Cheap flash for k-x

[Bob Carthy]

Has anyone had good luck using a cheap (

 

[jake14mw]

Bob,

I'm interested in the answer to this also. I guess there are three main flash systems, P-TTL, Auto, and Manual. From what I know, going under $150 means no P-TTL which is the advanced flash system. I thought there were some off brand flashes like Bower that claimed P-TTL, but were of questionable quality, but I may be wrong there. Also, I agree with you that swivel is an absolute must. I have the Pentax 360 flash, and it's nice, but really dislike not having swivel. I have had fairly good luck with the auto-thyristor system using older Sunpak flashes like the 383. The main problem I've had with them is the recycle time though. If you are bouncing the flash a lot, recycle times start getting too long quickly. Taking pictures at an event and waiting 4 or 5 seconds for the flash to recycle is tough.

I'd love to hear people's suggestions for an under $150 flash.

 

[Russell Evans]

From what I know, going under $150 means no P-TTL

Metz 36 AF4 is P-TTL, with bounce and swivel, at US $110. Sigma 530 DG ST is P-TTL with bounce and swivel, at US $150. Pentax AF-220FG is P-TTL, no bounce, no swivel , at US $120. There are a number of Tumaz rebranded flashes with P-TTL under $90, Vivitar, Rokinon, Digital Concepts, Bower .... The Rokinon D20AF is P-TTL with bounce, no swivel, at US $63, or US $55 on Ebay, US $43 on Overstock. The D20AF is the smallest P-TTL flash and only uses two AA batteries so it the lightest as well.

At US $220-225 the Metz 48 AF-1 and Sigma 530 DG Super provide P-TTL and wireless P-TTL capabilities.

My personal choice would be to buy the cheapest smallest flash, the D20AF, or buy the Metz 48 AF-1 and then plan latter to add the Sigma 530 DG Super. Actually I would buy all three as having a small P-TTL flash that bounces for $43 seems like a why wouldn't you type of thing. The reason for owning the Metz 48 AF-1 is the it alone is the only P-TTL flash under $375-400 that can turn off its auto power off feature. The is a must for working with radio triggers. The reason for having the Sigma 530 DG Super is that the Metz 48 AF-1 can only be a wireless slave and so having the Sigma 530 DG Super with the Metz 48 AF-1 gives you a flash system that allows P-TTL, wireless PTTL at greater range, wireless, HSS, works well with radio triggers, offers bounce, swivel, and comes in around the same cost as a single high end Pentax 540FGZ or Metz 58 AF-1.

I have no experience with the D20AF flash. It may be a horrible flash. The Vivitar DF183 which maybe the same flash under a different name for about the same price has one review at Adorama.

Thank you
Russell

--
http://waorak.tripod.com/

 

[Diffraction]

If you want cheap bounce and swivel, take the Sunpak 393. I use it with the K-x, and it works fine. To be fair, since I moved from the K10D, I rarely used it, but I did occasionally.

The Vivitar in that price bracket is stronger and zooms, but does not have swivel.

Has anyone had good luck using a cheap (

 

[gkreth]

The Rokinon D20AF is P-TTL with bounce, no swivel, at US $63, or US $55 on Ebay, US $43 on Overstock. The D20AF is the smallest P-TTL flash and only uses two AA batteries so it the lightest as well.

My personal choice would be to buy the cheapest smallest flash, the D20AF, or buy the Metz 48 AF-1 and then plan latter to add the Sigma 530 DG Super. Actually I would buy all three as having a small P-TTL flash that bounces for $43 seems like a why wouldn't you type of thing.

I have no experience with the D20AF flash. It may be a horrible flash. The Vivitar DF183 which maybe the same flash under a different name for about the same price has one review at Adorama.

Thank you
Russell

Thanks for the info. The D20AF certainly seems like the least expensive p-TTL flash for Pentax.

