2nd curtain so i could capture the light coming off of the lamp. Please comment if this helped your decision. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! What a very disappointing product I'm glad that I didn't spend much on this diffuser for my built-in flash for my D80. This product not only diffused the flash, but also eliminated its effectiveness overall. Rather than getting some sort've soft light effect with this diffuser, I ended up getting underexposed shots (even with the flash strength boosted up to 1.0+). Thanks to the mediocre results I got from this product, I managed to just stick with my SB-400 in conjunction with an omnibounce diffuser. The pictures advertising this product look better than the product that you actually get. What you get is a plasticky/flimsy piece of material with velcro stickers to help attach it to your camera. Very disappointing indeed.

   

MS-1 Wireless Flash Booster / Slave
From Quantaray




Size Matters!!! I have purchased four of the Ms 1 flash boosters and find them a God send!!! I really used them two days ago for shooting several portraits at a college and I must say I was impressed and relieved...I can take these little guys with me anywhere and not have to haul my studio lights. I was fooling around with them the other day and was able to set them off at a good 50 feet..Have rechargeable batteries and you will do fine...I shoot with a D2x and have no problems.... Great little flash for the money! I recently bought 2 more of these flashes to add to my collection. I find that if you diffuse the flash with a piece of a white walmart bag these flashes give great light. I have even used two of these in a softbox and gotten great results. My favorite part is they are cordless and easy to take on location. I have even been able to use them outdoors. These flashes also seem very reliable as I have had two of them for 3 years now. I use these flashes with a Canon S3IS in manual mode with no problem. Excellent portable studio I shoot with a digital SLR, several lens and sometimes studio strobes with umbrellas, stands, backgrounds, etc. But these little things make life much simpler and lighter for on the go and spontaneous portrait work. I bought 2 and now I am ordering 3 more. These are perfect for portraits, painting interiors, close-ups (get a small light tent) and even newswork.

   

Promaster 5050DXR Module for CANON
From Promaster

PROMASTER 5050DXR Digital modules allow for seamless operation with the advanced features of your digital camera*. Features include an infrared focusing assist lamp to help you get sharp crisp pictures in low light. The DX Series Digital modules work only with the PROMASTER 5750DX, 5550DX, and 5250DX digital flashes and are not backwards compatible to other 5000 series flash units. This latest series of PROMASTER's advanced digital modules also incorporates the ability to upgrade the firmware to help ensure long and reliable service from your PROMASTER flash. *Features are limited to those supported by your particular camera model.


Important Information This is not a review of how well this product functions but instead is an important message to potential buyers. For newer Canon cameras such as the 7D, the firmware on this product must first be upgraded in order for the module to work properly with the newer EOS cameras. If the module is not upgraded, it will be useless (flash will not fire with the shutter but will suddenly do so on its own three seconds later). There is no way to know in advace if the product ordered has had the firmware upgraded. Therefore, I would suggest contacting the seller directly and verifying that their stock has been properly upgraded before placing an order. Once I receive an upgraded module that works, I will review the performance of this module and Promaster 5750DX flash on the Canon 7D. Update (11/28): I received a correctly upgraded module. Upgraded modules should have a sticker with an upgrade date on them. The flash now responds correctly, however, the module and the 5750 flash do not work together as a unit properly. It's the same problem situation I had with this flash (and different module) on the K20 Pentax: some flashes are very weak and sometimes the flash does not even fire. With the 7D, the problem now is more the rule than the exception. No mater how long you let the flash recharge, the next flash is likely to be dim. You can do a bunch of rapid discharges of dim flashes a second apart and then all of a sudden there's a normal flash. It must be a defective 5750 flash unit since the same type of problems occured with another module on another camera. Flash photography takes on a whole different character when you have to retake a shot several times. Lesson learned is for reliable performance probably best to stick with a flash unit that's the same brand as the camera.

   

Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight Flash + 8 Batteries & Charger + Bounce Reflector + i-TTL Flash Cord + Stroboframe 350 Bracket for Nikon D5000, D3000, D700, D300s, D300, D200, D90, D60 & D40 Digital SLR Cameras
From Cameta

Provide your camera with plenty of power with
Amazon Sales Rank: #6238 in Camera & Photo Brand: Cameta

Great Deal The benefit of this package from Cameta is that it's a little bit of everything that you need. Between the Flash unit, an SB-600 which is a great stand alone flash, but is capable of being upgraded by an SB-800 or SB-900 whichever price bracket suits your fancy. It provides great lighting both bounced and direct. The Stroboframe and i-TTL cord are worth their weights in gold if you ask me. The stroboframe is lightweight, easy to attach, and easy to use. With just a push, you keep the flash above the lens, for when you switch from landscape to portrait. The cord simply allows the camera to communicate with the flash while it is being used off camera. Lastly, Cameta is kind enough to give you 8 batteries and a charger, to keep you flash flashing. In short, a great package. flash starter kit simple starter flash kit, shipping was prompt as usual. The sb600 performs as it should and as i expected the extra batteries have come in very handy for those long photo shoots. The flash bracket is very easy to use and helps produce awesomely lit photographs without the harsh direct light. The Flash cord has also come in handy when i want to have the light coming from another direction other than directly on the camera. The flash bounce reflector is only useful when your subject is further away it directs the light and spreads it a lot more than the flash itself. All in all this was a great buy and helps in producing well lit photographs.

