Beginner Another flashgun/hotshoe beginner thread.

sduk

sduk

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Sammy
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Hello all and Merry Christmas.

I was lucky enough to get some money for Christmas and am looking to buy a flashgun for my Sony A77.

I am an amateur and just looking to improve indoor shots of family and maybe do some creative lighting. So am i right in thinking a flashgun is my best solution?

I have been reading lots and searching the forum but have a few specific questions I'd like to ask...

- ttl, is basically an auto function for the flash? So it'd be best if I could get one with that? Is that a must?

- if I get a Sony alpha compatible flash then I can mount via the hot shoe?

- what sort of power is "enough" for what I need?

- I have a budget of around £100. Is that achievable?

- would you stick with Sony or are brands like Meike and Yongnuo a decent alternative?

- ideally you bounce the flash off the ceiling and use some sort of cover on the end to diffuse the light?

Thanks for the help. Any other advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

Sammy
 
Can't advise on cheap 3rd party flashes with ttl. When ceiling bouncing I prefer not to use a diffuser, and to aim and focus the flash to illuminate the part of ceiling for the kind if lighting I want. That requires less flash power, or on full power gives you more light so more freedom to use better aperture and ISO.

Make sure your A77 is up to the latest software. That fixes some flash exposure problems.

If you have a good wide aperture lens like the 16-50mm f2.8 or the 35mm f1.8 you should be able to get good party shots in dim light by using the pop-up flash turned down low to just brighten some darker facial shadows without looking as though flash was used.

Don't forget the option, if it's your house, of improving the party room lighting by just buying more powerful bulbs for the existing lights, and maybe adding some in darker corners.
 
chris malcolm said:
Don't forget the option, if it's your house, of improving the party room lighting by just buying more powerful bulbs for the existing lights, and maybe adding some in darker corners.
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HI Chris. That was a great reply. Like that last section as I had not really thought of that before. Other than I did put up fairy lights over Christmas in an area that is far enough away to be able to capture some bokeh if I manange to get people in the right place.

Gaz
 
I know nowt about Sony specific flash, but just to add to the great advice from Chris, I'd a,ways advise a TTL speedlight as a first flash, you can't beat that versatility and ease of use.

Later you can add triggers, manual flashes, softboxes and stands and stuff, but for now, grab a TTL s peedlight and 'the speedlighters handbook' by Syl Arena.
 
the main thing that puts me off ttl is the way it sends out an annoying preflash before taking the shot to work out the flash exposure so i prefer non-ttl although ttl can help people get started if they are not used to flash
 
boliston said:
the main thing that puts me off ttl is the way it sends out an annoying preflash before taking the shot to work out the flash exposure so i prefer non-ttl although ttl can help people get started if they are not used to flash
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If you want to do remote manual you need a flashgun that has TTL and then there is flash exposure value lock

Mike
 
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