Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
05-02-2013, 10:12 AM   #1
Veteran Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NC
Photos: Albums
Posts: 322
A cheap flash for indoor/outdoor portraitures?

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.


Hello all!

I've recently received a few photography gigs--I did a friend's senior pictures recently, and I will be doing another friend's engagement photos.

I'm kind of inexperienced with portraiture, so I needed some advice:
I need an on-board fill flash & diffuser.

I did the senior pictures without one and fought with sunlight, etc. in PP. I'm looking to spend $25-$30 for something cheap that will get the job done (this is a hobby ).

I found this, and people seem to like it(?). I've seen many of these in my price range.

I'm not a strobist... will this work with my K-x? I understand that there are various hot shoe modules available (where to look?), but will this work natively?

05-02-2013, 10:42 AM   #2
Veteran Member




Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 3,206
The 422D works fine.

Or get one of these: link.

433D and 444D are 1/2 stop more powerful than 422D (GN of 120 vs 100).

Don't worry that they are not "dedicated" to Pentax.

If you want more details, search the forum for "sunpak 433D," "sunpak 444D," and "sunpak 422D" (4xxD models are very similar).

Edited to add: I've owned (then sold) more than a dozen of Sunpak 4xxD units (or clones); none of them is unsafe for Pentax DSLRs.

Last edited by SOldBear; 05-02-2013 at 10:48 AM.
05-02-2013, 10:43 AM   #3
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
Do be careful with older flash units, some of them have trigger voltages that can fry your camera. Ones designed for digital are usually OK.

Here is a link with some flash units listed: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages That one is listed as questionable, so if you buy it you should test it first.

Assuming it is safe, it will be all manual, so you will need to set the power. That is not a P-TTL flash.

One flash I have used on the k-x is the Pentax AF200T. It is manual, but does have a useable 'Auto' mode that is not bad. Not big or powerful but nice for fill at low power.
05-02-2013, 10:52 AM   #4
Veteran Member




Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 3,206
QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Assuming it is safe, it will be all manual, so you will need to set the power. That is not a P-TTL flash.
Sunpak 4xxD units are safe.

About operating modes, they all have auto mode with 3 aperture settings, and manual with 5 power ratio settings (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16). I prefer the Sunpak 4xxD to Pentax AF280T (2 aperture settings in auto, and 2 power ratio settings in manual).

05-02-2013, 12:46 PM   #5
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,352
Try to find a Pentax AF280T, it will serve you well and will not be very expensive.
05-03-2013, 07:44 PM   #6
Veteran Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NC
Photos: Albums
Posts: 322
Original Poster
Thank you all for your insight--definitely lets me know where to look! Looks like there's some cheap ones on eBay right now that will serve my needs...


Also, will a dirt-cheap diffuser accomplish my purposes? Are some better than others as far as effect/situations?
05-03-2013, 07:50 PM   #7
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: California, USA
Posts: 536
You can Google DIY flash bounce card.

05-09-2013, 07:39 AM   #8
Pentaxian
reeftool's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 9,543
I've seen diffusers made from old plastic milk containers and paper towels. Can't get much cheaper than that.
05-09-2013, 08:06 AM   #9
Veteran Member
joe.penn's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,902
QuoteOriginally posted by MikeS Quote
Hello all!

I've recently received a few photography gigs--I did a friend's senior pictures recently, and I will be doing another friend's engagement photos.

I'm kind of inexperienced with portraiture, so I needed some advice:
I need an on-board fill flash & diffuser.

I did the senior pictures without one and fought with sunlight, etc. in PP. I'm looking to spend $25-$30 for something cheap that will get the job done (this is a hobby ).

I found this, and people seem to like it(?). I've seen many of these in my price range.

I'm not a strobist... will this work with my K-x? I understand that there are various hot shoe modules available (where to look?), but will this work natively?

What lenses are you using? I am asking simply because you said "fill flash & diffuser" - flashing for fill (especially when talking portraiture) is totally different than lighting a scene with a flash. Your glass is the biggest variable here and your flash system needs to be built around that.
05-09-2013, 09:06 AM   #10
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: California, USA
Posts: 536
QuoteOriginally posted by reeftool Quote
I've seen diffusers made from old plastic milk containers and paper towels. Can't get much cheaper than that.
My homemade diffuser/bounce card cost no more than $1, works so nice on portrait and foods (no hot spots on greasily dishes)

05-09-2013, 09:17 AM   #11
Ash
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Ash's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toowoomba, Queensland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 23,920
Or just buy a cheap manual flash with bounce and swivel functions that enable you to soften the light from the flash using the walls and ceilings. The AF280T is a great unit if you can find one.
Diffusing the flash outdoors does need extra work, and to me, the most reliable way of doing this is via a shoot-through or reflective umbrella fitted on a light stand.
05-14-2013, 05:58 PM   #12
Veteran Member
slip's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,535
QuoteOriginally posted by Ash Quote
Or just buy a cheap manual flash with bounce and swivel functions that enable you to soften the light from the flash using the walls and ceilings.
This technique is much better than a diffuser mounted on your hotshoe flash

Cheers

Randy
05-14-2013, 07:24 PM - 1 Like   #13
Ash
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Ash's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toowoomba, Queensland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 23,920
What is even better is a remotely triggered off-camera flash diffused off-axis onto the subject. Also not an expensive venture, and can give great lighting anywhere, not just indoors.

DA* 16-50 on K20D with off-camera flash diffused with shoot-through umbrella
08-13-2013, 10:26 AM   #14
Senior Member




Join Date: May 2012
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 125
QuoteOriginally posted by Ash Quote
What is even better is a remotely triggered off-camera flash diffused off-axis onto the subject. Also not an expensive venture, and can give great lighting anywhere, not just indoors.

DA* 16-50 on K20D with off-camera flash diffused with shoot-through umbrella
Ash, I have K-30 and I am looking into purchasing YN 560iii + RF-603 Single 2.4GHz trigger, Would that do it to remotely trigger off-camera flash? What other accessories would be beneficial for me. I am very new to external flash photography/off camera photography. Thank you!
08-13-2013, 02:04 PM   #15
Ash
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Ash's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toowoomba, Queensland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 23,920
I'm not sure about that particular flash mod but most dedicated P-TTL flashes have the ability to be wirelessly triggered without the need for the radio trigger you mentioned. With the radio trigger, you can fire off any flash remotely, and have more range to do so than with the optical system (without the radio trigger).


Ash.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
flash, pictures, tripod
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need advise for a cheap manual flash telly0050 Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 3 03-16-2012 11:21 AM
Cheap Telephoto For Outdoor Sports olliedell Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 13 01-25-2012 09:26 AM
Architecture AKL indoor vs outdoor bryankknight Photo Critique 9 05-17-2011 12:09 AM
What setting on a flash for outdoor portraits? justtakingpics Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 8 04-12-2011 03:59 AM
What's a good, cheap lens for indoor, low light situations? mojoe_24 Pentax DSLR Discussion 31 01-19-2011 12:02 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:19 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top