Flash

cindaaalynnn · 02-04-2008, 03:43 AM

Hey! =D

I was wondering how do you guys decide on which flash to buy? When it comes to camera I know more about the body and about lens, but have little knowledge of flash. The reason I am asking is because I am interested in making a purchase and I'm not sure how to go about doing so.

My dad has the Vivitar 4600 System, but I'm not sure if it's compatible with my k10d. So if anyone knows that, if the 4600 would work with my k10d, that would be awesome.

But besides that, for future references, how do you decide which one to go with? What do you look for in a flash? what should I be looking for? What makes you pick one flash over another?

Thank you guys!!

Last edited by cindaaalynnn; 02-04-2008 at 04:16 PM.

Chako · 02-04-2008, 04:27 AM

I mainly stuck with a Pentax branded flash figuring that it would support fully the camera's features.

As for deciding, it was easy for me.

1. Price. I went with the cheaper 360 model simply because it was cheaper then the 540.
2. I didn't care for a rotating head. I rarely use it on my Canon flash guns, so it is a more or less useless feature for me. Besides, I can always use the ball head on my flash bracket to do that work.
3. Size. I preferred the 360's smaller footprint on the camera, not to mention the lighter weight.
4. Power. I didn't need the larger guide number that the 540 has.
5. Last but not least, flash features. I rarely use a lot of the built in features found in most modern flash guns. I rarely used rear curtain sync for example. So a lot of the bells and whistles go largely ignored. The same can be said for both Pentax flashes. I just want to basically light up a scene with proper exposure.

Sorry, I don't know if the 4600 would work with a Pentax camera.

Steinback · 02-07-2008, 12:39 AM

If you read through this post:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/18609-measuring...r-voltage.html

you should be able to figure out how to test your father's Vivitar 4600 to see if it's safe with your camera. I have no experience with that particular flash, so I can't answer the question directly.

I chose a Vivitar 285hv to go with my camera because it is powerful enough to cover my medium/long range lenses out to 70ft + in low light conditions, and I can dial the power down for closer photos as needed. The other major factor was cost, as the Pentax flashes cost several times more than I was willing to afford and I don't mind using a manual flash.

cindaaalynnn · 02-07-2008, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Steinback

If you read through this post:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/18609-measuring...r-voltage.html

you should be able to figure out how to test your father's Vivitar 4600 to see if it's safe with your camera. I have no experience with that particular flash, so I can't answer the question directly.

I chose a Vivitar 285hv to go with my camera because it is powerful enough to cover my medium/long range lenses out to 70ft + in low light conditions, and I can dial the power down for closer photos as needed. The other major factor was cost, as the Pentax flashes cost several times more than I was willing to afford and I don't mind using a manual flash.

Thank you! I'll be looking into that thread.

02-04-2008, 03:43 AM	#1
cindaaalynnn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 78	Flash Hey! =D I was wondering how do you guys decide on which flash to buy? When it comes to camera I know more about the body and about lens, but have little knowledge of flash. The reason I am asking is because I am interested in making a purchase and I'm not sure how to go about doing so. My dad has the Vivitar 4600 System, but I'm not sure if it's compatible with my k10d. So if anyone knows that, if the 4600 would work with my k10d, that would be awesome. But besides that, for future references, how do you decide which one to go with? What do you look for in a flash? what should I be looking for? What makes you pick one flash over another? Thank you guys!! Last edited by cindaaalynnn; 02-04-2008 at 04:16 PM.

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02-04-2008, 04:27 AM	#2
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563	I mainly stuck with a Pentax branded flash figuring that it would support fully the camera's features. As for deciding, it was easy for me. 1. Price. I went with the cheaper 360 model simply because it was cheaper then the 540. 2. I didn't care for a rotating head. I rarely use it on my Canon flash guns, so it is a more or less useless feature for me. Besides, I can always use the ball head on my flash bracket to do that work. 3. Size. I preferred the 360's smaller footprint on the camera, not to mention the lighter weight. 4. Power. I didn't need the larger guide number that the 540 has. 5. Last but not least, flash features. I rarely use a lot of the built in features found in most modern flash guns. I rarely used rear curtain sync for example. So a lot of the bells and whistles go largely ignored. The same can be said for both Pentax flashes. I just want to basically light up a scene with proper exposure. Sorry, I don't know if the 4600 would work with a Pentax camera.

02-07-2008, 12:39 AM	#3
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	If you read through this post: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/18609-measuring...r-voltage.html you should be able to figure out how to test your father's Vivitar 4600 to see if it's safe with your camera. I have no experience with that particular flash, so I can't answer the question directly. I chose a Vivitar 285hv to go with my camera because it is powerful enough to cover my medium/long range lenses out to 70ft + in low light conditions, and I can dial the power down for closer photos as needed. The other major factor was cost, as the Pentax flashes cost several times more than I was willing to afford and I don't mind using a manual flash.

02-07-2008, 04:06 PM	#4
cindaaalynnn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 78 Original Poster	Originally posted by Steinback If you read through this post: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/18609-measuring...r-voltage.html you should be able to figure out how to test your father's Vivitar 4600 to see if it's safe with your camera. I have no experience with that particular flash, so I can't answer the question directly. I chose a Vivitar 285hv to go with my camera because it is powerful enough to cover my medium/long range lenses out to 70ft + in low light conditions, and I can dial the power down for closer photos as needed. The other major factor was cost, as the Pentax flashes cost several times more than I was willing to afford and I don't mind using a manual flash. Thank you! I'll be looking into that thread.