It's $42.49 + $2.95 from overstock, for anyone who's interested:
http://www.overstock.com/4048876/product.html?cid=123620

I'm tempted to try one...

Here's a review of the Vivitar DF-383:

http://www.pentaxforums.co 'm/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/65812-pentax-df-383-review.html

(Copy the link, paste it in your browser, then remove the single quotation mark before pressing ENTER .)

I haven't used it, myself; I'm just proving info I found from other sources. It is more powerful than the Rokinon D20AF.

It's $81.99 + $2.95 s/h from overstock:
http://www.overstock.com/4732774/product.html?ci_sku=12641992

But then, it's only $89.95 from B&H, or Adorama:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600857-REG
http://www.adorama.com/Als/VVDF283PEN.html

For only $5.01 more, I'd get it from B&H or Adorama....

Greg

 

[jake14mw]

Thanks everyone for the information. It looks like the Vivitar only has an on/off switch? No manual mode? I would not buy a flash without a manual mode. The review for that other one that is from pentaxforurms looks a little shaky. On paper, that one looks promising. It's scary to hear the person say that it underexposes in bounce mode though. Any more opinions on these or others would be appreciated.

 

[JimC1101]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Q918QO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0RB30NPZA7FDH3W0Y19Q&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

$49 and has swivel head.
--
Jim

 

[Effzeeone]

For my KX I bought and use the Bower SFD926P, which has P-TTL, rear LCD, manual mode, optical slave, focus assist beam, built-in diffuser/bounce card, tilt, swivel, uses four AA's (pretty fast recharge), and works like a charm. I'm in the USA, paid $114 from B&H, but it's also now on Overstock.com for $100 with $2.95 shipping.

I've looked at the Sigma EF-530 DG ST and might pick one up used, but it's about $150-160 new. I'm sure the Sigma flash has a better reliability and build quality, but so far my Bower flash has seen a lot of use with no problems.

At that price, the Bower SFD926P is practically disposable. If I don't get a used Sigma flash, I'll probably just buy another Bower as a backup or to use as a second flash off-camera.

--
Chris
Effzeeone now has a...PentaxKayEx ???!!! WHAT?!
(Gear in profile)

 

[Bob Carthy]

That is sounding pretty good. I also would like to pick up a used Sigma or Pentax at a good price- though they are hard to come by and go fast!

 

[Bob Carthy]

Thanks for all the input every one- gives me some things to check out this weekend!

 

[whitekx]

Did you see this article -
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2010/08/test-drive-yongnuo-yn-560.html

 

[JimC1101]

Has anyone shot with this flash before ? I am considering it and wanted to get some feedback from users.

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-Digital-Swivel-Bounce-Auto-Focus/dp/B002051E5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1282255832&sr=8-1
--
Jim

 

[BayAreaWZ]

To be clear, the Metz 36 only tilts (up and down), does not swivel (for bouncing when camera is hled vertical).

If it did I would jump all over it. I have the Metz 48 and it's awesome, just really large.

From what I know, going under $150 means no P-TTL

Metz 36 AF4 is P-TTL, with bounce and swivel, at US $110.

 

[Zaldidun]

To be clear, the Metz 36 only tilts (up and down), does not swivel (for bouncing when camera is hled vertical).

If it did I would jump all over it.

Sounds ideal if you use a flip bracket anyway. Thanks for the tip.

Z
--
« Zaldidun » is the Basque word for 'Horseman'.

 

[Effzeeone]

Except for the "Vivitar" on the front instead of "Bower", this flash is identical to the Bower SFD926-P, and is also produced with a couple of other logos on it (Sakar, Digital Concepts, etc.). I imagine that they all work the same.

I own, use, and really like the Bower version, and you can currently get it for $99 at Overstock.com. If you're just partial to the Vivitar namebrand, I'm sure you would have an identical experience.

--
Chris
Effzeeone now has a...PentaxKayEx ???!!! WHAT?!
(Gear in profile)