Beginners guide to flash

[bobiscuit]

Having only ever used the built-in flash on a few cameras, I would like to start experimenting with proper flash units.

I've been reading various threads about the things I'd like to do - but having never used one, some things go over my head.

There are two things I'd like to use it for:

1) To "reach around" the front of the lens for macro photography.
2) To position in various places around a subject for portraits.

I'm not interested in mounting one on the camera hot-shoe. None of my shots really need that.

I'd like to start off with something very cheap.

So should I look on eBay for any flash unit by any manufacturer that has manual controls?
My camera (Sony A300) has a "wireless flash" function - does this mean I can buy (any?) trigger and attach it to the flash unit remotely?

I've read warning about using flash units with incorrect voltages incase they damage the camera - but how is that possible? Is that only valid when it's mounted on the hot-shoe?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I got to "reach around" and had to stop because I was laughing so much!!

I am so childish!

 

[billybob99]

i dont know much about flash photography, just bought a jessops 360afd for my a200 which seems fine for what i want, it is fully manual and wireless.
To make it work wirelessly you set the flash to slave (on the flash) and the camera to wireless flash in the flash menu and the onboard flash sends a small flash which triggers your main flash
hope this makes sense as i said i'm a complete noob to flash photography but am learning
always happy to help

 

[david1701]

or by a ttl cable and tape a jessops/sony flash to the lens hood for macro stuff.

I'd use radio triggers over optical as the onboard will contribute to the exposure