First Flash

OK - so I've got my K-x and I'm now starting to look for a few wee addons

Next year I'm going to be taking the K-x to Belgium and I've been told that the built in flash will not cope with where I do intend to take lots of pictures [ interiors of Churches ]

I need reccommendations for suitable flashes please

Think you may be better off with a tripod and long exposures instead of a flashgun?

Just a thought.

Going to be a huge flash to illuminate even a small flash I'd say. Also I'd suggest a flash is not the ideal solution. How about a longer exposure using natural light with a monopod or some other support?

Now I wait to be corrected by those with much more experience than I have! This is what I love about this forum, I will be corrected and educated in the nicest possible way.

Mike

Think you've got flash on the brain there Mike, I presume you meant "huge flash to illuminate even a small church"

I'd agree, use a tripod or monopod if allowed & the K-x has very good iso performance so don't be afraid to bump it up if not using a tripod.
Also, if you do use a tripod, try the in-built HDR function to achieve a more balanced exposure. You may want to consider a wider lens rather than a flash ?

If it's a trip you're not going to repeat soon & the interior shots are important to you, the best advice I could give is to practice. Visit some local churches & ask if you could take some photos, you can always offer a few prints as a thank-you. This way you will have a firm starting point for technique & the best settings to use.

oh yes - I'll be doing that with my own Church - and will get some practice in that way.

My Yank friend [ OK don't scream at me ] uses a Nikon D40x and an Olympus E-500 and his flash units are Nikon SB-600AF Speedlight and and Olympus FL-50R - both of these are good TTL flash units . He agrees that there are times when he needs a tripod - but not many .

I've seen his stuff and he's considered to be an expert at some of the shots he needs to get [ not my description but that of experts in the USA ]

He was wondering about a Pentax AF360FGZ for me - but since he's not a Pentax man wanted other opinions
He is a photographer specializing in Church art and architecture. When he goes into a church is with permission of the authorities, and has unlimited access to the facility and art. Thus he does not need to be far from anything he is working on.

Last year he took me along on occasions to these particular shoots when I managed to meet up with him when he was working in Europe.

I have a couple of Nikon SB80DX flashes and use them manually both on my K10 and off with triggers - i have been very impressed with them - got them from ebay for around £70 however if you only need one i would perhaps go for the AF360FGZ as it may be more flexible for your needs

If you don't take a tripod with you you can of course use your rucksack for example and use the 2 second delay, have done that sometimes with success

Pentax AF360FGZ isn't really impressive but good though but for the price the Metz 48 is more powerful and have a swivel head which is very handy!
The more expensive units have more power but don't think you will need that... although if you decide to light a church you can take a couple of the more powerful ones and use the wireless flash function that will do the trick