Which flash to choose for the camera: 5 models

Nissin Di466

With a simple and compact Nissin Di466 flash, you can learn the basics of shooting with artificial pulsed light without a significant investment in equipment. Her forte is a balanced set of features that do not confuse a beginner.

The pulse dispersion angles cover the main range of focal lengths - 24-105 mm in terms of the full frame. The zoom is synchronized with the camera, there is no manual mode, the motor is fast enough and moderately quiet. A white plastic reflector and diffuser are built into the head.

The head is rotatable, however, the maximum angle is only 90°, the positions are discrete, and the axis is one. This is perhaps the main drawback of the Di466: if you turn the camera to portrait mode and direct the light to the ceiling, it will not work.

In automatic mode, the pulse power is regulated by the TTL system. Thanks to a correction system of up to +/- 1.5 steps in 0.5 steps, the electronically selected values can be quickly adapted to achieve the desired visual effect. There is also a permanent (until the next change) non-volatile error compensation up to +/- 0.75 in increments of +/- 0.25 steps.

In manual mode, six power settings are available (from 1 to 1/32), which, given the small guide number, is quite enough.

The Nissin Di466 has two options for working as a slave flash. The first "digital" provides triggering on the main pulse of the master flash (pre-flashes are skipped). The second, “analogue” option provides for triggering on the first impulse. The dispersion angle is automatically set to the equivalent of a 35 mm lens focal length, i.e. not the "broadest" meaning.

Intelligent energy saving system. After two minutes of inactivity in the role of the main or only flash falls asleep, and after 30 minutes it turns off. However, in slave mode, it does not fall asleep at all, but turns off after an hour of inactivity, which allows you to install the flash on a tripod or the included mini-stand and shoot calmly without thinking about the need to periodically “wake up” a remote light source.

Nissin Di466 as the first external flash is recommended for beginner photographers. It's easy to learn and gives you a taste of shooting with pulsed light.

Extra Digital DF-860

The Extra Digital DF-860 offers many of the top flashes from camera manufacturers at a very reasonable price.

The flash covers the main lens focal length range from 24mm to 105mm in 35mm frame equivalent. The built-in diffuser allows you to illuminate the space without significant vignetting for shooting with wide-angle lenses from 14 mm. Zooming is both automatic and manual.

The head is swivel in two planes, fixation is not provided, but the mechanism is discrete, with a well-felt click. When using TTL, the amount of light determined by the camera's automation can be adjusted depending on creative tasks up to +/- 3 steps in 1/3 steps. In manual mode, the pulse power is adjustable from 1 to 1/128 in 1/3 steps.

Extra Digital DF-860, in addition to single pulses, operates in strobe mode. The frequency is set from 1 to 90 flashes per second (adjustable from 1/4 to 1/128 power level to prevent overexposure of the scene).

As you know, it is possible to imagine the nature of scene illumination by a pulsed light source only approximately. To reduce the number of takes, studio flashes are equipped with a pilot - constant - source, and on-camera models - with a modeling light function. The DF-860 is capable of delivering a rapid burst of pulses for about a second, which the eye perceives almost as a steady stream of light.

Since heat is generated during the emission and during the operation of the electronic circuit, the flash may overheat. To prevent it from failing, the DF-860 has a protection system that warns the photographer to pause (until the pointer disappears from the indicator) or reduce the pulse power to 1/4 power.

An external power source is connected to the DF-860, while the batteries installed in the body serve the zoom mechanism and electronics, and the capacitors are charged from the energy of an additional battery. The flash can work as a slave in a system of three groups and be controlled by one of four channels. Naturally, there is a simple light synchronization (two options).

If you're looking for a flash that's powerful and functional with advanced creative lighting capabilities, the Extra Digital DF-860 might be a great option.

Sigma EF 610 DG Super

Since the market is dominated by Canon and Nikon cameras, many alternative flash manufacturers are targeting them. How to be owners of devices of other brands? Sigma comes to the rescue: its EF 610 DG Super model also works with Sony, Pentax and, of course, Sigma.

The build quality is really high. The head is swivel, the angles are discrete. To avoid accidental changes in the position of the head , independent push-buttons are provided for each of the two axes - an advantage or disadvantage depends on the style of work.

