Noob questions to external flashlights

[gundamseed84]

Hi everyone I have some questions regarding external flashes (third party)

From the threads in Mass Sales, there seems to be a few brands (Tumax, Nissin, Yonghuo, etc). As I am new, I wonder is there a huge difference in the quality because the prices can be very different for the same range. E.g. Tumax is alot cheaper than Nissin but of lousier quality?

Next is Nissin flashes how durable are they (can people share their experiences?) because I am wondering if I should get in Singapore for the warranty or through ebay (which is around $50-60) cheaper than the one in Mass Sales.

Thanks

 

[madmartian]

Hi everyone I have some questions regarding external flashes (third party)

From the threads in Mass Sales, there seems to be a few brands (Tumax, Nissin, Yonghuo, etc). As I am new, I wonder is there a huge difference in the quality because the prices can be very different for the same range. E.g. Tumax is alot cheaper than Nissin but of lousier quality?

Next is Nissin flashes how durable are they (can people share their experiences?) because I am wondering if I should get in Singapore for the warranty or through ebay (which is around $50-60) cheaper than the one in Mass Sales.

Thanks

Hi, I was as sceptical as you are before. I only go for trusted original brands. When I look at a third party brand, I always give it a miss. But not now. These days technology has improved so much, many third party or off beat brands are as good as the OEM. Its only if you can accept the branding. Of which, many are brands have their factories other countries. Certain items are still better to get the original due to compatibility. But nowadays, like I said, with the tecnology, its possible.

As the saying goes, good stuffs are not cheap & cheap stuffs are not good. Which in today's context, its not very true. There are reputable & reliable third party equipments in the market today, so even OEM gives you problem the next day after your purchase.

For me, I'm using the Tumax flash & I own 3 of them. So far they have served me well, no complains money well spent. Its up to you to venture into the domain third party euipments, its a matter of getting use to, thats all.

 

[ablqadir]

Hi, I am also a newbie and stuck in exactly same problem :dunno:. Hope to see more expert thoughts from the experienced guys.

 

[madmartian]

Hi, I am also a newbie and stuck in exactly same problem :dunno:. Hope to see more expert thoughts from the experienced guys.

Answer is above

 

[redoxen]

Going to get Nissin today. Yippie! Save me loads of cash for better usages. hehe

 

[redname]

Hi,
i'm new to flash guns.

jus wanna know wat shld i be looking out for when purchasing one? i mean there r lots of specs and all these, so how do i know which is which?

 

[kultoo]

To me, the 2 key spec is Guide Number & whether it has the TTL feature compatible with my camera body.

Guide Number is the key spec though others are important too. GN will tell you how "strong" the flash is. It will tell you how many metres/feet the flash can cover at an ISO setting of 100 usually. Higher GN means stronger flash that can throw it's light a longer distance. Next is whether it can do Through-The-Lens (TTL) metering. A compatible flash will take instructions from the camera as the camera measures the amount of light available through it's lens and tell the flash how strong to fire. The ability to bounce the flash (ie. the flash has a tiltable head to angle the shooting angle up/down and left/right) is important too as it helps to soften the harshness of direct face-on flash but anytime you go to higher GN, most flash will have the bounce feature included.

There are other features like whether it can be a command flash that triggers other flash to fire, etc. But that is, IMO, less critical to day-to-day normal use then GN & the compatible TTL feature.

 

[redname]

To me, the 2 key spec is Guide Number & whether it has the TTL feature compatible with my camera body.

Guide Number is the key spec though others are important too. GN will tell you how "strong" the flash is. It will tell you how many metres/feet the flash can cover at an ISO setting of 100 usually. Higher GN means stronger flash that can throw it's light a longer distance. Next is whether it can do Through-The-Lens (TTL) metering. A compatible flash will take instructions from the camera as the camera measures the amount of light available through it's lens and tell the flash how strong to fire. The ability to bounce the flash (ie. the flash has a tiltable head to angle the shooting angle up/down and left/right) is important too as it helps to soften the harshness of direct face-on flash but anytime you go to higher GN, most flash will have the bounce feature included.

There are other features like whether it can be a command flash that triggers other flash to fire, etc. But that is, IMO, less critical to day-to-day normal use then GN & the compatible TTL feature.

wah, i think i'll need some time to digest this man.

saw a few gd offers at mass sales.

i wonder if this is gd: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=490936

 

[kultoo]

Sounds good. Seems like original flash as it has TTL but not sure if there is any difference compared to original one. Maybe some brothers who has used this can comment if the TTL is identical in function to original canon/nikon flash.

