Flash advice wanted please!

[ash59uk]

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.

 

[kendo1]

I've just started using my Yongnuo flash today.
Very pleased with the results. Just turn it on and it does the rest.
I bought the radio triggers as well, so that I could use the flash off camera.
I bought the YN565EX for about £75.

So, 1st day of use and here is one of the shots, standard Nikon zoom 18-55 VR:

Zorki 4K Jupiter - 8 by kendo1111, on Flickr

 

[EOS_JD]

For what you suggest I'd get a TTL flash. If you just have the flash on the camera and you are shooting for fun then Manual makes no real sense. A TTL flash is easily set to provide fill and works best when shooting where subject to flash distance is not consistent.

If you are looking for control and have a fixed flash to subject distance then manual will be more consistent.