Off camera flash - new to this

C

Colin44

Suspended / Banned
Messages
193
Name
Colin
Edit My Images
Yes
Looking to get a flashgun that can be mounted off camera for a Nikon D3100.

Am I right in saying it will required a lead as the D3100 doesn't have the capability to sync without a lead?

Also, what would you recommend, it will be used to help get better indoor shots of my kids which at present aren't great. The on board flash is quite harsh and even playing around with the settings is not helping much.

Any advise welcome.
 
You don't really need a sync lead, there are 2 simple wireless options:

Optically: use the pop-up flash as trigger, have the flash triggered off camera by sensing the pop-up flash. Disadvantage being it doesn't work very well unless have clear line of sight.

Radio: buy a set of radio triggers and trigger the flash off camera. advantage being it always just works, disadvantage being it's more kit and costs money.

Either way, you are looking at configuring the off camera flash manually, and a lot of experiment with your lighting setup.


I'd recommend Yongnuo YN-560, can't beat it for its value.
 
You dont even need to use OCF to be honest. If you are only using the onboard flash then you will find a huge difference just using bounce flash with a camera mounted gun. Anything other than the direct onboard flash will be a revelation.
 
I use a Yonguno 560 flash with Yonguno RF-603 triggers (got 4 altogether) for my D3100. Put one on the hot shoe of the camera, and connect a cable from the trigger to the side connection, one connected to the flash and use the third one as a wireless trigger. Works like a treat!
 
The OCF is just so I can experiment with it, I'm sure being able to bounce the flash will make a big difference (in fact a trial with a business card worked a treat, but not practical all the time.

DK, how easy (or difficult) is it to set something like that up? Just seen from your page that your fairly local to me actually. Anyways, do the triggers just operate off a shotshoe fitting?
 
Colin, I recommend a TTL cable, if you are experimenting with bounce flash then you're going to want TTL. The Yongnuo cords run for around a tenner on eBay and being able to move the flash off camera is a very powerful tool.
 
Colin44 said:
DK, how easy (or difficult) is it to set something like that up? Just seen from your page that your fairly local to me actually. Anyways, do the triggers just operate off a shotshoe fitting?
Click to expand...

Colin, it's really easy. It cost me under £100 for the setup - flash (around £50) and two sets of triggers (around £20 x 2). If you follow the steps I mentioned, it's that simple. The only thing with the Yonguno is that it's a manual flash and there is no TTL. So, if manually setting up the flash is okay go for it!

Whereabouts in Ayrshire are you? I'm based in Bearsden but work in Glasgow. I can maybe show you how my setup works before you go ahead and buy it?
 
donkey_kong said:
Colin, it's really easy. It cost me under £100 for the setup - flash (around £50) and two sets of triggers (around £20 x 2). If you follow the steps I mentioned, it's that simple. The only thing with the Yonguno is that it's a manual flash and there is no TTL. So, if manually setting up the flash is okay go for it!

Whereabouts in Ayrshire are you? I'm based in Bearsden but work in Glasgow. I can maybe show you how my setup works before you go ahead and buy it?
Click to expand...

I'm in Kilmarnock, regular in and out of Glasgow most weeks. Sounds llike a decent setup you have for not alot of cash.
Where did you buy the gear, Amazon?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top