Small body, flash too big?

kli wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Hi, I'm looking for a basic flash mostly for my E-M10 w grip, but also E-PM2. I will not have a chance to try flashes before I order.

Looking at these models: neewer TT560, Mcoplus/triopo TR950 & amazon basic flash.

Just me. But you need to a) consider things other than size/weight, b) figure out how you plan to use this flash, and c) get a bigger budget.

Flash can be far more transformative to your photography than a new lens. Budgeting accordingly is not stupid.

All three of the budget flash models you listed are what are known as "manual-only" flashes. I would not recommend them to a new user as a first flash. All settings have to be adjusted on the flash itself. The camera cannot control the flash other than to fire it. You will be limited to 1/250s and lower shutter speeds (no HSS). You can't have automatic meter-based power-adjustment for the flash (TTL). Or any settings controls through the camera menus.

Manual-only flashes are universally compatible because they only have the one pin on the foot to do the one electronic signal that is specified by ISO standards: the one for firing the flash in sync with the curtains opening/closing. All other camera/flash signalling doesn't happen.

They can be good for off-camera use, but as a first/only flash, they're very limited. Also, tdoay, you can get models with radio triggering with power control built-in.

Are they too big for the E-M10?

They're all full-sized speedlights, sized for dSLRs/SLRs, that might be bigger/more topheavy than you'd want to use on a mirrorless body. Some folk have no difficulty with them, others do.

The four general recommendations I've seen for small TTL-capable flashes for mirrorless are the Meike MK320, the Godox TT350, the Nissin i40, and the Metz M400. But. They're more expensive than what you're looking at, and less powerful than the full-size speedlights. So it really depends on what you plan to use the flash for that will determine if they're appropriate for you.

You may also want to decide if on-camera or off-camera features are more important to you.

Frankly, I'd recommend looking at a Godox TT350-O ($85) or a TT685-O ($110) as your first speedlight, if you have to go cheap. But you may really want to save up for a used FL600R/FL360L, if you want to do things like use your pop-up flash as a "smart" optical master, have factory service, decent resale value, and guaranteed future/backwards compatibility.

Also on eBay there's a Digital Concepts 528af flash that has TTL with older E and E-P bodies. Would it be compatible with my cameras?

Possibly, but it looks very low-powered and doesn't swivel.

Power output on a flash is like maximum aperture with a lens. The more you have, the more you can do, but the bigger/heavier/more expensive the gear gets. A regular-sized speedlight is already kind of like an f/3.5-5.6 lens in the lighting world. A smaller flash is more like an f/6.3-f/8 lens.

The main technique people use for on-camera flash (where the speedlight is attached to the camera, and not on a stand in a studio lighting setup), is to bounce the flash. This is where you point the head of the flash at a reflective surface (wall, ceiling), and use the reflected light as your illumination. It removes that "deer in the headlights" look of direct flash, where the light is coming from very near the lens's position.

But bouncing requires that you can swivel the head (preferably the full 360º around), and have enough light to lose some on the increased distance and scattering that bounce causes.

See also: this stackexchange Q&A on what features to look for in a flash .

I'm still inclined to go for a cheap flash, before I get the better TTL flash. I mostly shoot in manual mode, with old manual lenses. It'll take some time to figure things out, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

So I'll probably need to get a bracket for these flashes or find a smaller model.

Thanks. Now I know what model to get next...