Cheap Flashes for sale!

   

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.