Best Flashes Overall

Analyzing reviews from 37 Sites…

42 out of 194 products found

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Overall Amateurs Digital Fast Shutter Speed Portraits More ▼

Durability Ease Of Use Features Fill Light High Performance Portability Recycle Time Reliability Size Wedding Weight

For Overall, people talk about

compact
many features
easy to use
good durability

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Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash

$560.00 Est. at Amazon

from "Mark", www.adorama.com
amateurs be warned, this is not a small or light flash unit, but it performs.
from "Bothlees", www.adorama.com
two professionals recommended this flash and i am glad i took it!
from "Mark", www.adorama.com
i bought this flash to compliment my 430ex and command it as a slave to be part of a mobile studio setup.
from "OldDrummer", www.adorama.com
i am using the 580 ex ii as a master with a 550 ex as a slave for a portable portrait setup for school, proms, etc.
from "John", www.adorama.com
much easier to mount on the camera and the head that rotates both directions by pressing a single button is great for going from landscape to portrait mode.

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Positives: Many Features, Compact, Easy To Use

2 RECOMMENDED by 146 people for OVERALL

NIKON SU-800 Speedlight Commander Flash

$252.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.adorama.com
it is wonderful having a "portable studio" without wires or bulky battery packs.
from www.adorama.com
the su-800 equivalent in studio lighting is the wonderful pocket wizard.
from www.amazon.com
i've used it in conjunction as a bounce flash, fill flash and trigger flash for 120v studio strobes that have integrated optical triggers.
from www.amazon.com
it has allowed me to get studio like shots (to an extent) without having to use those giant studio flashes that cost thousands of dollars.
from www.amazon.com
it is interesting to see the variations of shadows and light in a portrait pose simply by moving the flash relative to the subject.

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Positives: Easy To Use, Many Features, Compact, Power Source: Battery Pack

3 RECOMMENDED by 105 people for OVERALL

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

$347.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
it produces much more natural colors, and no ugly shadows when bouncing the flash off the ceiling thanks to the swivel (portrait or landscape, or anywhere in between), as opposed to the built in flash
from www.amazon.com
it tends to overexpose things closer to the lens in portrait type scenes.
from www.amazon.com
i have used it both in the studio and as fill light outdoors.
from www.amazon.com
just put it on your canon digital camera, turn it on, wait a few seconds and then you can take great photos.
from www.amazon.com
my wife and i are novices when it comes to photography.

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Positives: Many Features, Compact, Easy To Use, Hot Shoe Mount

4 RECOMMENDED by 60 people for OVERALL

Olympus FL-50 TTL Flash

$513.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
summary: if you have an olympus four-thirds system digital slr camera, this is the flash to buy for it.
from www.amazon.com
expensive for an amateur like me, but worth it after my first photo shoot.
from www.amazon.com
you will own not just a speedlight but a portable studio strobe - with ttl metering - and you'll never go anywhere without the hv-1 / fl-50 combination.
from www.amazon.com
now with the very easy to set up fl-50r's i can use studio type lighting for my wedding formals.
from www.amazon.com
i now own three of these and recently used them along with gary fong lightspheres to create an instant pet portrait studio.

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Positives: Compact, Many Features, Easy To Use, Type: Regular Flash

5 RECOMMENDED by 11 people for OVERALL

EF-530 DG Super

$214.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
i use it for fill flash when i have low light on bird photos.
from www.amazon.com
in a little over 90 minutes, the flash happily illuminated some 300 portrait shots using the flash and a milagrid bouncegrid ii (bg-2) as a diffuser.
from www.amazon.com
i do wonder in retrospect whether a flash like the sigma 530, canon 580ii, or metz 58 would have been sufficent also for use with a shoot through umbrella for small groups of family portraits.
from www.amazon.com
i would recommend this flash to a beginner like me as a hands on unit then you can just upgrade later on.
from www.amazon.com
the menus on the digital readout arent great, but all the info is there.