   

QDA-CAF Flash Module for Canon EOS Auto Focus
From Quantaray

This accessory flash module mates with the Quantaray QB-6500A, QTB-7500A or QTB-9500A flash bodies to form a complete flash. This model is for use on Canon auto-focus cameras


performs as expected Not the most glamorous gadget in my camera bag this adapter lets my great old quantaray qtb-9500a keep on working after 5 slrs. Unlike a lot of dedicated flashes, this system allows a choice of full ttl, full power, and 1/16 power manual, great options when using the dual head flash in bounce mode. When bracket mounted this system can rival studio lighting for a fraction of the cost and weight. Plus just by buying an inexpensive adapter like this you can use the same flash on different brands.

   

Precision Design DSLR300 Universal High Power Auto Flash with Zoom/Bounce/Swivel Head for Pentax K-7 K-X K20D K200D K2000 K10D K100D K110D Digital SLR Cameras
From Precision Design

This universal
Amazon Sales Rank: #2895 in Camera & Photo Brand: Precision Design

love it Just got it last night for my Pentax k2000. Of course, I had to use it to see if it makes a difference. This is a great value if you are trying go get into flash photgraphy. My pictures were beautifully lighted. I used to use my on camera flash and all I can say is yuck. Good product for the money. DSLR 300 review for my Pentax K2000 I would recommend the DSLR300 to anyone who wants a great value for their bucks...It was all worth it and more... Thank you, James (NASA Glenn Research Center) This arrived in excellent condition and on time This fit our old Minolta K1000 SLR camera even though it says it is for a digital (DLSR) camera. We needed it asap and the flash arrived on time and in excellent working condition. We just had to add the batteries and the camera. It comes with a small wire used for remote lighting when needed. That worked as well.

   

Holga Manual Shoe Mount Flash with a GN of 22'
From Holga

This all-manual compact light-weight flash features a a hot shoe with a locking ring and a constant guide number of 22 ft. It is designed for the Holga 120S camera, but may also be used with other manual cameras.


Total Battery Melter I managed to get one photo and a few test flashes out of this product and then the batteries inside burst open and basically destroyed the unit. Not sure if I was supposed to get a special kind of batteries or what, but certainly not worth the money. The one photo that I did take turned out quite nice though... Cheap, Plastic Flash --- Really nice results This flash, being used with a Holga 120N doesn't do anything more than is advertised. For the price though, it is a great product. It fired on time, every time and works surprisingly well in closer distances. Cheap and flimsy Bought this item only to have it keep shorting the batteries, making them hot and leak. Happened to me with two sets of batteries. Tried to figure out where the short was when a battery connection tab snapped off. I would not recommend if you want reliable.

   

Elinchrom EL 19352 Skyport Universal Receiver for Most Flash Heads
From Elinchrom

The Skyport Universal Receiver is compatible with Elinchrom and any other studio and battery flash brands. Attaching it to a flash device will allow that device to be wirelessly triggered using the Skyport Transmitter (Sold Separately) which fits securely in the hotshoe of your camera. Skyport Universal Receiver’s internal, rechargeable Li-Ion battery provides approximately 30 hours of operation. To maximize battery life, the Auto-Standby function activates if the unit is not used for 4 hours. The Skyport Universal Receiver can be charged while in operation. The status LED shows charge and operating modes.
Color: Black Brand: Elinchrom Model: EL 19352 Dimensions: 1.25 pounds

pretty darned good Though members of my local Flickr group recommended Pocket Wizards, one accomplished photographer pointed me towards this more reasonably priced alternative. Functionally, it works and it works really well. I have no complaints. Ergonomically, it could use some help. The push-button for power makes it easy to accidentally turn the unit on and run down the power accidentally. Inconsistencies between the transmitter and receiver ergonomics make it painfully obvious that the controls were a mere afterthought. Also inconsistencies between how the battery is handled (replaceable but non-rechargeable on the transmitter, rechargeable but non-replaceable in the receiver) leave me scratching my head further about what the engineers were thinking. Still, it's a lot less than the Pocket Wizards and for model shoots and portraiture it works just fine. Excellent and Reliable Product For the Price This is an excellent product if you want something as reliable as other high end wireless systems on the market. I have both the transmitter and receiver to use during photoshoots. It is so reliable that I take it out confidently on my paid shoots. It is easy to use, and in my tests has 100% reliability firing. No misfires at all. Great product for the price! Pretty good, but needs a little work. Great for the money. I decided to buy these rather than the pocket wizards because of the price. Ultimately, i'm glad I did. They're not perfect, but neither are the PWs. My biggest issue is with the on-off switch. I'd much rather it be an actual switch rather than a button, and sometimes the button takes a few pushes to turn them on. I always manage to get them going without any problem, and part of me likes this issue because it helps prevent accidental turn-ons, but I'm always a bit nervous that one time it won't turn on. Also, when my battery is dead, I can't tell if the switch is acting up, or if I need to recharge them. Regarding the build, it seems solid enough. Some people don't like the antenna, but I don't mind it. It seems durable enough. I haven't had any misfires issues at all. I also like that they're much smaller than the PWs. All in all, I say it's a better buy than the PWs because of the drastically lower price.

