Mario's Note: In this article Iaio explains how to select a good flash, with all the elements that have to influence your decision. For the most lazy we have prepared at the end of the article, below, a selection with recommended flashes that will meet all the requirements while still having a good price.
If there is an accessory that causes fascination to all those photography lovers who begin to take their first steps, it is the flash. Moreover, I am almost sure that if you have not yet done yours, surely this accessory is within your wish list.
As you gain experience as a photographer, the external flash will no longer be an accessory to become a fundamental ally to defeat your worst enemy: darkness , in all those situations where you need to shed some light on the scene.
Once the need for an external flash comes your way you will have to face a new challenge: to find the perfect flash for you without dying in the attempt. Choosing a flash can be as much or more complicated than choosing a good camera.
That is why, in today's article, I have prepared the definitive guide to buy a flash so that you can orient yourself in this world of models, brands, specifications and features difficult to understand.
The time has come to unveil the mystery: how to buy an external flash!
Say goodbye to the mysteries of the flash.
WHAT IS AND WHY IS AN EXTERNAL FLASH SO USEFUL?
The flash is an accessory or device that will allow you to add artificial light into a scene where it is escaping, but in a controlled way. That is, thanks to the flash, you can model the light within the scene to your liking.
But this is not all, there are an infinite number of uses and tricks that you can use to give a quality leap to all your photographs. Here are some of the main reasons why you should get an external flash for your camera:
The flash is a very malleable light source thanks to the large number of accessories that exist in the market or that you can manufacture yourself to be able to mold it to your liking, either by modifying its direction, its intensity, its color, etc.
They are extremely versatile, not only thanks to the accessories but also to the different configurations with which you can program them (manual mode) and the possibility of shooting them remotely from different directions.
In addition, the external flash will allow you to bounce it against different surfaces (walls, umbrellas, etc.) so that the shadows generated by its flash throughout the scene are more or less hard.
You can use it not only to add more light, but also as a fill flash to compensate for the contrasts between lights and shadows that occur, for example, when shooting in full sunlight.
The flash power of an external flash and its range is much greater than that of the flash built into your camera. Also, when carrying your own batteries, your camera's batteries will not spend so much allowing you to take more shots.
But not only are they more powerful, but they are also faster than the built-in camera flashes thanks to the possibility of synchronizing them at high speeds (not all external flashes allow it).
But that's not all, since like everything in this wonderful art, you put the limit. As you become an expert in its use you will find the flash a host of extremely useful functions to take your photographs to a new level.
Take your imagination (and your flash) to the extreme.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE BUYING MINE?
As I mentioned earlier, getting an external flash can be almost as complicated as choosing a new camera. This is due to the large number of features and specifications to which you must pay attention to be able to find the flash that allows you to achieve the photographs you are looking for.
Below I have prepared a list of the main features that you should not overlook if you want to find the perfect flash for you.
1- Types of controls (Modes): Like cameras, flashes also have modes that can make it easier for you to take your pictures or not. Ideally, you should work manually as you are the photographer and not just the subject that presses the camera shutter.
TTL mode: the camera's exposure meter makes the measurement and communicates to the flash the necessary light power so that the resulting photograph is “ correctly exposed ”. This mode is very popular due to the comfort it offers and the good results it achieves in common situations where you only want more light. But if you are looking for a particular type of lighting, you must use the manual mode.
Manual Mode: This mode, despite being more complicated, is ideal for you to use so that you not only add more light to your scene, but also understand how to do it and how. When using the manual mode, you must choose the necessary values yourself to achieve a correct measurement and exposure of your photographs . Do not stop doing it because the process is very enriching.
Flash modes2- Guide number: this number is nothing more than an indicator about the power of a given flash model. This aspect is really important to keep in mind when comparing between two flashes since, the greater the number of guides, the greater the power of the flash and therefore, more light will be able to add to the scene.
Depending on the type of photographs you plan to take using the flash, you will require a flash of high power or not. It is a standard that is calculated based on the following calculation:
NG = Subject distance x aperture of the diaphragm (f / value) x ISO / 100
Keep in mind that manufacturers tend to exaggerate a little in terms of the performance of their products so do not rely on 100% of these values. However, to make comparisons between one flash and another, the guide number, if it is really useful.
3- Moving head: one of the most interesting functions that allow external flashes is: bounce the light. To be able to do it in a simpler way, it is ideal that the flash you are thinking of acquiring has a rotating head. In this way, you can direct or bounce it more easily while placed above the camera. Said head should turn up and down and sideways so as to maximize the possibilities when modeling its light.
4- Zoom head: the flashes that bring a zoom head will allow you to adapt the angle of the flash and direct it in order to illuminate the scene correctly depending on the focal length you are working with. If you work with short focal lengths, for example a wide angle, the angle of the flash should be wider, but if you work with a telephoto lens, that flash should be more directed, that is, with a more closed angle. The guide number of the one that spoke to you before, will vary depending on the focal length when the subjects or objects of the camera are closer or further away.