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Positives: Nice Durability, Easy To Use, With Bounce, Hot Shoe Mount

Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER

$214.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
i do wonder in retrospect whether a flash like the sigma 530, canon 580ii, or metz 58 would have been sufficent also for use with a shoot through umbrella for small groups of family portraits.
from www.amazon.com
in a little over 90 minutes, the flash happily illuminated some 300 portrait shots using the flash and a milagrid bouncegrid ii (bg-2) as a diffuser.
from www.amazon.com
i would recommend this flash to a beginner like me as a hands on unit then you can just upgrade later on.
from www.amazon.com
there are not nearly enough options on the flash to really use it for professional situations.
from www.amazon.com
i use it for fill flash when i have low light on bird photos.

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Positives: Nice Durability, Many Features, Compact, With Bounce

Sigma EF-530 DG Super Electronic Flash

$369.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
i use it for fill flash when i have low light on bird photos.
from www.amazon.com
in a little over 90 minutes, the flash happily illuminated some 300 portrait shots using the flash and a milagrid bouncegrid ii (bg-2) as a diffuser.
from www.amazon.com
i do wonder in retrospect whether a flash like the sigma 530, canon 580ii, or metz 58 would have been sufficent also for use with a shoot through umbrella for small groups of family portraits.
from www.amazon.com
i would recommend this flash to a beginner like me as a hands on unit then you can just upgrade later on.
from www.amazon.com
there are not nearly enough options on the flash to really use it for professional situations.

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Positives: Nice Durability, Easy To Use, With Bounce, Dedication: Dedicated

Canon Speedlite 220EX TTL Flash

$140.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.pricegrabber.com
one can choose to use it in fully automatic mode or canon's e-ttl mode to sync with the camera's shutter speed.
from ML Graham from Willowbrook, IL, clickfrom.buy.com
it is ideal for use with zoom lenses which produce a shadow from the pop-up flash and for fill flash in varied conditions such as macro in very contrasting or low light conditions.
from www.pricegrabber.com
(edited july 12th by golomb) i'm somewhat new to slr digital photography.
from www.pricegrabber.com
summary: (edited july 12th by golomb) i'm somewhat new to slr digital photography.
from www.thenerds.net
summary: i'm somewhat new to slr digital photography.

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Positives: Compact, Great Durability, Many Features, Type: Regular Flash

Kodak P20 Flash

$139.00 Est. at Amazon

from Doug from New Berlin, WI, clickfrom.buy.com
4 because is it really worth $100-$150 - my pictures will be much better, but all things considered, unless you are as fussy as i was to get better flash / fill pictures especially portraits, it may
from www.adorama.com
describe yourself: casual user pros: easy to use, lightweight, strong construction best uses: fill flash, lighting, photography
from www.adorama.com
for a beginner, this flash is just the ticket!!
from Bob from Pennsylvania, clickfrom.buy.com
if you want professional results, buy this as soon as you can.
from www.adorama.com
describe yourself: hobbyist/enthusiast pros: consistent output, lightweight, strong construction cons: slow recycling

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Positives: Many Features, Compact, Excellent Durability, Type: Regular Flash

Sony HVL-F56AM Digital Camera Flash

$265.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
the sony a 100 is a solid perfomer, and it is my fourth sony digital camera.
from www.amazon.com
sure it has a plastic hot shot, can you ever imagine a camera company will make their top notch and professional flash with a plastic hot shoe?
from www.amazon.com
although this fine lens is optically based on the famous contax carl zeiss 85mm f1.4, its digital performance is more reminiscent of a medium telephoto lens, than that of a fast portrait (short
from www.amazon.com
the high-speed flash synch is a blessing to anyone wishing to do outdoor portraits, and wishing to use a large aperture to put the background out of focus.
from www.amazon.com
enough to set up your own lighting studio for excellent images.