   

CameraBright X1-R Black
From CameraBright, Inc.

- Compose your pictures in low or no-light situations - Connects to tripod mount of virtually every camera or camcorder - Helps to reduce redeye - Added light will improve your videos and movies in low light situations - Excellent for macro photography - Improves auto-focus assist - Single button ON/OFF with auto shut off (approx. 5 min.) - White LEDs with 20 year life - 4 hours of continuous use - 4 CR2032 batteries (included) - Will not interfere with your existing flash
Brand: CameraBright Model: CBX1-R Black Dimensions: .63" h x 1.50" w x 2.50" l, .13 pounds

Cheap Plastic Wow, where do I begin with this one? The thread is made of plastic and it broke off in my tripod mount! I was lucky that it was not screwed in tight and could coax it out with a tiny screwdriver. The light produced by the LED's is in the blue range, and blinding to anything looking in the cameras general direction. If that was not bad enough, the pictures come out overexposed and dead looking. Do not recommend!

   

LumiQuest ProMax Pocket Bouncer
From LumiQuest

The Pocket Bouncer enlarges and redirects light at a 90? angle from the flash to soften the quality of light and distribute it over a wider area. While no exposure compensation is necessary with automatic flashes, operating distances are somewhat reduced.
Brand: LumiQuest Model: LQ-101 Dimensions: .20 pounds

A Little Bounce Goes A Long Way I have a Canon 430EX flash unit and I wanted to be able to add some bounce ability and control, with or without a ceiling present. Then it also depends on the height of the ceiling that is present. This intelligent little unit unfolds and attachs to Velcro(tm), hook-n-loop fastened around the flash head. I purchased the LUMIQUEST Cinch Strap - Easily attach and remove flash bounce as I did not want to attach the double sticky-back Velcro(tm) directly to my flash unit. The Cinch Strap takes care of that and works like a champ. This unit folds nicely for inserting a space the size of a small camera (read Canon S5 IS) and installs in seconds and allows one to go from shooting with the flash unit head in a direct vertical position down to a few angles below directly vertical. It bounces light well and works great with the TTL features of the Canon 430EX and Canon camera. It works to soften light and to soften shadows. It gets a great THUMBS UP!! from me. Great Product Bought the Pocket Bouncer specifically for a wedding I was shooting, and was very happy with the results. It fits perfectly on my Canon Speedlite 430ex Flash. Very easily folds up and stores in the pocket of my camera bag. A must for anyone shooting with a mounted flash. Portable and Useful This product does a surprisingly good job spreading the light from my SB400 flash. I really like that it folds flat, so it can fit anywhere, even in my pocket!

   

DMKFoto Pivot Flash Mount Bracket for 35mm and DSLR Camera
From FalconEyes

We have mounted a camera, a speedlight and sync cord to demonstrate how this product is used. The camera, speedlight and the sync connection are not part of this auction..This bracket comes with a adjustable shoe mount to accommodate different speedlights and /flashes. You may remove the shoe to mount a dedicated sync/shoe mount to the arm as demonstrated here.This bracket fits all Digital SLR, as well as 35mm film cameras like Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Olympus, Kodak, Pentax, etc.This Quick Flip Flash bracket has a pivoting flash arm that keeps the flash over the lens in both horizontal and vertical positions. It has a comfortable foam grip and a tripod mountable base.
Amazon Sales Rank: #70873 in Camera & Photo Brand: DMKFoto Model: 35mm Flash Bracket

DMKFoto Pivot Flash Mount could be better The bracket over all works just fine and has a nice foam grip. However attaching it to my camera was not a pleasant experience. I had to use my own screw to attach my flash to the bracket because the one they included was too short. Also there is no way to use the bracket and a tripod at the same time. This became annoying!

   

Metz MZ 58312OP 58 AF-1USB On Camera Flash for Olympus and Panasonic Four Thirds Cameras (Black)
From Metz

Sleek in appearance, this flash throws light in the areas where you need it! Created by on of the leading industry designers in Germany. Equipped with innovative developments, the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital offers cutting edge secondary reflector technology, high-performance energy management, the latest generation of multi-zone AF measurement flash, a reflector system fully capable of swiveling, current special functions, USB interface for updating software via the Internet and much more. The new Metz top-of-the-line model is available as an ideal complement for Canon (58 AF-1 C digital) or for Nikon camera (58 AF-1 N digital). Due to its high GN of 191 (ft.) at ISO 100/21 and 105 mm focal length, the 58 AF-1 digital is not only especially powerful but also can be used for indirect flash lighting to great effect. For the first time Metz integrated a reflector card that can be flipped open into its vertically tilting and horizontally swiveling reflector. In addition the "Bounce diffuser 54-23" is available as an optional accessory. Using the integrated secondary reflector, additional brilliance can be achieved with this flash technology in close-up areas. The high-performance power pack P 76 (purchased separately) can also be used with the 58 AF-1 digital, for clearly increased flash output and reduced flash recycle time. This flash power is available for all types of use in connection with e V 58 cable.
Color: Black Brand: Metz Model: MZ 58312OP Dimensions: 1.60 pounds

