What flashgun to get?

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I am looking for a flashgun, nothing fancy, just looking for an improvement on the built-in flash of my D90.
Saw this one on Amazon, it's a Polaroid PL126PZ, does anyone know anything about this flash, and if so is it any good, or would I be better spending just a little more and getting the Nikon SB-400?
 
Ian,
The January issue of NPhoto did a comparison of 8 Nikon-fit flash guns which would probably help you to make an informed choice. If you wanted to see the article, I would be prepared to let you have a copy, if you PM your details.

Personally I use a Metz 50 AF-1 with my D90 and find it a good gun for the money I paid for it. The SB400 is a bit small and I think you would quickly 'outgrow' it, while the Polaroid 180 Duo-flash is covered in the article above, but not the one you are looking at. The Nissin guns generally have a good reputation here if you don't want to pay Nikon money for their larger guns.

Hope this helps, but let me know if you need any more info.

This might also serve to bump your request for advice!


Ernie


Ernie
 
I'm in the same predicament and from what I've read the Nissins (as Ernie said) and YONGNUOs seem to rate pretty reasonably. My problem now is to find out what I wantmy flash to do. :)
 
ernieh said:
Ian,
The January issue of NPhoto did a comparison of 8 Nikon-fit flash guns which would probably help you to make an informed choice. If you wanted to see the article, I would be prepared to let you have a copy, if you PM your details.

Personally I use a Metz 50 AF-1 with my D90 and find it a good gun for the money I paid for it. The SB400 is a bit small and I think you would quickly 'outgrow' it, while the Polaroid 180 Duo-flash is covered in the article above, but not the one you are looking at. The Nissin guns generally have a good reputation here if you don't want to pay Nikon money for their larger guns.

Hope this helps, but let me know if you need any more info.

This might also serve to bump your request for advice!


Ernie


Ernie
Click to expand...

Funny you mention the Metz.
Since posting the question I have been looking at the Metz Mecablitz 44 AF-1, £119.00 from SRS Microsystems.
Seems like good value for the money, and I was thinking that being German made it might be good quality.
 
I don't think you would be disappointed with the Metz guns. I used a 44 CT 4 hammerhead for 20years and it was literally bullet proof, but was not compatible with the D90.

In these days, Metz was owned, I believe, by Hasselblad, but that seems to have changed now, although their guns are good and integrate completely with Nikon's systems. There are a couple of things to be aware of.....the Metz menu syatem is a bit antiquated, but if you leave in on TTL you can switch to TTL Bal or Man easily, but if you want to change to the remote settings, that's a bit more complex. The other thing, as with any dedicated gun is that once you buy a Metz Nikon-fit gun, if you change sides, as in, to Canon, you need to change guns for on-camera work.

Let us know how you get on.

Ernie
 
Thanks Ernie, the Metz is looking good, will let you know if I buy it.
 
ernieh said:
I don't think you would be disappointed with the Metz guns. I used a 44 CT 4 hammerhead for 20years and it was literally bullet proof, but was not compatible with the D90.

In these days, Metz was owned, I believe, by Hasselblad, but that seems to have changed now, although their guns are good and integrate completely with Nikon's systems. There are a couple of things to be aware of.....the Metz menu syatem is a bit antiquated, but if you leave in on TTL you can switch to TTL Bal or Man easily, but if you want to change to the remote settings, that's a bit more complex. The other thing, as with any dedicated gun is that once you buy a Metz Nikon-fit gun, if you change sides, as in, to Canon, you need to change guns for on-camera work.

Let us know how you get on.

Ernie
Click to expand...

Hi Ernie, just to let you know I have ordered the Metz 44 AF-1, so looking forward to receiving it and trying it out.

Ian
 
Post your finds and views on it once you've had a play please :-) I'm looking for a flash for my D90 to and having subscribed to N magazine and reading that article it made my decision harder lol! Would love a nikon one as there rates very highly as I'm sure your aware but a cheaper yet good option would be nice if possible
 
Will do Matthew.

I would have gone for a Nikon myself, but the only one in my price range was the SB-400, and that isn't much more powerful than the onboard flash.
 
IanRC said:
Will do Matthew.

I would have gone for a Nikon myself, but the only one in my price range was the SB-400, and that isn't much more powerful than the onboard flash.
Click to expand...

I've kind of wondered what is the point of that SB-400 - It does not even seem to have any controls apart from an on/off switch :shake:
 
boliston said:
I've kind of wondered what is the point of that SB-400 - It does not even seem to have any controls apart from an on/off switch :shake:
Click to expand...

The Sb-400 is a great little flash, while the control is no existent, the results are very good considering, and much better than the onboard flash. It recycles quickly, moderately powerful and the batteries never seem to run flat, while you cant get that creative with it I always take it on my holidays and it's godsend. I bought mine after reading Ken Rockwells review and a little fed up lugging my 900 about. I use it a lot more now my camera hasn't a built in flash flash.
 
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