 

[redoxen]

Just got my Nissin 622 just now, fell in love with it once it lands on my hands. Love the results, very promising n delightful images. (With diffuser bouncing off the ceiling especially) Will post up some images once i get back later. :0)

 

[gundamseed84]

There are so many types of diffusers, lightsphere, softboxes around and I am not sure which I should get. Basically I want something (for external flash Nissin 622) such that when I take a portrait picture, the face will not appear too bright and flashy.

Any advises?

 

[redoxen]

There are so many types of diffusers, lightsphere, softboxes around and I am not sure which I should get. Basically I want something (for external flash Nissin 622) such that when I take a portrait picture, the face will not appear too bright and flashy.

Any advises?

I think soft boxes should be better off for portraits. But more expensive.

 

[redname]

hi,
I've searched ard and came out with a few choices tht suit my budget. as i'm not tht gd with specs, wld really need advise on which one is gd.

thanks in advance

1. Tumax DSL988 AFZ

Tumax Flash Main Characteristic
• Digital power zoom and manual zoom flash head
• Auto focus/TTL flash
• Red focus assist beam for low light focusing
• Auto shutter speed setting
• Power saving function

Specifications
• Guide no. (ISO100/DIN21) 42(m) at 85mm position
• Focal length 28-35-50-70-85mm
• Multi-angle bounce flash head (in degree)0 / 45 / 60 / 75 / 90
• Recycle time 0.5 - 4 seconds
• Power source 4 x "AA" (alkaline batteries)
• Number of Flashes 150 (times with fresh batteries)
• Dimensions 72 x 102 x 130mm
• Weight (w/o batteries) Approx. 270g

2. SPEED Lite YN460 Mark II Flash
For Canon,Nikon,Olympus,Panasonic and Pentax
Advanced features:
Higher guider number (GN38), with electric capacity increased from YN460 700uf to YN460II 1200uf
Output power fine-tuning function:
Level 46 light quantity output control with 1/7-stop increment
Optical sensor is moved from the head of the flash to the body of he flash (behind the red plastic).
Technical parameters:
Guide number:
38 (at 35mm focal length, ISO 100 in meters)
53 (at 35mm focal length, ISO 200 in meters)
Flash mode: M, S1, S2
Flash power control : Level 46 light quantity output control with 1/7-stop increment
Circuit design: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)
Lighting times: 100 to 1500 times (AA alkaline cell used)
Recycle time: Approx 0.5 - 12sec
Color temperature : 5600k
Flash time :1/800s~1/20000s
Net weight: 250g

3. The Nissin Di466 has been designed specifically for digital SLR cameras with the latest TTL technology. This compact unit packs at GN of 33m(@ 105mm/ISO100). Flash exposure compensation is quick with up to ±1.5Ev at 0.5Ev increments. Full manual flash capabilities possible as well. A great budget master/slave flash!

Features
E-TTL and I-TLL compatible with Canon and Nikon systems respectively)
Guide Number: 33m (108ft at 100ISO).
Quick Power Zoom Reflector: 16-70mm (24-105mm on film SLR camera)
Wireless remote flash triggered optically
Manual Power in 6 steps from full to 32nd power
TTL Flash Compensation for +/- 1.5EV
Built-in catchlight panel and wide panel ("mini bounce white card")

Specifications
Power Source: 4 x AA Batteries (Alkaline, Oxyride, Lithium batteries are usuable)
Recycle Time: 3.8 sec. with fresh NiMH Batteries
Dimensions ( W x H x D ) mm: 67 x 105 x 95
Weight (w/o batteries): 240g

4. Sunblitz Ai 880Tw

Guide : no 36
Function 1. Single/ Pre-Flash Slave mode for different camera system.
To use 1 or both Flashes at the same time
Auto sensor for auto gauging of light intensity based on objects.
Switch 1/ Switch 2 modes for manual control of Flash output.
(For distance less than 6 feet mode 1, for distance more than 6 to 21 feet mode 2)
Batteries Four 1.5V AA alkaline batteries
Recycling Time 4-6 Sec. Approx
Number of Flashes 200 flashes per set of batteries
Illumination Angle 45 x horizontal x 60 x vertical
Color Temperature 5,600 K

