Why do i need a proper flash?

When it comes to flashes i have no idea?

Why do i need a proper flash?

Ive got a K7 and hardly ever use the flash.

Ive seen a pentax 360 for £220 in currys (which i thought was a very good price).

I enjoy macro shooting and think a proper flash may be usefull but would a macro ring flash be a better option?

You can get the AF360FGZ for a lot less than the price in Currys.

It is a good flash though.

For macro I guess a dedicated ring flash would be useful, they can be expensive though.

I guess the real point is though, if you've found yourself not needing a flash, do you need one?

i have a samsung flash for sale and and am open to offeres, its identical to the pentax 360(just rebadged)
an extrnall flash will always give more control and flexibility.
not used a macro flash.
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/samsung-sef36pzf-flash--sale--19352

I'm not an expert on flashes by any means, but the biggest differences are (1) power - obviously... and (2) angle of light.

Looking at (2) - a flash mounted on a hotshoe of the camera can be pointed up at the ceiling (or sideways to walls with the more expensive ones) - this allows you to get a Bounce Fill. Or, alternatively, you can put a Diffuser on the flash and angle it up half-way. Either way, you will get a much softer fill-light than the very hard built-in flash.

But even better, you can use a flash remotely (the pentax 360/540 being the easiest to use here) which can be hand-held, stuck on a stand, or whatever, and used as a hard key light - crucially your light is now off-axis with the camera, which is completely impossible with the built-in flash, and will give far better portraiture as a result!

For macro work, a ring flash is the ideal applications, but a hand-held remote flash to one side is pretty good for most uses...

If you are unsure about flash, I would recommend starting out with an old manual flash (make sure the trigger voltage is safe, less than say 9v). You can always use a cord if you want to hold the flash off camera (like this guy link. Also notice his home made diffuser! The results speak for themselves.)

I bought a Samsung version of the flash you are thinking about, and as an occasional flash user found myself not using all its features. So I sold it and got a Cobra 700AF flash for £6.99. The head on this flash swivels two ways so you can bounce off walls or ceilings. I use it in manual (full flash) and just adjust aperture / shutter speed / ISO to get the right balance of flash to ambient light.




There are other cheap second hand manual flashes which allow you to change the flash power settings manually for even more control.

I have the best of both worlds for that - I have a 360 and a ringflash adapter for the 360 (called an Orbis). Makes macro shots a breeze - and portraits something special.

My last 2 macro shots on flickr are taken with the Orbis - the clematis flower & rose (though unfortunately not with my K20).

I also use a 3rd party (Metz) flash which works just as well as the 360 but was 80GBP cheaper.

C

One of the reasons to get a flash is so that you can control the light and with photography light is everything as you know. It's a tool just like your lens.

Yes a ring flash would be more useful then.

If you want a flash mainly for macro, why not use your onboard flash and build your own flash diffuser? Very cheap, easy and most people seem to be quite happy with it. link

I think there's a project for Sunday. Thanks.

You're welcome and have fun! I remember reading that some people prefer using a Pringles container. I'll see if I can find it and post that link as well.

Wow thats ace.

Ill be making one of those..

Cheers

Pringles diffuser

link

Yeeeaaaaah! That's the one I meant. Thanks! I think I might prefer this one over the first one. I'll ask for one for my birthday!

I think the pringles one could do with the same angled diffuser as the cardboard Lidy-special. I'd best get eating. I'll buy two packs, in case I mess one up.

I'd better get an extra one as well!