[tabl10s]

that no-one likes? The output can be dialed down and it's much easier to use than my Metz 58AF-2.

[adpo]

its harsh, doesn't particularly look flattering 9 times out of 10 and people generally don't know enough about the uses of on-axis lighting to take full advantage of it

[bkpix]

None of which is a reason not to have it. The flash is handy in a lot of situations, particularly for softening harsh shadows outdoors in the sun.

[Salagubang]

It isn't High-Speed-Sync capable. :P

[tabl10s]

its harsh, doesn't particularly look flattering 9 times out of 10 and people generally don't know enough about the uses of on-axis lighting to take full advantage of it

Can you explain?

[audiobomber]

I use a Gary Fong Puffer with on-camera to diffuse the light. It works.

[GibbyTheMole]

Can you explain?

I'm not adpo, but here goes:

Generally speaking, the bigger the light source, the better off you are. Straight-on flash is generally flat with harsh shadows because you're hitting the subject square in the face with a teeny little light that casts nasty shadows. Bounced or off-camera flash is better. When you bounce a flash off the ceiling or wall, you're in effect making the light source the size of the ceiling or wall rather than the small light source of the flash itself. This helps to cancel out harsh shadows, and gives a more natural look. If you're using off-camera flash, you're avoiding the flat-in-the-face light, and you can also bounce it or use a modifier (relector, umbrella, softbox, etc.) to make the light bigger.

I have used the on-camera flash in a pinch when I haven't had one of my bounce flashes with me, but I like to avoid it whenever possible. I have a Fong Puffer too. It helps a bit, but it's not a miracle worker.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

[ihasa]

Lord knows why they can't design an onboard flash with a tilting head. You can deflect the light from the onboard flash upward, to bounce off a ceiling - this Christmas I used a foil mince pie tray folded and attached to the flash with an elastic band.

[Salagubang]

Lord knows why they can't design an onboard flash with a tilting head. You can deflect the light from the onboard flash upward, to bounce off a ceiling - this Christmas I used a foil mince pie tray folded and attached to the flash with an elastic band.

and with a GN 33 output power = instant hit

[tabl10s]

and with a GN 33 output power = instant hit

With a GN that high, the batteries would be drained quicker than they do now while using the flash.

[kadajawi]

Yeah, it would be great if you could tilt the flash. That would make it much more usable.

[Lowell Goudge]

It isn't High-Speed-Sync capable. :P

Get an *istD, it is on that body

[Ash]

Not enough range to be useful for a tilt/swivel flash. It serves merely as a fill flash for close subjects. Any more lighting capability and an external source is necessary.

[ihasa]

Well the tinfoil reflector technique works for bounce-flash (in a pinch), so you'd expect a tiltable flash to be a little better!

[rbefly]

The problems with a built-in flash have been pretty well documented here. No tilt (without some sort of home-made gizmo), no diffuser (again, need some add-on, limited usefullness), very short range/output, low GN, uses camera battery power at an astonishing rate, etc.
But there are some options, without spending $500 (or even $400) on a Metz, Pentax 540, Sigma or other high-end flash.
For about $50.00 USD, you can pick up a used Pentax AF280T with tilt and swivel.
A Pentax AF 200fg is around $100-$130-no tilt or swivel. To fix that, a dedicated hotshoe cable (mine is a Vivitar FC-Pen, costs $30.00, works fine) allows you to put the light anywhere you want it within arm's length.
For $120-$150 used, a Pentax AF360fgz provides tilt but no swivel, rear-curtain sync, modelling light and other features. New, about $240.
The Chinese knock-offs have tilt and swivel (but are fully manual) for around $100.
Most of these would take up about the same room in your camera bag as another lens. For less than $200, you've greatly increased your options.
Ron