 

[redname]

hi,
I've searched ard and came out with a few choices tht suit my budget. as i'm not tht gd with specs, wld really need advise on which one is gd.

thanks in advance

1. Tumax DSL988 AFZ

Tumax Flash Main Characteristic
• Digital power zoom and manual zoom flash head
• Auto focus/TTL flash
• Red focus assist beam for low light focusing
• Auto shutter speed setting
• Power saving function

Specifications
• Guide no. (ISO100/DIN21) 42(m) at 85mm position
• Focal length 28-35-50-70-85mm
• Multi-angle bounce flash head (in degree)0 / 45 / 60 / 75 / 90
• Recycle time 0.5 - 4 seconds
• Power source 4 x "AA" (alkaline batteries)
• Number of Flashes 150 (times with fresh batteries)
• Dimensions 72 x 102 x 130mm
• Weight (w/o batteries) Approx. 270g

2. SPEED Lite YN460 Mark II Flash
For Canon,Nikon,Olympus,Panasonic and Pentax
Advanced features:
Higher guider number (GN38), with electric capacity increased from YN460 700uf to YN460II 1200uf
Output power fine-tuning function:
Level 46 light quantity output control with 1/7-stop increment
Optical sensor is moved from the head of the flash to the body of he flash (behind the red plastic).
Technical parameters:
Guide number:
38 (at 35mm focal length, ISO 100 in meters)
53 (at 35mm focal length, ISO 200 in meters)
Flash mode: M, S1, S2
Flash power control : Level 46 light quantity output control with 1/7-stop increment
Circuit design: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)
Lighting times: 100 to 1500 times (AA alkaline cell used)
Recycle time: Approx 0.5 - 12sec
Color temperature : 5600k
Flash time :1/800s~1/20000s
Net weight: 250g

3. The Nissin Di466 has been designed specifically for digital SLR cameras with the latest TTL technology. This compact unit packs at GN of 33m(@ 105mm/ISO100). Flash exposure compensation is quick with up to ±1.5Ev at 0.5Ev increments. Full manual flash capabilities possible as well. A great budget master/slave flash!

Features
E-TTL and I-TLL compatible with Canon and Nikon systems respectively)
Guide Number: 33m (108ft at 100ISO).
Quick Power Zoom Reflector: 16-70mm (24-105mm on film SLR camera)
Wireless remote flash triggered optically
Manual Power in 6 steps from full to 32nd power
TTL Flash Compensation for +/- 1.5EV
Built-in catchlight panel and wide panel ("mini bounce white card")

Specifications
Power Source: 4 x AA Batteries (Alkaline, Oxyride, Lithium batteries are usuable)
Recycle Time: 3.8 sec. with fresh NiMH Batteries
Dimensions ( W x H x D ) mm: 67 x 105 x 95
Weight (w/o batteries): 240g

4. Sunblitz Ai 880Tw

Guide : no 36
Function 1. Single/ Pre-Flash Slave mode for different camera system.
To use 1 or both Flashes at the same time
Auto sensor for auto gauging of light intensity based on objects.
Switch 1/ Switch 2 modes for manual control of Flash output.
(For distance less than 6 feet mode 1, for distance more than 6 to 21 feet mode 2)
Batteries Four 1.5V AA alkaline batteries
Recycling Time 4-6 Sec. Approx
Number of Flashes 200 flashes per set of batteries
Illumination Angle 45 x horizontal x 60 x vertical
Color Temperature 5,600 K

any kind souls that can help?

 

[Dylan1987]

hello redname,
tt's a long list of specs. but i noticed u mention the nissin 466, why not 622 instead?
i myself is looking at the nissin 622/866 or original

hopefully some kind pros would help in this thread

 

[redname]

hello redname,
tt's a long list of specs. but i noticed u mention the nissin 466, why not 622 instead?
i myself is looking at the nissin 622/866 or original

hopefully some kind pros would help in this thread

budget mah, i budget shooter.

kekeke, long list cause jus in case i miss out something impt as i totally know nothing abt flash

 

[Daedalus Trent]

Hi there!

From what i see, the YN460 Mark II doesn't have an automatic exposure mode. I use the
YN-460 'mark I' and it's a very easy-to-use manual flash for studio photography, but if you're in the field, i highly advice getting one that can do TTL :think: