Originally posted by frogoutofwater (And I know I should go read up on the subject on Strobist ...)
Yep.
If you want a simple, (I don't want to think about it) on camera flash system then get the Pentax flash or a Metz equivalent, which might be a little cheaper.
But if you are doing off camera creative flash then there are far cheaper solutions. In general off camera flash will be all manual. So you will have to learn a bit about exposure and do some practice and trial and error. You will need a radio trigger system and some flashguns, there are many different companies making solutions. I use
Cactus v5 triggers, but there are many others. Since it is all manual, the actual flash gun can be just about anything, lots of folks like the Yongnuo ones. I have three old Pentax AF200Ts and a Nikon SB-26, all of them together plus the triggers cost way less than the new Pentax flash.
I use almost 100% off camera flash with a variety of flash guns and studio strobes. It all depends on what you want to achieve. If you are setting up for portraits in a studio setting then strobes with softboxes or beauty dishes are good. If you are going to be more mobile then flash guns on an umbrella reflector stand might be better. Lighting is a gadget lovers dream, there are so many different bits of kit it is mind boggling.
In any case you should look at:
- How am I going to trigger the flash? wireless triggers, optical triggers, P-TTL cable?
- How are you going to direct the light? umbrella, soft box, reflector, grids?
- How are you going to power the lights? A/C voltage or batteries?
- Do you want to use small flash guns (strobist style) or studio strobes?
- What budget do you have?