An Excellent Accessory Flash This is an excellent accessory flash to the Olympus professional system. By accessory I mean that it provides some signifcant additional features that may be useful. But, there is no reason buy one of the Metz 58 or the smaller Metz 48 in place of the Olympus FL-50R or FL-36R. The reasons to consider the Metz 58 AF-1 for Olympus are because: 1. It provides somewhat greater power. 2. The secondary flash provides read eye reduction when the primary flash is in either direct or bounce positions. 3. The modeling light function is useful with live view. 4. The strobe light function has specialized applications. The build quality is comparable to the Olympus FL-50R. The LCD is not as easy to read as the Olympus and the menu and function system is not easy to use. The lens focal length display is not as accurate as with Olympus flashes and flash coverage needs to be confirmed through system tests. (And, yes the Metz is set to work in four-thirds mode.) The Metz has the same number of groups (A, B, C) and 4 channels as Olympus. (Firmware Version 2.0) I happen to be a serious user of the Olympus system and the Remote Control flash system. The flash part of my system currently includes the Olympus Ring and Twin flashes, 1 FL-50, 2 FL-36, 2 FL-20, 2 FL-50R, 3 FL-36R, for use on my E-3 and E-520 along with some other Olympus cameras. I use the Metz when one of its additional features are needed. I still need to check the precision of the Metz exposure relative to the Olympus flashes. A Great Flash But... This was the first flash I purchased for my first DSLR (Olympus E-520). I feel it achieves excellent results and I enjoy using its RC features. The ONLY issue I have with this flash unit is that the menu system is rather complicated, especially in comparison to my Olympus FL50R. If you can quickly learn the menu system of this flash and its features then I can recommend this as a first choice. If you want an excellent comparable (in my opinion) flash with an easier menu system, check out the Olympus FL50r. Otherwise, this flash serves as a great addition to your camera bag. I own one Metz 58 and one Olympus FL50R Not designed for four thirds sensors I've been shopping for an external flash for my GH1 and had narrowed it down to the Metz 58 (this one), the Metz 48, and the Olympus FL-50R. All had excellent reviews and quick recycle times. I was about to pull the trigger on the Metz 58 (this flash), when I learned that the Metz's are originally designed for a 2:3 format sensor (eg., full frame or aps-c). To obtain proper coverage on a 4:3 format sensor such as a Panasonic G1/GH1/GF1 or Olympus EP-1, they must use a lower focal length than the camera is set at, which reduces the power of the flash and also means that it uses more battery per flash and it can't cover an ultrawide lens when used for direct flash. So this Metz 58 AF really has a guide number of 46 when used with an Olympus or Panasonic camera, which is a lot lower than advertised. [...]. For this reason, I choose the Olympus FL50R instead -- it's less expensive, more powerful for a 4:3rds sensor, and has a simpler user interface.

   

Sunpak PF20XD Digital Camera Auto Flash with Braket
From Sunpak

Sunpak¿s Digital Camera Auto Flash with Braket is compatible with digital cameras triggered by wireless auto flash. Built-in wide angle diffuser for more than 24mm and uses 3 AA NiMH batteries. Sunpak is one of the world's largest manufacturers of electronic flash equipment. It has earned a reputation for advanced technical achievement and superior quality. Sunpak electronic flashes are produced for professionals, advanced amateurs, enthusiasts, and casual photographers. They are designed to work with today's auto focus cameras having dedicated flash capabilities. All Sunpak flash units offer advanced features, which provide the widest range of creative control. They are supported by a wide spectrum of system accessories, such as dedicated modules, filters, adapters, batteries and more.
Brand: SunPak Model: PF20XD Dimensions: 2.00" h x 4.00" w x 6.00" l, .45 pounds

fantastic little flash for the money For $46 I paid it's a steal. It's small, light, reasonably powerful (you don't need a mighty flash when you can put it very close to your subject). Its optical slave mode works very reliably, I use a mixture of flashes including CLS flashes in manual mode and these marvels. Thins I like: - cheap - light - built-in optical slave - manual power 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 is set via rotation. great! - built-in diffuser - did I say cheap? Thins I don't like: - the site as well as the manual claims 2*AA batteries but in fact it's 2*AAA which is very unfortunate - plastic hot-shoe will break eventually. maybe not that important since you can tape this flash to anything - no easy way to mount a gel/filter. I ended up taping it to the flash body

   

Intova Waterproof Slave Flash
From Intova

A versatile slave flash designed for multiple purposes. The kit includes the slave flash, a waterproof housing (175 feet), mounting brackets for land and water use, flex arm, 3 flash diffusers and spare O-rings. An optional fiber optic cable is also available. This compact flash will work with most digital cameras as well as film cameras. System flexibility and ease of use make this a great accessory!!
Brand: Intova Model: PX21 Dimensions: 2.30" h x 2.30" w x 2.30" l, 1.34 pounds

