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Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

Started Apr 23, 2012 | Discussions
samuser Regular Member • Posts: 161
Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH
1

Hello:
Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH
I am planning to buy one for my NX100.
Is it good?

Samsung NX100
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Thomas Wieser Contributing Member • Posts: 750
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

I use it whenever I am to lazy to carry the more powerful SEF 42 with me. It is more powerful than the integrated flash and indirect flash is possible with it. Uses two AA batteries and works fine with ENELOOP rechargeables.

Thomas

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ianalex90 Junior Member • Posts: 43
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

I use the SEF-20A flash on my NX11 camera. It is light and compact and fits easily in a pocket.
It can cause "red eye" when used as normal direct flash.

I use it with a canon 220/270 flash stofen purchased off ebay taped on the flash at a 45 degree bounce angle for a more flattering and diffused light.

timedrun Contributing Member • Posts: 683
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

samuser wrote:

Hello:
Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH
I am planning to buy one for my NX100.
Is it good?

I like mine, I use it with an NX10/11 and nx100, seems plenty powerful for it's size. It is very portable. I use it with li ion batteries., even though the manual says not to, with no adverse effects so far after 18 months.

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Harleysoftail
Harleysoftail Contributing Member • Posts: 506
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

I use this flash on my NX10. I like the size and for my purpose it is perfect.

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dlacoutu Contributing Member • Posts: 811
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

Yep, got one, and I really like the clever way they implemented the tilt feature, even going farther with the way the foot can tilt right into the flash for easy storage!

It's the strongest "portable" Samsung flash, but also the smallest once folded.
It's a perfect companion for a NX100+30/2...

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Ralf Bauer Regular Member • Posts: 183
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

I have not used it, since I dislike the feeptone while recharching. I do not use flash anyway nor with the little flash in the NX200 packet.

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jankop Junior Member • Posts: 25
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

SEF-20A FLASH? In my opinion, it is very... very slow flash recharge time. This greatly restricts me.

Billx08 Forum Pro • Posts: 11,373
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

jankop wrote:

SEF-20A FLASH? In my opinion, it is very... very slow flash recharge time. This greatly restricts me.

Your style of shooting may require a more powerful, faster recharging flash. I've found the SEF-20A to be reasonably quick and much faster than some really slow flashes. If each flash is a full power flash then you'll have the worst possible case, but for most shots, full power isn't needed. I tried setting the camera to force high power flashes by setting the aperture to f/8 and used ISO 100. Shooting at a distance of about 20 feet, after shooting, the flash's yellow ready light started to flash after about 4 seconds and it took several additional seconds to stop flashing. I found that after waiting the initial 4 seconds, my NX100 was able to take another shot, but it then took 5 seconds to get to the flashing light. All three photos were properly exposed.

I then backed off to 25 feet in a room with a much lower ambient light level and now it took 5 seconds instead of 4 to get to the point where the yellow ready light started to flash. For the last test I remained at 25 feet but cut the flash's power requirement to 1/8th by changing the aperture two stops to f/4 and the ISO to 200. Now the yellow light never stopped blinking and I was able to take shots as fast as the NX100 allowed without any pause between shots. I stopped after shooting 15 consecutive shots. That's really pretty good for a small flash that's powered by only two NiMH AA batteries. I think that I could have continued shooting until the batteries died or the flash overheated.

OP samuser Regular Member • Posts: 161
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

Now I want to buy this flash.

Thank you

Billx08 wrote:

jankop wrote:

SEF-20A FLASH? In my opinion, it is very... very slow flash recharge time. This greatly restricts me.

Your style of shooting may require a more powerful, faster recharging flash. I've found the SEF-20A to be reasonably quick and much faster than some really slow flashes. If each flash is a full power flash then you'll have the worst possible case, but for most shots, full power isn't needed. I tried setting the camera to force high power flashes by setting the aperture to f/8 and used ISO 100. Shooting at a distance of about 20 feet, after shooting, the flash's yellow ready light started to flash after about 4 seconds and it took several additional seconds to stop flashing. I found that after waiting the initial 4 seconds, my NX100 was able to take another shot, but it then took 5 seconds to get to the flashing light. All three photos were properly exposed.

I then backed off to 25 feet in a room with a much lower ambient light level and now it took 5 seconds instead of 4 to get to the point where the yellow ready light started to flash. For the last test I remained at 25 feet but cut the flash's power requirement to 1/8th by changing the aperture two stops to f/4 and the ISO to 200. Now the yellow light never stopped blinking and I was able to take shots as fast as the NX100 allowed without any pause between shots. I stopped after shooting 15 consecutive shots. That's really pretty good for a small flash that's powered by only two NiMH AA batteries. I think that I could have continued shooting until the batteries died or the flash overheated.

Faith Yeung Contributing Member • Posts: 600
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

4-5 second waiting is acceptable for full output

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William Hubert Contributing Member • Posts: 872
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

I have this flash, use with NX 210 and NX 300. Like the fact you can change the flash output right on the flash ans it is great for bounce flash. well made and well worthwhile to have because it's small size is in keeping with the camera.--
As with many things in life a great photograph has strong appeal for what is NOT in the picture.

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Thomas Wieser Contributing Member • Posts: 750
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

I have this flash and use it more often than the SEF42 because the smaller size of the SEF20 is more convenient to put it into a pocket. Most of the time it is strong enough even for bounce flash.

Thomas

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trac63 Contributing Member • Posts: 814
SEF-20A

I have one of these units and it's fine for what it is.

However, don't spend too much money one one because it's really just a rebadged $65 Sunpak RD2000 .

Thomas Wieser Contributing Member • Posts: 750
Re: SEF-20A

I bought the Samsung SEF20 new for €49,- so I think it is good value for money.

Thomas

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nx200USER1 Senior Member • Posts: 1,097
Re: Anyone using this flash? SAMSUNG NX SEF-20A FLASH

Thomas Wieser wrote:

I have this flash and use it more often than the SEF42 because the smaller size of the SEF20 is more convenient to put it into a pocket. Most of the time it is strong enough even for bounce flash.

Thomas

I agree, boucing off a nearby wall or generally off ceiling in house has been surprisingly effective with sef20. I trigger it with the sef8a on camera in tandum.

nx200USER1 Senior Member • Posts: 1,097
Re: SEF-20A

trac63 wrote:

I have one of these units and it's fine for what it is.

However, don't spend too much money one one because it's really just a rebadged $65 Sunpak RD2000 .

I would gather thats the premium of a dedicated Samsung attl flash. Cheapest sef20a I found was $100 at the time.

Faith Yeung Contributing Member • Posts: 600
Re: SEF-20A

It is nice to keep ISO at 200 by using the SEF-20a

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nx200USER1 Senior Member • Posts: 1,097
Re: SEF-20A

good timing on that family album shot.

Without the flash I gather that would have been 800-3200 iso region with that lens.

NewForce Senior Member • Posts: 1,263
Re: SEF-20A

Very nice flash shot Faith.

Was it a SOOC shot or after PP?

If it was a SOOC shot then I must say, SEF20A and Samsung A-TTL flash metering does work a miracle without creating any flash hot spot on the faces.

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Kenny

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