Sony A55 external flash recommendation

[gcg]

My newborn will be here in a few months and I'm looking to gear up to be ready to take some good baby pictures. I have a A55 with a 50m f1.8, will most likely get another walkaround zoom lens in the ballpark range of 20-75mm and/or a wide angle (maybe fisheye), but first I am looking to buy a flash first. I am a noob when comes to most hardware. I see some ppl recommended the sigma 530, which is around $150 these days? I am looking to spend <$200 since budget is tight with all the baby stuff that I need to buy.

[dunderwood]

I saw this today on Kijiji
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ398200518

It was my first flash and works on hot shoe or even better off camera as wireless. I use it now as a 2nd off camera flash or backup. Swivels up down for ceiling bounce. Next one to keep an eye out for is the HVL-F42AM or higher since it also includes the up/down, left/right swivel for bouncing off walls.

Congrats on the baby.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougunderwood/

[duparis00]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/140782953077?...84.m1439.l2649

I got the above flash for $80 on ebay that's the going rate and I love it as an off-camera flash it can work wirelessly or cable synced. On camera is made for the Sony mount so no adapter needed and it's very powerful.

Uses 4 AA batteries, has full swivel 360 left to right, and 90 degrees up and down for bouncing light. It also has auto zoom function and rear LCD to adjust settings on flash and for quick reference.

I highly recommend this flash as I've found the OEM Sony's while fantastic flashes, don't offer more than good 3rd Party flashes in terms of performance, but cost is significantly higher. If you're wondering I compare this flash to Sony's HVL-F58AM their $350 flash.

[gcg]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/140782953077?...84.m1439.l2649

I got the above flash for $80 on ebay that's the going rate and I love it as an off-camera flash it can work wirelessly or cable synced. On camera is made for the Sony mount so no adapter needed and it's very powerful.

Uses 4 AA batteries, has full swivel 360 left to right, and 90 degrees up and down for bouncing light. It also has auto zoom function and rear LCD to adjust settings on flash and for quick reference.

I highly recommend this flash as I've found the OEM Sony's while fantastic flashes, don't offer more than good 3rd Party flashes in terms of performance, but cost is significantly higher. If you're wondering I compare this flash to Sony's HVL-F58AM their $350 flash.

thanks, I think I will buy it tonight, cant go wrong at this price. How do you think this compare to the sigma ef530? which goes for $120 on ebay

[duparis00]

I like the Sigma they're one of the oldest companies and I have a few of their lenses, they make lower and higher quality products for market share. The Sigma has a few more functions than the $80 like TTL exposure compensation, functions like that make it easier for users so you're not guessing as much about lighting. Between the two it was the price point that sold me on the $80, it's near half the price and in terms of power and versatility it's the same. The Sigma would make a few things easier so it's really your call on which to go for, both are great choices.

As I said I chose the Yongnou 560II because it's the latest out this year, it's a chinese company but the instructions are actually in coherent english lol. And the things like TTL and ADI that the Sigma has is a nice bonus, but for me aftera while you can guess and test pretty quickly what settings you need, like all things you get experience with.

Congrats on the baby btw, you'll take some awesome shots I'm sure!

[gcg]

flash arrived today, but need to recharge my AA before I can try it out. Build is solid.

[hjello]

I am looking for a flash for my A55, are you happy with the one you bought off ebay?