Intova Underwater Flash I purchased this flash to accompany my Intova Camera for a planned dive trip to Honduras. The unit worked as expected. Easy to use with pretty good power economy. The flash uses 2 AAA batteries and I only changed them once during a 400 picture trip. The unit has 3 syncing modes and 3 power/intensity modes. The armature and mount are pretty beefy and I had no problems with them. The only down side to the unit was my inability to diffuse the light. I finally solved this with a white plastic bag and a rubber band. Compared to some other more spendy flashes I am very satisfied. Helps avoid shadow of the camera's housing This little slave unit helps overcome a shadow cast by the camera strobe when taking close ups when the camera is in the housing, and gives the camera a little more reach. A useful addition, but I did sometimes have trouble getting to trigger. It might be because I had the optical cable attachment attached which does restrict the standard back flash from triggering the slave. Intova Flash This product performed well during snorkeling shooting. Using rechargeble batteries and using fully charged batteries before each dive is recommended.

   

Sunpak Digital Camera Flash Adapter
From Sunpak

While ToCAD is a name most people won't recognize immediately the products it markets are very well known. Sunpak electronic flash units, video lights, camcorder batteries and cellular batteries, Sunpak photo and video tripods and different accessories, Zero Halliburton aluminum photo/video and computer cases, and GE/Sanyo lithium batteries. All are names photo enthusiasts and professionals respect and rely upon for high quality and great value.
Brand: SunPak Model: DIGI-ADAPT Dimensions: 1.30" h x 6.50" w x 8.80" l, .25 pounds
The Sunpak Digital Camera Flash Adapter is designed to let you use almost any existing shoe-mount flash with virtually any compact digital and film camera that has a built-in flash--even those with no flash shoe. The Sunpak Digital Camera Flash Adapter has its own padded bracket and ergonomically contoured grip with built-in slave trigger. The slave sensor has 5 LED-indicated, button-selected mode settings, enabling it to synchronize with cameras using a wide variety of pre-flash and multiflash red-eye-reduction systems. By using an existing shoe-mount flash with your compact digital or film camera, you can extend its flash capability, and take pictures at greater distances with lower ISO settings and often at wider angles, than is possible with the small built-in flash. The adapter's bracket attaches easily to any camera having a standard 1/4 x 20" tripod socket, and you can leave the flat bracket in place and detach the lock-on grip section for easier carrying. The adapter, which is powered by four alkaline AA or Sunpak Ni-MH batteries in the grip, also features power-saving circuitry that turns the unit off after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Sunpak Digiadapt Digital Camera Flash Adapter I have owned the Digiadapt for a few months, used with an Olympus Camedia D-535 camera and a Sunpak 383 flash unit. I have been disappointed with the Digiadapt unit and would not recommend it except for unusual cases where it might fit in. The problem that comes up with the very nice small digital cameras is the weak flash, close to the lens, that cannot be aimed. These small digital cameras take great pictures in good lighting conditions, like outside in daytime. Indoors or at night you must use the flash. The built in flash is weak, and won't reach out much more than about 5 feet. The flash is close to the lens, giving a lot of red-eye. The flash can't be aimed to use bounce and give a more natural look. Users of these cameras start looking for a more powerful flash that can be aimed, or at least set off a little way from the lens. They find, of course, no hot shoe for a flash, and no socket to plug a flash unit in with a cord. Why the manufacturers wouldn't at least give a flash sync socket on at least some models, I don't know. It wouldn't take up a lot of space or add weight, but anyway, unless you have a camera with a hot shoe, there is no way to hook up an accessory flash unit. That is where a slave adapter comes in. The slave adapter "sees" (senses) the built in flash from the camera and triggers an accessory flash unit hooked up to the hot shoe of the adapter. It seems that it is a little more difficult than just this because the digital cameras commonly use one or more "pre-flashes" to gather data and adjust settings, then the real flash comes at the time of the picture. If you have a simple slave unit, it will flash with the first pre-flash, then when the right time comes a few millisecond later, at the time of the real flash, the accessory flash won't fire, and so the accessory flash doesn't help light the shot. To solve this, the digital camera slave manufacturer will program the slave unit to ignore one or more "pre-flashes" and then trigger the accessory flash on the 2nd or 3rd or 4th flash it sees, instead of the first one. The Digiadapt is adjustable in 5 discrete modes, which adjusts how many flashes are ignored before triggering the accessory flash unit. Which mode you are in is indicated by LED lights on the back of the unit. There is no table that I have found that tells you what mode to use with what camera. You figure this out by shooting a series of trial shots and seeing what seems to work best. The unit is an L-shaped bracket, with a mounting screw on the horizontal arm of the L for the camera. The vertical arm of the L is a battery compartment and integral grip with a hot shoe at the top for the accessory flash, and the sensor for the flash on the top front of the unit. Holding this assembly with the camera and flash attached is really very comfortable and "natural." The grip is nice, and makes holding a relatively heavy flash head easy. The assembly looks nice. The unit takes 4 AA batteries, and just as a casual observance, it seems to use up the batteries quicker than what I expected it to. If the unit is off, there is a 5-10 second delay after it is turned on before it is ready to go. The problem with this otherwise very nice unit is that it will not fire the accessory flash reliably, when used in this mode attached to the camera. The system depends on enough of the flash reflecting back from nearby objects in front of the camera to the sensor on the front of the digiadapt. If you are in a small room with light colored walls, enough flash bounces back to the sensor to make the slave flash pretty reliable, but not 100%. Outside of this situation, i.e. outside, in a large room, or a room with dark colored walls, the sensor doesn't get enough bounceback light from the flash to work, and just is not usable. This inability to work as it seems to have been designed for is why I could not recommend it. I noticed that another reviewer had mentioned not having the adapter on the camera, but having the adapter and accessory flash mounted on a tripod separate from the camera. That you could make work, if you placed the Digiadapt fairly close to the camera, but off to the side enough to be not in the picture, and pointed the sensor at the camera, so it "sees" the flash from the camera. The Digiadapt doesn't have the capability of turning or tilting the hot shoe, but many flash units I think do have the capability of turning and tilting, so you could have the sensor pointed back at the camera, and the accessory flash pointed however you wanted it. But setting up the Digiadapt on a separate tripod seems to me to be something you could really do only in a studio type situation. For this type of setup, the Digiadapt could actually work pretty well, I think. I have tried holding the camera and the Digiadapt separately, holding the Digiadapt out at arms length, with the sensor aimed back at the camera, out of the angle of the picture, and been able to get that to work fairly well, but this arrangement is too unwieldy to really use. I haven't had the opportunity to try the Digiadapt with other camera models, or to try other slave adapaters. I hope this review may be of some use to interested readers. Works for me! I needed something like this because I had several old flashes laying around from my 35mm days. Nothing wrong with them, and I didn't want to pay the price for a dedicated flash for my Minolta Z3. The first thing I noticed when I got the adapter was that all the other reviews were correct about how chintzy it was made. Very flexible, so much that I wouldn't have trusted it to keep my camera off the floor. So the first thing I did was reinforce the handle with some aluminum and epoxy. That took care of the flex. I also found that other camra flashes would trip the slave. No big deal to fix that, I just put my index finger over the sensor until I am ready to shoot. As mentioned in earlier reviews, the sensor relies on reflected light to work, if you are outside without something in front of you, the slave may not trip. I fixed that by trimming some of the plastic that surrounds the sensor. Then I made a little reflector that clips onto the right side of the on camera flash. It throws just enough light on the sensor that I haven't had a single misfire in over a couple hundred outdoor night shots. After these easy mods, I'm very happy with adapter, although I would have gladly paid three times as much as I did for a unit that was better built than this. It's cheap, it works As an earlier reviewer mentioned, keep your expectations realistic for this device with its low price point, and it will fill the bill. I'm using an old Canon Speedlite 188A flash unit with the adapter, and it works reliably under controlled conditions -- my main usage is for taking portraits. I have the adapter screwed onto a tripod (you'll need to find a wingnut or hex nut plus a washer to clamp it down tight) and I set this up off to the side anywhere from 2ft to 10ft away from the digital camera to get a range of lighting effects. Pointed at the ceiling, you can get a nice bounce flash for even lighting. I discovered that I can mount the flash either forwards or backwards on the hot shoe to give me greater flexibility in sensor placement. For just a few bucks, I've improved the lighting of my digital pictures immeasurably.

