Flashgun for Sony a200

[Deleted User]

I'm looking for a fairly decent flash for under £100 (as low as possible) for my cousin's camera.

She's still at school and would like to become a photographer. She has recently started to shadow a photographer who does weddings and needs to get a flashgun to brighten up her photos a little as the in-built flash isn't quite enough.

I've seen a couple but not sure if they're any good but would welcome any feedback and suggestions. I know a Sony would be much better but even 2nd hand they are £150+

The ones I've seen have mixed reviews -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VIVITAR-FLASH-VIV-DF-183-SON-SONY-SLR-ALPHA-CAMERAS-/300578553396?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item45fbe0be34

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Accessories/Flash/Flashguns/products/Jessops/360AFD%20Digital%20Flashgun%20for%20Sony-75165/Show.html

Can I also assume she'll need a hotshoe for the flash?

[Deleted User]

Anyone got any suggestions? Sorry about the bump, just trying to jump above some of the Microsoft phonecall threads.:j

andygb

Take a look at some of the photography forums, or Google the different kinds. The Jessops one seems to get OK reviews, which is what any flash unit under £100 will get.

patman99

I had an A200. Very good beginners cameras although they are not very good at auto-w/b. The Jessops flash will do fine. The only other alternative (and the method I used) was to buy a hotshoe adapter off the net for under a tenner, then you can use any flash on it.
The only downside being that you need to play with the various camera modes to see which will work and which won't.

If she decides to progress her photography into college, I will suggest an upgrade to a good 2nd-hand A700, I did this and it is a truely amazing camera. I can shoot in low-light or under tungsten or cfl bulbs and it still produces images that require little if any rework. Plus it has a proper sync-port for studio flash.

andygb

patman99 wrote: »

I had an A200. Very good beginners cameras although they are not very good at auto-w/b. The Jessops flash will do fine. The only other alternative (and the method I used) was to buy a hotshoe adapter off the net for under a tenner, then you can use any flash on it.
The only downside being that you need to play with the various camera modes to see which will work and which won't.

If she decides to progress her photography into college, I will suggest an upgrade to a good 2nd-hand A700, I did this and it is a truely amazing camera. I can shoot in low-light or under tungsten or cfl bulbs and it still produces images that require little if any rework. Plus it has a proper sync-port for studio flash.

I will second the "bigging up" of the A700, had mine for nearly three years now. Cannot see any point in moving systems, or even to full frame.
Loads of lens choices, they have formed the "Big 3" with Canon and Nikon.

lawrie28

Firstly, get her to join Talkphotography.co.uk

She'll get loads of advice.

Secondly, is a flashgun what she really needs?

A lens with a wide aperture - f1.4 (it lets more light in) will help her and be more use for weddings as flash often can't be used in the service itself.

A sony 50mm lens should be not much more than £100.

If you want a flashgun for her, then the jessops one wil be fine, but there is also a company called yongnuo that make some good ones too, but you'll need ot order online.

ask on talkphotography the same question and you will get lots more good advice.

andygb

lawrie28 wrote: »

Firstly, get her to join Talkphotography.co.uk

She'll get loads of advice.

Secondly, is a flashgun what she really needs?

A lens with a wide aperture - f1.4 (it lets more light in) will help her and be more use for weddings as flash often can't be used in the service itself.

A sony 50mm lens should be not much more than £100.

If you want a flashgun for her, then the jessops one wil be fine, but there is also a company called yongnuo that make some good ones too, but you'll need ot order online.

ask on talkphotography the same question and you will get lots more good advice.

That is good advice for a fast lens, but the 1.4 Sony will cost anything from £220 to £300. A better bet may be the Old Minolta AF 50 1.8 which you can get for around £70 and is more solidly built.

patman99

One thing I would say is that 2nd-hand Minolta/Konica glass beats Sony's lenses. My friend has an A350 and bought some old Minolta lenses and a Sigma and the picture quality is much improved.
He recently obtained a Konica DSLR which was the only one made before Minolta decided to abandon photography and sell to Sony.
This was the predeccessor to the A700 and he was so impressed, he has now given his A350 to his partner.