Zoom head for working with various focal distances comfortably.5- Recycling speed: this parameter will allow you to know the time it takes for the flash to recharge its power so as to be able to emit a flash again. Depending on the type of photography you plan to do, this value may take on greater relevance or not. Anyway, try not to acquire a flash whose recycling time is very slow. Depending on the quality of the batteries and the power of the flash, this time can be several seconds, so if you need to shoot photos quickly, you should acquire a flash with a shorter recycling time.
6- Maximum synchronization speed: another one of the speeds at which you should pay attention to the time you get a flash is the synchronization speed of the latter with the camera. This speed will depend on the camera in which you mount it or with which you are working. To give you an idea, a Nikon D3100 allows you to synchronize with the flash at a maximum shutter speed of 1/200, not bad for an "amateur" camera. If you are thinking of making the leap to become a professional , this speed may not be enough and it is convenient for you to make a flash that allows you to synchronize at high speed or HSS according to its acronym in English.
Freeze the movement with the flash.7- Connection Method: you can connect your eternal flash to the camera in several ways, not just directly on it. There are basically 3 ways for you to do it:
Directly placed in the chamber body shoe.
Connected to the camera using a cable.
Wireless activation
The key at this point is to evaluate the compatibility between your camera and the flash so that you can use it effectively, either placed directly on the camera or via a cable or through the Wireless control of the camera (some modern cameras incorporate it), via a pair of Wireless radios or by activating them by firing the flash built into your camera. But keep in mind that:
If you connect them using remote triggers, you will not be able to shoot them using automatic modes and you must configure them manually.
If you shoot it using the flash of your camera, that is, in slave mode, you must make sure that the flash allows this possibility. You will also lose all automatic control in this way.
If you shoot it through the Wireless control built into your camera, if it brings this function, you can use the TTL or iTTL (automatic) modes depending on the manufacturer of your camera since not all allow it.
Wireless sync radios.If you are about to make the purchase, make sure you do not miss any of these features:
The guide number should not be less than 30 meters since less will be very scarce.
That it has a rotating head in a vertical and horizontal direction.
That said head is zoom.
That allows it to be used in manual mode (make sure that the maximum flash speed allows).
If you want to use it in TTL mode, try to make it compatible with your camera.
SO HOW TO BUY A FLASH?
Now that you have a more complete idea of what external flashes are and what they are for and what their most important characteristics are, it is time for you to think about what for me, they are the three most important decision variables when it comes to getting an external flash: the budget, the use you intend to give it and the brand of your camera.
The budget: as always when making a purchase, the budget you have available to make it is essential as it will mark you not only the price limit but also the brands and models to look for. Anyway, think of this acquisition as an investment and not as an expense, since an external flash will give you many satisfactions, and if you were not satisfied, you can always sell it again. Mind you, be careful with it so as not to take away much value.
The use you intend to give it: before making any purchase it is important that you ask yourself, what are you going to use it for? In this way you will not over or sub-dimension your budget and also, if you are very clear about what you intend to use it, you will limit the possibilities more since a flash for macro photography is not the same as an external flash for taking nature photographs or portraits. The type of photographs you plan to take with this flash will determine which of all the possible options and types you need. Anyway, knowing the basics you can internalize yourself in those options that best suit your needs.
The brand of your camera: While it is true that you can use almost any flash on almost any camera, ideally, to maximize compatibility, you will acquire a flash from the same manufacturer as your SLR camera. Anyway, this does not mean that you can not rely on alternative brands to be able to get a good flash, much less since there are some very reliable in the market. Of course, before making any purchase, be it a generic or a “brand” flash, never overlook the opinion of other colleagues and their experience with such equipment.
Opinions and reviews: it is very important that before making any purchase of any camera or accessory, you take some time to perform a search on the internet and see what other colleagues think and what their experience was using those products that are for acquire. In this way, you will know beforehand what are your strengths and major flaws in order to get a more finished idea of whether said external flash, will meet your expectations or not. There are many pages, blogs, forums and stores that allow users to share their experiences with a particular product, take advantage of them.
Take advantage of the opinion of your colleagues.
BEFORE BUYING DO NOT FORGET TO ASK:
The power of the flash, that is, its guide number.
If the head of the same is fixed or rotates in both directions (vertical and horizontal).
If this head has zoom since focal distances it works.
If it is compatible or not with your camera.
If you have manual and automatic mode (TTL).
If you have HSS or high speed synchronization.
The price.
THE BEST FLASHES, PHOTOGRAPHER'S BLOG RECOMMENDATION
Not everyone has the time and patience to search, analyze and compare options before buying. For the most "lazy" readers, here we have briefly prepared a list of the best flashes. Any of these will be worth it for an amateur use or even to take your first steps as a professional photographer:
Canon Speedlite 430EX II, 330 g, 72 x 122 x 101 mm, AA, Black
Nikon SB-700 - Shoe flash for Nikon SLR cameras
Metz Mecablitz 52 AF-1 Digital - Flash with shoe, black for Nikon and Canon
Yongnuo YN560 III - Flash with hot shoe, black (compatible with Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, and other brands. Very cheap price, and number 1 in Amazon sales for a long time. Just see the opinions of users on Amazon )
Is all for today. I hope you found this article full of utility. Please, I would appreciate it if you recommended it on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, so we can work on more free content of equal or greater utility. Thanks in advance