   

Flashes
By Rebecca Medearis

You have just arrived in Glacier Springs, Idaho. A sparkling necklace of a river winds its way through the town as it rests in the cleavage of the mountains. Carly is trying to get it right this time. She tries to help a troubled teen. She tries to straighten out her love life. She tries to be make sense of a nightmare stuck on repeat. Carly could fall on her face without a log to trip over. Just when she pulls herself back up, her family throws a really big tree in her path. Her friends make for a colorful cast of characters from her fatherly boss to a best friend with a potty mouth. She has to figure out what her nightmare is telling her and how to make love stay. Carly will get it right this time.

About the Author I grew up in the midwest and moved to my mountains twenty years ago. I have been a guest teacher of creative writing at the local high school and wrote a humurous column for the weekly paper several years ago. My three grown kids and a sweet boyfriend keep me smiling but when I do have the occasional rainy day, I just look out my window. I am a very lucky girl.
Randy&Corinne Senne I thought the book was very good and highly recomend it to everyone to read it. It keeps you very interested in whats gonna happen next.It is a hard book to put down for any length of time with out picking it back up to see what else is gonna happen. She has a way making you feel like you are part of the characters. It is very refreshing book to read I would like to read some more books by this author. If a person does not read this book they are missing out on a very good peice of reading material. Flasher I found Rebecca Medearis writing to capture you and hold your attention from the first chapter. She brought out the area of Idaho to the point that I felt I had grown up there. The trials and tribulations that Carly went through were sad at times and humorous at others. Carly was warm and sensitive one momemt and rough and tough the next. She had a mouth on her that would curl you hair. The characters in the book came to life as if you knew them or wanted to meet them. I will be looking forward to the next book! Keep up the writing Rebecca Medearis! Vivian Adams Loved This Book I absolutely loved this book. It held me in anticipation of each coming sentence. I was not bored for an instant. The writers descriptive witticisms are exceptional. It is a story with tumultuous emotions that everyone can identify with. A life story of friendships, family conflicts, unquited love, tragedy and hummor. This book has it all. It drew me in and didn't let me me go until the end. I hope this author will have a new book out shortly. I am definetly on the waiting list.

