Best Advise in Purchasing External Flash for my D5300

I'm looking for a bounce flash/speedlight for my D5300. I want it for indoor photography to reduce harsh shadows caused by the internal flash and improve lighting. The Nikon branded flashes are very expensive, like the SB700/SB 910. I have heard you can buy third party alternatives that can perform pretty good for a lot less money like Meike 910.

Can you also suggest me either wired/wireless to do the same ?

Thanks,

KD2PhotoZ

I can't say much about 3rd party flashes, but I have an SB-700 and I gotta say I've been very happy with it. If price is a concern you may want to look at the new SB-500 flash. The nice thing with the Nikon flashes is that they (well almost all) have full CLS / iTTL support + wireless commander / remote options if you ever go that route. Additionally they support high speed sync (Fast Pulse / FP) which while your 5300 doesn't support it, if you ever go to a D7000 / D7100 or full frame you'll be able to use the external flash up to the max speed of the shutter. (With reduced output).

The 3rd party flashes may support some or all of the above (I've never investigated them), but they're things to keep in mind that might be advantages down the road.

Good luck,

Brian

I have 2 speed-lights - a Meike 910 and a Nissin Di622 MkII. The Meike eats batteries and can do more but the Nissin is far easier to use. If I want to put either one in a soft box - the Nissin wins hands down. I use a trigger on the D7100 set it to manual, and then adjust the speed-light. Its got external colored lights that I can see through the soft white cover and adjusting the light is very easy. The CMD mode on the Nikon D7100 works well enough on both and the Meike has both A & B settings while the Nissin has A only. With both of them don't leave batteries in them as they get flattened. The Mieke came with a manual and the Nissin I found on a web site - and printed up.

- If you think you might become serious about your flash photography (i.e. multiple flashes, wireless, etc.), I'd strongly advise you to get Nikon products, for reasons of compatibility (either present or future). There have been cases of compatibility issues with multiple/complex setups and 3rd party flashes

- For the same reason, get a flash that can function as a master and slave

- On a budget? Get a used SB-800. The next best & cheapest thing is the SB-600, but it can't function as a master

- If budget allows, the SB-700 is the obvious choice

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Amateur Nikon

KD2PhotoZ said:

I'm looking for a bounce flash/speedlight for my D5300. I want it for indoor photography to reduce harsh shadows caused by the internal flash and improve lighting. The Nikon branded flashes are very expensive, like the SB700/SB 910. I have heard you can buy third party alternatives that can perform pretty good for a lot less money like Meike 910.

Can you also suggest me either wired/wireless to do the same ?

Thanks,

KD2PhotoZ

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Before running to the shop you have to practice with your internal flash to take a good photo without harsh shadows. I say this because you probably will get harsh shadows with an external flash if you do not know how to setup a fill flash.

By default the flash on your camera is set up to be a key lightsource. Even if you choose fill flash the flash is way to hot in most situations. Do your camera setup as if you are going to shoot without flash. After that you setup your flash. (manual mode) Check the shadows to see how far you can go with your flash.

If you can do this you can look for an external flash. Be shure if this flash can work as a slave. Check if your internal flash can work as a master. If not, then you are probably better of with a more expensive flash that works as a master as well. (in case you want to work with multiple fashes in the future)

RunStrom said:

I have 2 speed-lights - a Meike 910 and a Nissin Di622 MkII. The Meike eats batteries and can do more but the Nissin is far easier to use. If I want to put either one in a soft box - the Nissin wins hands down. I use a trigger on the D7100 set it to manual, and then adjust the speed-light. Its got external colored lights that I can see through the soft white cover and adjusting the light is very easy. The CMD mode on the Nikon D7100 works well enough on both and the Meike has both A & B settings while the Nissin has A only. With both of them don't leave batteries in them as they get flattened. The Mieke came with a manual and the Nissin I found on a web site - and printed up.

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I thought I'd add an image of the Nissin Di622 MKII flash. The 4 channel trigger (approx $35) will work on any camera body that has a flash mount and will also work with any Nikon flash. The flash will also iTTL if mounted on a Nikon body. I'm sure there are many good flashes out there like this one that will a very good job for you. They cost a lot less than the Nikon and do a very good job.

My advice would be to look for a used SB800 Nikon as i have two of these great flash units these have a great feature in the extra battery that being 5 and they reclyle quick and last a lot longer with the extra battery one of my units went for a drop in the mud some 4years ago and when i got home placed it in some rice for 2 days and has never given one once of trouble since so that has to say a lot for the Nikon flash

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Robert McNeil

Yongnuo makes decent speedlights. The 568EX is $180CDN here and has TTL and HSS. I've used this with the Yongnuo wireless transceivers and it works great. The all manual YN-560III is just $85CDN here. It works very well. Nikon speedlights are great for people with lots of money, or who make lots of money from them. If you're likely an occasional user or just experimenting, there's nothing wrong with going with the Yongnuo's.

Is Yongnuo 568 EX II is compatible with D5300? as google shows it is only for Canon?

Dhirajmahajan said:

Is Yongnuo 568 EX II is compatible with D5300? as google shows it is only for Canon?

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No but the regular 568ex for Nikon is.