Not sure which flash to choose from under $100

aweir · 06-04-2008, 01:04 AM

I'm not new to photography but the selection of flashes is confusing.

I have a Pentax IST Ds and I will be photographing a wedding this month. I was considering getting a better flash but not sure which type would suit me best (dedicated, dedicated/slave, or slave)

My budget is around $100. I would like to stay under $75 if possible. So I was shopping around B&H and I have a selection to choose from. The issue I have is that flashes for digital Pentax seem to be EXTREMELY difficult to find because of the preflash function of the camera, and lack of PC connector. (TTL vs. p-ttl)

I am still learning about how this camera utilizes different flashes with different type lenses, and it's confusing. Basically I want a TTL slave flash, but with this would I have to go with a dedicated?

Excuse my ignorance, but will these work with the IST DS?> SunpakAuto 355 AF TTL Shoe Mount FlashSunpak | Auto 355 AF TTL Flash | 035P | B&H Photo Video

SunpakMZ-440AF TTL Shoe Mount FlashSunpak | MZ-440AF TTL Shoe Mount Flash | 0440P | B&H Photo Video

PentaxAF220T TTL Shoe Mount Flash
Pentax | AF220T TTL Shoe Mount Flash | 30307 | B&H Photo Video

BowerSFD829TW Digital Slave Twin Flash
Bower | SFD829TW Digital Slave Twin Flash | SFD829TW | B&H Photo

BowerSFD328 Digital Slave Flash
Bower | SFD328 Digital Slave Flash | SFD328 | B&H Photo Video

PhoenixD92-BZS Digital Slave Flash
Phoenix | D92-BZS Digital Slave Flash | P04219 | B&H Photo Video

stormdore · 06-04-2008, 06:48 AM

Hi, there! I'm looking around for an affordable flash as well. So, while I don't have an answer for your question, I'm interested to hear what others say.

Terri

Entropy · 06-04-2008, 07:22 AM

Some of the *ists did normal TTL. Most did not.

You will NOT find a P-TTL flash for under $100, and definately not one that performs as a wireless slave.

You can find auto thyristor flashes in that range though (Sunpak 383, Vivitar 285HV)

aweir · 06-04-2008, 11:48 AM

I've upped my budget to $200. I'm thinking either the

Pentax AF 360 FGZ

or the

Sigma EF-530 DG ST

Which one offers more features and do you think I can do any better for $200?

lbam · 06-06-2008, 04:29 AM

I got a used 360 on ebay for $130... (and it works lol )

**pentagor** · 06-06-2008, 04:57 AM

There is a Metz 48 AF-1 for $250 at B&H. I'm sure you can find it for less in the US.
It's great flash. I'll get one myself.

06-04-2008, 01:04 AM	#1
aweir Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 58	Not sure which flash to choose from under $100 I'm not new to photography but the selection of flashes is confusing. I have a Pentax IST Ds and I will be photographing a wedding this month. I was considering getting a better flash but not sure which type would suit me best (dedicated, dedicated/slave, or slave) My budget is around $100. I would like to stay under $75 if possible. So I was shopping around B&H and I have a selection to choose from. The issue I have is that flashes for digital Pentax seem to be EXTREMELY difficult to find because of the preflash function of the camera, and lack of PC connector. (TTL vs. p-ttl) I am still learning about how this camera utilizes different flashes with different type lenses, and it's confusing. Basically I want a TTL slave flash, but with this would I have to go with a dedicated? Excuse my ignorance, but will these work with the IST DS?> SunpakAuto 355 AF TTL Shoe Mount FlashSunpak \| Auto 355 AF TTL Flash \| 035P \| B&H Photo Video SunpakMZ-440AF TTL Shoe Mount FlashSunpak \| MZ-440AF TTL Shoe Mount Flash \| 0440P \| B&H Photo Video PentaxAF220T TTL Shoe Mount Flash Pentax \| AF220T TTL Shoe Mount Flash \| 30307 \| B&H Photo Video BowerSFD829TW Digital Slave Twin Flash Bower \| SFD829TW Digital Slave Twin Flash \| SFD829TW \| B&H Photo BowerSFD328 Digital Slave Flash Bower \| SFD328 Digital Slave Flash \| SFD328 \| B&H Photo Video PhoenixD92-BZS Digital Slave Flash Phoenix \| D92-BZS Digital Slave Flash \| P04219 \| B&H Photo Video

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06-04-2008, 06:48 AM	#2
stormdore Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, VA Posts: 35	Hi, there! I'm looking around for an affordable flash as well. So, while I don't have an answer for your question, I'm interested to hear what others say. Terri

06-04-2008, 07:22 AM	#3
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	Some of the *ists did normal TTL. Most did not. You will NOT find a P-TTL flash for under $100, and definately not one that performs as a wireless slave. You can find auto thyristor flashes in that range though (Sunpak 383, Vivitar 285HV)

06-04-2008, 11:48 AM	#4
aweir Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 58 Original Poster	I've upped my budget to $200. I'm thinking either the Pentax AF 360 FGZ or the Sigma EF-530 DG ST Which one offers more features and do you think I can do any better for $200?

06-06-2008, 04:29 AM	#5
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	I got a used 360 on ebay for $130... (and it works lol )

06-06-2008, 04:57 AM	#6
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	There is a Metz 48 AF-1 for $250 at B&H. I'm sure you can find it for less in the US. It's great flash. I'll get one myself.