   

Olympus FL-14 Flash for Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera
From Olympus

The FL-14 is an easy-to-operate external flash with a design that matches the E-P1. With an equivalent GN (Guide Number) of 14, you can accomplish flash shooting with stable light and optimum brightness. Compatible with all Olympus DSLR and point-&-shoot cameras equipped with integrated hot shoes.A stylish metal finish of the optional FL-14 flash gives the camera a retro-look reminiscent of the classic Olympus Pen F. The FL-14 matches perfectly to the external design of the E-P1 and it expands the oppertunities not only under low light conditions, but gives also creative options in nearly every situation. The Fl14 is optimized for use with Micro Four Thirds camera models, such as the Olympus PEN E-P1. Guide number 14 (ISO 100) Use two AAA batteries (recommended - alkaline or NiMH rechargeable)
Brand: Olympus Model: FL-14 Flash Dimensions: .40 pounds
The FL-14 is an easy-to-operate external flash with a design that matches the E-P1. With an equivalent GN (Guide Number) of 14, you can accomplish flash shooting with stable light and optimum brightness.
Retro-styled flash, but weak! The flash looks good on the E-P1 Olympus PEN camera, but it's pretty weak for an external flash. Okay, that said, if you like the look and feel for the PEN system, here is your flash. Do enjoy. It's as good or better than most point and shoot camera flashes but is small and dim compared to full sized SLR flashes. This keeps the kit small, but isn't as useful as a larger flash, so it's a tradeoff. Performes as well as built-in DSLR flash. It's as good as any of the flashes normally built into a DSLR. Pretty good, but nothing spectacular. Works great TTL function works as it should. Easy to use and works as it should. A required device for the Olympus Pen camera.

   

Vivitar 285HV High Power Auto Zoom Thyristor Flash + Bounce Reflector + (4) AA Batteries & Charger + Cleaning Kit for Nikon D40, D60, D90, D200, D300, D700, D3, D3x, D5000, D3000 & D300s Digital SLR Cameras
From Vivitar


Amazon Sales Rank: #156402 in Camera & Photo Brand: Vivitar

General purpose, not dedicated flash. I was looking for a flash for my Nikon D40. Then I saw at AMAZON the "Vivitar 285HV ... for Nikon D40". ... but it was just a general purpose flash, not dedicated in anyway to this camera. The Nikon D40 has 4 contact points for an external flash and the Vivitar285HV has only 1 contact point. The only true fact is that you can put the flash on the camera, but it is absolutetly not related to the Nikon D40.

   

Promaster Promaster 7200EDF Digital Electronic Flash Canon EOS
From Promaster

The PROMASTER 7200EDF Digital is a fully dedicated TTL flash designed to work seamlessly with today's high tech digital SLRs as well as traditional SLRs. It is value packed with a powerful guide number of 100 and full auto TTL integration with your digital SLR. The flash has the added benefit of being able to update the firmware which insures that you will get many years of reliable flash photography
Amazon Sales Rank: #129996 in Camera & Photo Brand: ProMaster Model: 7343

Not what I expected I was talked into this flash by my local photog store and do I wish I had stayed with my original choice of the Canon 430 EX II. The saleperson sold me on the dual flash feature of the flash and it works. That feature is not why I am wishing I had purchased the Canon. The flash shoe connection is the reason for the low rating. When attached and tighted down to the point you can not turn the connection screw any tighter, the flash does not make a solid connection to the Canon when you turn the camera to take a portrait shot. Landscape pictures are fine. The flash recharging between shots is very slow. There's not a low battery indictator to let you know you need to change batteries. If you are needing a flash for the occassional low light shot, then this is the one for you. If you are needing a flash to do more, then look to either the 430 EX II or 580 EX II.

