 Kevin B. Wray |
How to decide on a flash for my Nikon D100 I want to buy a hot-shoe flash for my Nikon D100. I have seen many flashes that say they are compatable with the D100, but they are dedicated iTTL while the D100 is DTTL. I need to keep to a tight budget, around $100. What should I look, and look out, for? Thanks,
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Jon Close |
The D100 can use a non-TTL auto speedlight, like the Vivitar 285HV or Sunpak 383 Super, which are both under $100. For auto-TTL flash in all modes it requires a speedlight capable of Nikon's D-TTL system. I don't know of any current production D-TTL speedlights for ~$100, though there may be some. Nikon's current SB-800, SB-600, and SB-R200 will work in D-TTL with the D100 as well as i-TTL with newer Nikon digital SLRs. The SB-400 is i-TTL only. Sigma's EF 500 DG ST, EF 500 DG Super, EF 530 DG ST, and EF 530 DG Super are compatible with both D-TTL and i-TTL. You might look for used models of Nikon's SB-80DX, SB-50DX, or SB-28DX. These were the D-TTL speedlights available when the D100 was sold.
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Jon Close |
P.S. The Sunpak website info on their PF30X, PZ40X, and PZ42X says they are compatible with Nikon i-TTL and there is no mention of D-TTL. However, I have the user manual for the PZ40X for Nikon and it is compatible with both D-TTL and i-TTL. Perhaps the PZ30X and PZ42X are as well, I don't know.
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Gabby Lewis |
I've been looking at a Sunpak as a second slave flash for my Canon 400D. I've read that they can give off too much power and fry your camera(?) Does anyone know if the Sunpak or Vivitar will work with my Canon?
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Debby A. Tabb |
"A second slave flash" would be off camera, so would not effect your camera. Your camera would only be working with the slave trigger or your compatible flash at the time . If I have your intent right. When I do weddings or certin events I use Vivitars w/Radio controllers placed where they will add the extra light I need . I hope this helps,
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Jon Close |
Care must be taken when using old flashes you may have used with old cameras, or if buying used gear. Some older flashes designed for manual cameras could have trigger voltages across the hotshoe terminals of several hundred volts. And earlier model DSLRs were not tolerant of more than ~8 volts at the hotshoe. Both have been redesigned. Current model EOS digitals like the 400D are tolerant of up to about 200v at the hotshoe (though still recommend such high voltage be avoided). Current model Vivitar 285HV and Sunpak 383 Super have low trigger voltage of 8v or less and are safe to use. For more info, see http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html.
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Gabby Lewis |
Thanks for your replies Debby and Jon. Both insightful (you're quite right Debby as I had no intention of putting the generic flash on my camera!) and informative (excellent info Jon)! But I feel much safer now being better informed. Do either of you have a preference for Sunpak or Vivitar?
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Kevin B. Wray |
Hi Jon, Thanks for the great advice...I am looking at a Sunpak PF30X and feel pretty confident that it will work thanks to your research and expertise. Kevin
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