Flash advice please

ash59uk

ash59uk

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Chris
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I have a nikon D3100 and would like to buy a cheap flashgun, as the built in flash is pretty dire. I have my eye on a Yongnuo 468II for around £55. Part of the appeal is the fact it has ittl.

In my 35mm days I had a "computer" flash where I had to lock the camera speed to 1/125s and had 2 choices of aperture settings on the flash depending on the distance of the object with the ability to set the flash to the film asa, then the flash worked out the power needed.

Would I be better getting a manual flash with a larger power output and just how manual are manual flashes these days ie:- would I have to mess about with lots of settings every time I take a shot or can it be preset like my old flash mentioned above if I need to take a quick shot?
On digital cameras the iso can be changed, would using this increase the range of shot I could take with the Yongnuo 468?

I can`t see me ever using off-camera flash or doing studio type work so I don`t need anything too flash (please forgive the pun) just fill in and when needed at night.

Thanks in advance.
 
Much better than the old 'auto flash', with iTTL you just set your camera and the flash will provide the right amount of power (obviously within reason).
 
Later you can get a more powerful flash if you need, but unless you're planning to set up a static studio, iTTL is the best bet for now.
 
Having looked into it a great deal, I think it would meet my needs very well as I don`t want to buy more flash than I need and never use it to its full potential,that is just wasting money, (tight Yorkshireman ;).
The 468 is excellent value compared to the cheapest Nikon offering which doesn`t have a rotating/tilting head which is important.

I wonder if you know of some kind of flash hood/reflector for this flash to diffuse or rather spread the light when photographing outside?
 
I have that and it's pretty good. It came with a cap that does a pretty good job of softening the light. Get yourself some decent rechargeable batteries tho, its not an absolute power drain but over time you could end up spending a fortune on batteries.

One more thing you may need a set of triggers, although it will fire using the pop up.
 
Thank you all for your help. Having done lots of browsing for flashes,I found a Yongnuo 565EX ITTL for only £15 more than the Yn468 with free delivery. This has an almost double Guide of 58 instead of 33 and wireless too. So @Alan I would just need a trigger transmitter rather than a pair, should I ever get more into off camera flash.

Thanks for the battery advice. Have you any recommendations brand wise, Or just look for the highest Ah rating?
 
The low discharge ones are best for people who aren't high usage users.

Envelops being the most popular, but there are loads of others now.
 
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