pop-up flash diffuser

Hi does anyone have any recommendations on anything for this? I tried just holding a section of opaque plastic milk bottle in front of the flash and that alone sees mush less washing out of skin tones. wondering if there is anything out there more designed for the task, have seen some on ebay that slide into the hot shoe. Also if you get one for say taking photo's at a party where its darker what best settings might there be to get good results from the pop up flash? I'm thinking mainly of later on at a wedding do when the sun has gone done and no longer lights the marquee.

You might try one of these.

My advice is not to waste any effort trying to improve the retractable flash (RTF). If you are on a budget, there are are plenty of old manual or auto flashes - any make - that will cost very little and give much better results.

Bear in mind that the RTF is already very weak. Any diffuser will weaken it further.

A Pentax AF-240Z or AF-280T will fit the bill perfectly. As for diffusers, I used to use a white silk handkerchief at one time.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PENTAX-AF280T-TTL-AUTO-FLASH-WARRANTY-NICE_W0QQitemZ230261...

G

Thanks for responses.

George, the manual flash option does seem like a good budget one if I can find one off ebay in the UK, 3 weeks until the wedding, should manage it. Can you advise or is there a thread on operating a manual flash like this with the K10D, what parts have to be done manually, what settings on the K10D might need adjusting etc?

Basically, just put the K10D on manual, and choose an appropriate aperture and the highest ISO you are happy with - probably 400. The camera should select the flash sync speed automatically - but it might not with a non-Pentax flash.

If you buy an auto flash, like the ones I suggested, they have a little sensor that cuts the flash when enough light has been reflected back.

I use two AF-500FTZ flashes most of the time, set to full manual (they don't have sensors). I find the right settings by trial and error (takes no time at all), but it's not ideal for moving around at a wedding reception. The auto flash option would be better for you.

It's best if you can have a couple of flashes mounted off-camera (the 500s have built-in slaves), but again this is not ideal for dynamic situations.

G

Thanks, sounds like for achieving something I'd be happy with a P-TTL will be the way to go. I see that SRS do a Sigma for £110. It might be a bit of a stretch but I suspect anything less will be as you say inflexible for what I want to do.

If it's not a static situation, fully manual flash is a chore. If you can afford the Sigma, go for it, but otherwise an auto-flash like the ones I suggested will do the job. The camera may be on manual, but the flash is dealing with the exposure automatically.

However, successful auto-flash does depend on it being the main light source. It won't work so well if there is a substantial amount of ambient light.

G

Finally, if you opt for the Sigma, get it soon, and practice.

Also, read Matt's sticky on P-TTL. You need to be very careful about reflective surfaces.

G