   

SUNPAK 040C 35mm Electronic Power Zoom Flash with LCD (SUNPAK 040C)
From SUNPAK

The PZ 4000AF brings Sunpak's reputation for quality, performance and value to auto zoom flashes. Each version features a motorized zoom head that automatically adjusts the flash to match the focal lengths of lenses from 28mm to 80mm in four distinct settings. If preferred, the zoom head can be manually controlled at the press of a button. For creative bounce lighting control, the head can be adjusted to 90 degrees.The illuminated LCD panel displays TTL, manual or fill flash modes, second curtain synchronization for Canon and Nikon versions and flash confirmation. The guide number range from 80 to 132 assures ample power from either 4 AA batteries or, with the optional, Sunpak TR-Pak IIa Power Pack. To conserve battery power, the PZ4000AF features a sleep mode. If not fired after a few minutes, the PZ4000AF goes into a standby mode. Reactivating the flash requires only a slight touch to the shutter release button of the camera to bring the flash back into a readiness mode.This model is designed for Canon EOS.
Amazon Sales Rank: #129931 in Camera & Photo Brand: SunPak Model: PZ 4000AF Dimensions: 2.50" h x 4.00" w x 7.50" l, .90 pounds

SUNPAK 040C Not Compatible w/Digital Cameras I didn't want to rate this flash so low, because I never got a chance to use it. It is not compatible with digital slr cameras, but I got it during my early stages of buying "everything" for my camera. The seller refunded me, and agreed that it should have been made clear that this flash is only for 35mm/non-digital slr cameras. If you were buying this flash for your digital slr, I just saved you time, and hear ache.

   

Targus Digital TG-DL80C Pro Zoom Auto TTL Electronic Flash for Canon DSLR Cameras
From Targus

Pro Zoom Auto TTL Electronic Flash for DSLR Cameras - Canon
Brand: Targus Model: TG-DL80C Dimensions: 5.10" h x 8.00" w x 3.90" l, .85 pounds

Great for the price The flash that I was going to put on my camera was a Canon 430 or 580. As these are the starting at over $300, I shopped around. This Targus is a very inexpensive alternative to the Canons. It seems to do pretty much what I bought it for, which was to significantly improve the light for shots that need it. The auto flash on my xti is good only for under 10' and can't be aimed. This brings me to the major shortfall of this Targus. I bends straight up and straight forward, but does not pivot left or right, as the Canons do. So, if you turned your camera sideways to take a shot, you could not twist the flash to bounce your light off the ceiling. Yes, it is a great value, if you are not a pro. I'm glad I saved the $250 difference. This is E-TTL 2 Compatible, but not a replacement for Speedlite I just purchased this flash from Amazon and it definitely has more power and versatility (angle-wise) than my Rebel XS built-in flash. However, there is not a lot of info out there about it on the Internet, so I wanted to clear some stuff up. The Canon recognizes this as an E-TTL 2 flash, which is good, and the metering and whatnot appears to work just fine with the flash. When the camera is adjusting it automatically, it doesn't overpower the photo, etc. (I am a newbie to digital SLR so that is critical for me.) However, two important things to note are 1. if you are using the flash on an angle (not straight forward) the camera does not know that and doesn't compensate for the different level needed, so you will have to adjust the camera manually. 2. While this is E-TTL 2 compatible, that does not mean you can control the flash settings from the camera like a normal Speedlite. Speedlites have an LCD and controls on the back for flash settings. This Targus TG-DL80C did not, so I thought, hey, maybe the camera will do it, and I will get the functionality of the display for free! Well, that is unfortunately not the case, and there is no real way to adjust the flash manually. Still, it's reasonably usable and as I learn more about photography I think I will do just fine with it. Maybe it's not the greatest for beginners but it will impel me to learn more about photography, so overall, not a bad purchase for the far lower price, and frankly, the Speedlites (even used) are pretty expensive if you decide photography is not going to be your hobby. Just as expected Great value for the money. The flash works great for what I use it for.

   

Seagull SYK-4 Optical Slave Trigger with PC Sync Socket
From Seagull

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4811 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Seagull
• Model: SYK-4

Works Great!
I purchased this to use with the Vivitar 285HV. I already own a Nikon SB-600 and frequently use CLS to trigger it off the camera. My fear was that the optical slave would fire from the pre-flash off my D80. Turns out this slave will only fire from the pre-flash if it's within inches of my camera. Otherwise, my SB-600 fires it every time.

I decided to buy this optical slave over the peanut micro-slave for one reason: I could put Velcro on it, and attach it anywhere on the flash to make it visible for my SB-600. In most cases this isn't necessary, but if I can't get a good bounce from the other flash this helps. It's certainly within the same limits I have with Nikon CLS. If I wanted anything better, PC cords or true wireless triggers are the only way to go!

50/50 gamble
One review gave 5 stars... the other, 1 star... so that tells me immediately you are going to get something that works or you dont. I didnt get one that worked... in fact, fortunately for me, I had borrowed a friends that looks just like this one he got from ebay and his worked perfectly (im not sure what brand it was, but it looked identical to the seagull). Comparing his to the seagull however, you can see the optial eye on mine was all out of wack. Its amazing any light got thru the thing at all... yet it manage to work a couple of times then not work at all. It does not fit well on the hotshoe either... it would short out and cause the flash to go off repeatedly when I picked up the flash... all in all very shoddy workmanship. Thanks to amazon for giving me a refund after I did not receive any reply from Cowboystudio on my email asking how to return the item... I guess they were all too busy riding on the range to answer, regardless i will never do business with that outfit ever again.

Find another method of firing your slave strobe
This thing is a piece of garbage. It fires maybe one time in ten IF another flash is directly pointed at it from close range. I knew it was a gamble and it was a cheap lesson but a lesson nonetheless. Don't bother.