Sony External Flash suggestions

[djemzine]

Hi All,

Its been 9 months since I've had my first DSLR. I am not so happy with the standard flash and I am sure that everyone who owns a DSLR always upgrades to an external flash.

I have no clue as to which one to get, but most likely an entry level one. As for the brand I only know of Sony, but are there are any other brands out there that work for an SLT A33?

I was looking at these:

http://www.henrys.com/1234-SONY-ALPHA-HVL-F20AM-FLASH.aspx

or

http://www.henrys.com/1232-SONY-ALPHA-HVL-F42AM-FLASH.aspx

Thoughts?

[snplow]

I too also have an SLT a33 and decided to get an external flash and had the same question too. It really depends on what your needs are. If you need just a basic flash to brighten up your pictures and don't mind the look of on camera flash, the Sony 20 would do. However, if you're looking to play around more with light, then I would recommend other options

I decided to settle on a 3rd party - the Metz 50 AF-1, just because of the additional options at a reduced price and also wanted to get into the realm of off camera flash photography. There used to be the Metz 48 AF-1, where there were a lot of positive reviews on Amazon but that was discontinued. There is fewer info about the 50 AF-1 but I took a chance thinking that it would be a step forward.

Pros (compared to the Sony 42)
- Cheaper than the Sony 42
- An additional 8GN over the Sony (more light)
- Can be wirelessly triggered by onboard a33 flash
- ADI compatible

Features (not necessarily selling points as it only applies to few people)
- Modelling light (strobes a rapidly firing flash to approximate constant light to show you how the shadows will fall from your flash when the picture is taken)
- Has extended zoom mode (if you use an APS-C size camera such as the a33, it will zoom the flash illumination area tighter [the next focal length up] since the flash's focal length is for 35mm equivalent, it can afford to make the beam tighter/narrower since your APS-C sensor frame is smaller than a 35mm equivalent

Cons
- Does not come with protective pouch
- Menu system confusing to navigate, cannot use 1 hand to change settings, manual confusing as it was translated from German

Conclusion: After having owned it for a few months and performed a few photoshoots, it performs better than expected. Sometimes the menu is cumbersome to get to the options you want, rarely there is a miss fire from the wireless trigger (probably due to line of sight issues) but other than that, as a casual or advanced hobbyist, I think this flash will suit your needs quite well

[djemzine]

I too also have an SLT a33 and decided to get an external flash and had the same question too. It really depends on what your needs are. If you need just a basic flash to brighten up your pictures and don't mind the look of on camera flash, the Sony 20 would do. However, if you're looking to play around more with light, then I would recommend other options

I decided to settle on a 3rd party - the Metz 50 AF-1, just because of the additional options at a reduced price and also wanted to get into the realm of off camera flash photography. There used to be the Metz 48 AF-1, where there were a lot of positive reviews on Amazon but that was discontinued. There is fewer info about the 50 AF-1 but I took a chance thinking that it would be a step forward.

Pros (compared to the Sony 42)
- Cheaper than the Sony 42
- An additional 8GN over the Sony (more light)
- Can be wirelessly triggered by onboard a33 flash
- ADI compatible

Features (not necessarily selling points as it only applies to few people)
- Modelling light (strobes a rapidly firing flash to approximate constant light to show you how the shadows will fall from your flash when the picture is taken)
- Has extended zoom mode (if you use an APS-C size camera such as the a33, it will zoom the flash illumination area tighter [the next focal length up] since the flash's focal length is for 35mm equivalent, it can afford to make the beam tighter/narrower since your APS-C sensor frame is smaller than a 35mm equivalent

Cons
- Does not come with protective pouch
- Menu system confusing to navigate, cannot use 1 hand to change settings, manual confusing as it was translated from German

Conclusion: After having owned it for a few months and performed a few photoshoots, it performs better than expected. Sometimes the menu is cumbersome to get to the options you want, rarely there is a miss fire from the wireless trigger (probably due to line of sight issues) but other than that, as a casual or advanced hobbyist, I think this flash will suit your needs quite well

Thanks for the useful info. I guess what I am looking for is something entry level and I don't mind the look of the flash. So I guess I'll go with the F20AM.

Quick question though, the Metz 50AF-1, where did you purchase it if you don't mind me asking so? Also can you post a few pics taken with the flash so I can see the quality? Hope I am not asking too much here heh.

[djemzine]

Never mind, found out that Visitek has it - http://www.vistek.ca/store/CameraMountedFlash/251883/metz-50-af1-digital-flash-sony-mount.aspx

[snplow]

Quick question though, the Metz 50AF-1, where did you purchase it if you don't mind me asking so? Also can you post a few pics taken with the flash so I can see the quality? Hope I am not asking too much here heh.

Oh I totally don't mind. For the portrait shots that I have taken with the flash, I have not obtained a model release form for them yet so I can't share them. The only ones that I have of myself are the grad photos I did for myself (and some friends).

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5637/24854510150196981605168.jpg
By snplow (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/snplow) at 2011-09-13



I can't remember the specifics of how the picture was taken, the EXIF info is on another computer. But approx 1/2 flash power 5" camera left, 90* from subject, Aperature was probably stopped to 7 and SS around 1/100-160? Shot in mid afternoon in shadowy area.

Anyways, personally I think this is a great improvement over the onboard flash for the effect I wanted, but not everyone may want to devote the time or resources to do that, and onboard flash may perfectly suffice for them.

Best of luck!