In TTL mode, the camera sets the flash power automatically. If desired, the photographer can adjust the power level by +/- 2 stops in 1/2 increments. In manual mode, the minimum power is 1/64, and the step is 1/2 stop, which, given the large guide number, seems insufficient for fine-tuning the lighting picture in a small studio.

The EF 610 DG Super flash can be used by the camera as an AF illuminator. The strobe makes up to 90 flashes at a frequency of 1-100 Hz.

The EF 610 DG Super is capable of acting as both a slave and a master flash. A choice of control channels is available, but if you need to remotely control the parameters of multiple flashes, consider other suggestions from our Top 5.

When buying, be sure to specify the full name of the model. Sigma has a flash Sigma EF 610 DG ST , which is significantly cheaper. It's just as powerful, but less intelligent and customizable.

The Sigma EF 610 DG Super will be a reliable light source for photographers who are disillusioned with the quality of Chinese products. For the proud inscription "Made in Japan" you can forgive a long recharge time and a basic set of functions.

Meike Speedlite MK-950

The Meike Speedlite MK-950 has a very enticing spec and price tag. Chinese companies are always ready to help a photographer with a very limited low-cost.

This is a fairly large outbreak, although not the most severe. The head rotates in two planes, the slope is discrete. There is a position of -7 ° to the optical axis of the lens. However, position fixing is not provided, so using light modifiers will not be so easy.

Adjusting the focal length of the lens can be either automatic or manual. Standard range - 24-105 mm. Reflector and diffuser included.

The electronics work according to the algorithms for determining exposure with a prepulse; in manual mode, the power changes from 1 to 1/128 steps. In addition to single pulses, the flash can produce a series within the exposure of one frame, i.e. create a strobe effect. Sorry, high speed sync is not supported. Continuous shooting will not work either, the recharge time with good batteries is about 3 seconds.

The MK-950 supports first and second curtain sync.

Push-button control, backlit screen. The flash is able to assist the camera when focusing in low light conditions.

In slave mode, the MK-950 is synchronized only by light pulses (two types), as well as by cable, through a standard PC connector. There are no limits on the number of flashes in the system. Radio sync will appear when using the appropriate accessories.

Recharging speed and reliability can be increased by connecting an external battery pack (sold separately).

Meike has been producing this model for several years, at first the quality situation was not the best, but after making changes, it turned out to be a fairly stable product.

Meike Speedlite MK-950 will be an interesting option for photographers who are just starting their professional career, which does not allow them to set high prices for services, for occasional shooters who are not ready to purchase expensive accessories, and also as a spare flash.

Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2

To justify the price comparable to branded models, the engineers of the German company Metz have to make a lot of efforts. As a result of competition, buyers win, getting a choice between a big name and additional features. Mecablitz 58 AF-2 takes it with functionality.

The first thing that catches your eye is an additional lamp under the swivel head. It allows you to improve (both quantitatively and qualitatively) the illumination of the shooting object in the “head works on reflection from the ceiling or modifier” scheme. The power of its pulse is also regulated through the menu.

Turning the flash with the rear panel, you immediately notice the difference in the approach to control. This is the only model in our Top 5 (and one of the few on the market) that implements the principle of changing the assignment of buttons and indicating the current function on the matrix LCD screen.

The workmanship and body materials are in line with the price range of the product.

In addition to TTL and manual power control, the Mecablitz 58 AF-2 is capable of operating in automatic mode, independently determining the amount of light depending on the aperture set on the lens and the sensitivity of the matrix. This will be appreciated by the owners of the old, chipless, optics. There is a correction up to +/- 3 steps in 1/3 steps, in manual mode the minimum power is 1/256 of the nominal.

In strobe mode, the flash can fire from 2 to 50 flashes at a rate of 1 to 50 per second. There is an autofocus illuminator and a modeling light. Continuous shooting is possible with the appropriate cameras.

The flash works in creative lighting systems both as a master (control pulses are emitted by an additional lamp and they do not affect the exposure of the frame), and as a slave.

Mecablitz 58 AF-2 supports external battery pack. In this case, you do not need to insert batteries or batteries into the flash itself.

The flash software can be updated by yourself, there is a USB interface for connecting to a computer.

The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 should appeal to German down-to-earth photographers looking to get more for every penny invested. This flash, thanks to the additional lamp and interface features, really outperforms models from camera manufacturers.