Flash Gun or Fast Lens

[Andies]

just got the 42 a week back and i am happy with its performance and flexibility..

flash photography gives sharper pictures especially when you are talking about phorographing kids running about. at f1.7 - f2.2 to allow for shooting in low light, any slight movement of your camera or the subject will cause focus to be off..

 

[Agetan]

Oh boy...dilema dilema :think:. But very useful advise indeed. My initial thoughts were exactly what you mentioned. The lens will be a much more worthwhile investment than a flash. My only concern was that will it be fast enough? Will I be able to get 1/125 at its widest with a 50mm f/1.4? What's your experience?

Generally, most image will be shot at f2 and yes, 1/125sec is very achievable if you know where to place your subjects...

Have a look on the children gallery on my website www.tomato.sg, only about 2 images were shot using flash.

I have stopped using flash for a while though it will always on my bag as my standard kit just in case i need it.

Of course if your budget can stretch, buying both will be good.

Regards,

Hart

 

[reaper3075]

well, 42 yes it's enough. but 58 will enter you to another world. it's at the very least is very fun to play with...turn here and there...:sweatsm:
it's actually not a need, and it another hole in my pocket actually:sweat:

yeap.. ur right... its not a need for me right now.. but i did have some thoughts of needing it ;p

 

[Drudkh]

Have you tried using the built-in flash? I've used it recently with a kit lens and it gave me very good results.

 

[mannfai]

Have you tried using the built-in flash? I've used it recently with a kit lens and it gave me very good results.

The popup flash? Very limited control or no control at all. The pictures often turn out no different than those taken with a PnS camera. I'm not very thrilled about the popup.

 

[mnjohar]

actually the brand is National , but cannot find it in google leh, maybe the word national is also a dictionary word............

do people still use this kind of flash gun nowaday??dont think so........

Bro I'm still using it for my wedding assignments for Malay wedding. still with the ET head and works well on my D200. still loving it besides my SB-800:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[TME]

The popup flash? Very limited control or no control at all. The pictures often turn out no different than those taken with a PnS camera. I'm not very thrilled about the popup.

I think if you're so concerned about the 'no flash' look... you've got to either use a very fast prime at f/2 like what Hart says... but that takes a lot of hardwork to get the angles right... it's quite tough... but then again, it's a hobby not a job... so I don't want to sweat over it...

I would take the flash... you can always go manual off camera, bounce the flash off a wall to illuminate the child as he or she runs about... u can get very creative with the lighting I'm sure...

 

[mannfai]

yeap.. ur right... its not a need for me right now.. but i did have some thoughts of needing it ;p

Eh...may I ask...what are these needs? What is it that the 58 can do that the 42 can't? Since I don't have a flash now and am going to get one, I would like to make the right choice.

 

[reaper3075]

Eh...may I ask...what are these needs? What is it that the 58 can do that the 42 can't? Since I don't have a flash now and am going to get one, I would like to make the right choice.

im sorry, i meant i 'needed' it in a joking manner..

fact is, i do not see a need for me to upgrade from my 42.. my 42 has served me well, and I dont need the fancy swivel of the 58. 58 damn big too.. ;p

 

[Getz10]

For shooting children, I would choose a fast lens over flash as well.
IMO, flash would get their attendation of your present and thus lower chance of natural shoots.

I find noise control of A700 at ISO 800 is still very decent, no issue for me
For the F58, the swivel is not fancy but helps to cover a lot more angle even without off-shoe.

 

[mannfai]

I just bought the HVL-F42 over the weekend. Are there diffuser domes available for the F42 like this one (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2336)?

I searched a bit on the Internet and it seems like these are available mostly for Nikons and Canons.

Any advise?

 

[Galdor]

Yes, they are available. You can check out MS Color, Cathay Photo, The Camera Workshop or Orient Photo.

 

[zcf]

For shooting children, I would choose a fast lens over flash as well.
IMO, flash would get their attendation of your present and thus lower chance of natural shoots.

I find noise control of A700 at ISO 800 is still very decent, no issue for me
For the F58, the swivel is not fancy but helps to cover a lot more angle even without off-shoe.

got to agree with the flash, I was sceptical of F58, but after I used it for a while, it's vertical rotate swivel way is a better and more friendly design than existing 5600HS (which need to press a button to swivel, some more need to change 2 angle while trying to bound flash, whereas F58 only change 1 angle).