AboutJohn and Chris Expertise We are both professional photographers, with over 15 years experience. We can answer questions about photography, as well as questions about cameras from the 60s to 90s. (extensive 35mm, quite a bit of other formats.) Please, no darkroom questions.
Expert: John and Chris Date: 12/1/2004 Subject: flash question
Question Hi,
How are you?
I have a question regarding external flash. I would like to purchase a flash for my Nikon N65 and N55. I have been doing natural-light SLR work for years but don't know much about flashes. I would be very thankful to you for your suggestions as to which one I should get. My requirements are:
1. Should be usable with both Nikon N55 and Nikon N65. I do not know if it is even possible to get a dedicated flash for N55. Is it possible that N55 and N65 both take the same dedicated flash? If at all possible I would the flash to work with Nikon D70 - which I intend to purchase in near future.
2. The flash should be rotatable along both axis. In other words I would like to be able to turn it up and down as well as left and right. I would use flash for multiple purposes but especially for photographing people.
3. Due to my student budget Brands like Vivitar and Sunpak are preferred to Nikon and Metz. I am willing to pay up to 100$.
Questions:
1. Which flash would you suggest? Considering Nikon cameras N55, N65 (and D70). I understand that between 3 cameras I may not get away with just 1 flash.
2. Should I get a dedicated flash (if I can get one for both N55 and N65) or is nondedicated a better option?
Thank you so much,
Eric
Answer Eric.... by the numbers again:
Statements 1, 2 and 3.
1. The N55 does not have a TTL system. If you want to fire it on the D70 you should stick with one of the new Nikon speedlites.
2. In statement 2 you've pretty much described the SB-800.
3. I'm sorry my friend, but $100 just ain't gonna happen with a dedicated speedlite.
Questions
1. With the D70 to consider, I would strongely suggest a Nikon brand speedlite. The SB-800 has tilt and rotate.
2. A non-dedicated is not a better option. Except when you're on a student budget. Without the dedicated flash, you lose all the computers advantages. Have you ever done manual flash? Sure, you should know how to. When I first started you didn't have a choice. But it is a major drag. First you have to focus. Then take the camera away from your eye and read the distance from the distance scale on the lens (which most of todays zoom lenses don't even have anymore), then use that number with an exposure calculator on the back of your flash to figure what your aperture should be with the ISO you are useing. Usually by the time you've done all that, your shot is gone.
