 Ric |
Off-brand Flashes Hello, I have a question about buying aftermarket flashes. Hopefully someone might be able to help me. I am currently taking a slide film photo class. For this class I am required to buy a professional level flash, one that allows me to control the exposure. I have a Minolta Maxxum 5 which I love but I'm planning on upgrading to a Cannon Elan7 in about 5-6 months so I do not want to spend $350-450 on a Minolta 5600 hss. I found a Sigma EF 500 DG Super flash online for about $180, and it seems to do everything that the minolta flash does. It got a good review in a photo mag but people that I've spoken with, mainly camera store employees and my instructor, have advised me against buying that flash. The camera store employees say that they don't carry Sigma items because they tend to have problems interacting with the camera electronics, but they also try to push other flashes on me. My instructor just doesn't trust any aftermarket product. He says that it is better to buy the accesories that are made especifically for the camera by the manufacturers of the camera. What he says makes complete sense to me except that I am a college student who doesn't have the extra income to buy the flash for my camera which I will only be using for another 5-6 months. I would greatly appreciate any advise that anyone might have for me. Thank you fo ryour time.
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Jon Close |
You can check out the Metz line. They have some models that have interchangable modules for TTL flash with different camera makes. For example, you could get the 54MZ-3 for Minolta now ($355 @ B&H), then simply buy the EOS module SCA-3102 ($70 @ B&H) if/when you get an Elan 7. Of course this is equal to or greater than the total cost of buying 2 Sigma 500 DG Supers, one for your Minolta and one for the Canon. A less costly route is to get a professional-grade flash that does not have TTL dedication, such as Vivitar's 285HV ($80 @ B&H). Such a flash could be used on any camera you have or think you might get in the future, including DSLRs. You'll have to learn more about setting fill ratios yourself rather than depend on the camera's auto-exposure algorithms, but that'll make you a more knowledgable photographer.
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Ric |
Hello Jon. Thank you for your suggestion. The Metz Flash seems like a great accesory I might want to purchase in the near future but the Vivitar 285HS seems to solve my current dilema, and anything that makes me a better photographer is always worth a shot,right?. You have been a big help. Thanks again. Ric.
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Piper Lehman |
Ric, As long as the flash is dedicated to your system, it should work fine. On the flip side, I find flash exposure a mystery most of the time, so having to compensate different settings because of the off brand functioning is just adding to the frustration. Ask your instructor to recommend something.
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