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Looking for external flash recommendations for Nikon Coolpix 5700 camera
Good morning, all!
I'm in the market for a replacement for my Vivitar 728 external flash that I've been using with my Nikon 5700. The Vivitar suddenly & mysteriously just stopped charging a few days ago so it can no longer be used. I would appreciate some make and model recommendations as to what flash I should buy now. Here are my requirement: 1) electrically compatible with the Nikon 5700, meaning that it will attach to the 5700's flash shoe and take firing signals from the 5700 but is voltage compatible so it doesn't fry the Nikon. NO communication as to exposure or focus is expected or wanted (my current Vivitar can do TTL auto exposure and auto focus but only with a Nikon DSLR). 2) Very simple flash, no fancy frills or feature. No controls required beyond a handy guide number chart to set exposure manually 3) Guide Number 90-100 4) Price: under US$100 5) Tilting flash head from 0 to 90 degrees from horizontal 6) Nice-to-have: extendable flash head and fresnel lens to put light out at correct angle depending on camera's zoom lens. e.g., my current Vivitar can be set from 28mm to 85mm (35mm equivalent). 7) Reliable! Can't belive my Vivitar went south in only 3 months! It looks like the battery contacts inside the flash are intermittent so no juice gets to the electronics anymore. If there are important features that my Nikon 5700 can use that I should be aware of, please tell me what to look for. Thanks for any and all help. -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#2
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All Things Mopar wrote in
: I would appreciate some make and model recommendations as to what flash I should buy now. Here are my requirement: I've always had good luck and good results with SunPak flashes. The last one I bought is probably 15 years old. I have one with a Nikon dedicated module, but they make them in non dedicated versions too, if that's what you want, and it's pretty easy to "undedicate" an off brand module by pulling the extra pins out of it ;-) You can get a 433d for $76 at B&H. GN 120, tilt and swivel head, adjustable power. For $20 more you can get a 444D which has a manual push pull frensel lens and optional AC power (but seems to otherwise be the same unit). I have a 433D that I got used at a camera store for about $15. Works great. Bob |
#3
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All Things Mopar wrote in
: I would appreciate some make and model recommendations as to what flash I should buy now. Here are my requirement: I've always had good luck and good results with SunPak flashes. The last one I bought is probably 15 years old. I have one with a Nikon dedicated module, but they make them in non dedicated versions too, if that's what you want, and it's pretty easy to "undedicate" an off brand module by pulling the extra pins out of it ;-) You can get a 433d for $76 at B&H. GN 120, tilt and swivel head, adjustable power. For $20 more you can get a 444D which has a manual push pull frensel lens and optional AC power (but seems to otherwise be the same unit). I have a 433D that I got used at a camera store for about $15. Works great. Bob |
#4
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bob commented courteously ...
I've always had good luck and good results with SunPak flashes. The last one I bought is probably 15 years old. I have one with a Nikon dedicated module, but they make them in non dedicated versions too, if that's what you want, and it's pretty easy to "undedicate" an off brand module by pulling the extra pins out of it ;-) Hi, Bob. I assume you'd recommend I get the Nikon version for the least in problems, right? You can get a 433d for $76 at B&H. GN 120, tilt and swivel head, adjustable power. For $20 more you can get a 444D which has a manual push pull frensel lens and optional AC power (but seems to otherwise be the same unit). What's "B&H"? I can't honestly say I saw that much difference with the pull-out fresnel lens thingie. Have you used this to advantage with your camera? Thanks for the info. -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#5
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bob commented courteously ...
I've always had good luck and good results with SunPak flashes. The last one I bought is probably 15 years old. I have one with a Nikon dedicated module, but they make them in non dedicated versions too, if that's what you want, and it's pretty easy to "undedicate" an off brand module by pulling the extra pins out of it ;-) Hi, Bob. I assume you'd recommend I get the Nikon version for the least in problems, right? You can get a 433d for $76 at B&H. GN 120, tilt and swivel head, adjustable power. For $20 more you can get a 444D which has a manual push pull frensel lens and optional AC power (but seems to otherwise be the same unit). What's "B&H"? I can't honestly say I saw that much difference with the pull-out fresnel lens thingie. Have you used this to advantage with your camera? Thanks for the info. -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#6
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bob commented courteously ...
You can get a 433d for $76 at B&H. GN 120, tilt and swivel head, adjustable power. For $20 more you can get a 444D which has a manual push pull frensel lens and optional AC power (but seems to otherwise be the same unit). Hi, Bob. I Googled for 'sunpak 433d' and came up with a number of sites that sell it. I also went to Sunpak's web site. It's strange to me that Sunpak neither sells directly nor has very good info on their products. There was scarcely more info that you'd provided me on the 433D. Anyway, based on what I learned and your recommendation, I searched for the best price and came up with http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/. Interestingly, when the order confirmation came to me it was called "B & H" but had the other URL. Thanks a bunch for your help. -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#7
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bob commented courteously ...
You can get a 433d for $76 at B&H. GN 120, tilt and swivel head, adjustable power. For $20 more you can get a 444D which has a manual push pull frensel lens and optional AC power (but seems to otherwise be the same unit). Hi, Bob. I Googled for 'sunpak 433d' and came up with a number of sites that sell it. I also went to Sunpak's web site. It's strange to me that Sunpak neither sells directly nor has very good info on their products. There was scarcely more info that you'd provided me on the 433D. Anyway, based on what I learned and your recommendation, I searched for the best price and came up with http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/. Interestingly, when the order confirmation came to me it was called "B & H" but had the other URL. Thanks a bunch for your help. -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#8
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Ed Ruf commented courteously ...
What's "B&H"? A very reputable store in Manhattan that has decent prices. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Thanks, Ed. B & H must have an alter ego. As I mentioned just now in a reply to Bob, I wound up buying the Sunpak 433D from http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/, but when the order confirmation came to me, it said "B & H". -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#9
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Ed Ruf commented courteously ...
What's "B&H"? A very reputable store in Manhattan that has decent prices. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Thanks, Ed. B & H must have an alter ego. As I mentioned just now in a reply to Bob, I wound up buying the Sunpak 433D from http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/, but when the order confirmation came to me, it said "B & H". -- ATM, aka Jerry Rivers "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity!" - Hanlon's Razor Delete the reverse SPAM to reply by E-mail |
#10
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All Things Mopar wrote in
: Anyway, based on what I learned and your recommendation, I Hi Jerry, I think you'll be happy with your 433 when you get it. I've been using my 433 quite a bit recently. Mostly I leave it at the wide setting. I think it difuses the light a little, making it less harsh. The flip up bounce card is handy. It makes a big difference, although if you don't have a ceiling to bounce off of, the range is pretty limited. Mostly I leave it set at the blue star ("ttl"), which works pretty well most of the time. I always look at the image on the LCD to see if it's reasonable or not. I use NiCd rechargables in mine, which seem to perform well, despite warnings to the contrary. Always make sure the flash is completely mounted to the camera. If it's not pushed all the way into the shoe it won't fire. Bob |
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