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Positives: Easy To Use, Lightweight, Many Features, Type: Regular Flash

Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash

$336.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.adorama.com
that's a very good product for a beginner with eoscamera pros: simple controls cons: flimsy construction best uses: home, travel
from www.bestbuy.com
when use as a slave it helps me turn my living room into a studio.
from www.buydig.com
it is, in my opinion, the best flash for the digital rebel/digital rebel xt.
from www.buydig.com
summary: just snap it on your canon digital camera and take really good pictures without worry.
from "PigDesignStudio[@]", www.adorama.com
this flash works pretty well ...i am using it on my canon digital rebel xti and it works great...

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Positives: Compact, Easy To Use, Many Features, Type: Regular Flash

Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight

$159.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.bhphotovideo.com
as an amateur photographer i'd highly recommend this nikon product.
from "Kevin", www.bhphotovideo.com
the only drawback is that it doesn't swivel, so you can't bounce the flash when shooting in portrait orientation.
from www.buydig.com
summary: i wasn't certain if i would need a speedlight with my d50, but after reading up on it and seeing some pictures online, i was convinced that it would help improve my photos.
from "Bill", www1.cameraworld.com
my photos were much more natural when i bouncened it off the ceiling with the speed light.
from www.crutchfield.com
it also can fill flash outdoors to over 15 feet, which helped a lot taking pictures of hummingbirds in flgiht, which i couldn't do nearly as well without the sb-400.

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Positives: Compact, Easy To Use, Many Features, Dedication: Not Dedicated

SONY HVL-F42AM.CEA TTL Flash

$260.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
I used this flash for party.
from www.amazon.com
I'm brand new to slr photography, but I knew I needed a good flash.
from www.amazon.com
So I'm just getting started into photography and I own the Sony A300 and just recently bought the flash, It's amazing!
from www.amazon.com
This flash has taken my photography to new levels.
from www.amazon.com
This is a kick-ass little strobe that I wish I could use on my other cameras.

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Positives: Easy To Use, Many Features, Compact, Power Source: 4 x AA Batteries

Canon HF-DC1

$127.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.nextag.com
i like it so much i am buying another one and using them like having a studio flash one on each side of the subject in addition to the direct one on the camera.
from Steve from Hillsborough, New Jersey, clickfrom.buy.com
i tried to save money by buying a sunpak slave that was triggered (like the hf-dc1) by the camera's built in flash and was supposed to work with all digital cameras but it failed to work with the s3.
from www.amazon.com
also, keep the diffuser and hold it with your hand if you must but use it to take better portraits, the flash is simply to much and this will make your portraits much better (look at the skin tones
from www.amazon.com
turn it off or use it on minimum when using it for portraits since it may lighten too much the subjects' faces.
from www.amazon.com
using it my s2is set on tv, i set the shutter speed at about 1/60 with the iso at100, i was able to stand in the 3rd row seats which put me about 40'-50' from center of stage.

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Positives: Compact, Many Features, Easy To Use, Type: Regular Flash

RPS Studio Stealth Flash Bracket

$90.00 Est. at Amazon

from lt.dell.com
i know it's designed for macro use, but i've been using it for portraits and get a truly stunning, evenly lit picture (if you leave the lite on the lens).
from www.amazon.com
turn it off or use it on minimum when using it for portraits since it may lighten too much the subjects' faces.
from www.amazon.com
using it my s2is set on tv, i set the shutter speed at about 1/60 with the iso at100, i was able to stand in the 3rd row seats which put me about 40'-50' from center of stage.
from www.amazon.com
i tried to save money by buying a sunpak slave that was triggered (like the hf-dc1) by the camera's built in flash and was supposed to work with all digital cameras, but it failed to work with my
from www.amazon.com
except for the high price, i would recommend it to anyone who has a canon powershot digital camera.i did not rate it 5 stars because i beleive it is unnecessarily overpriced.

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Positives: Compact, Many Features, Easy To Use

Nikon R1C1 Flash

$810.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
the accompanying instruction book is very complicated & hard to understand (for a novice).
from www.adorama.com
describe yourself: professional pros: consistent output, fast recycling, lightweight, versatile best uses: fill flash, lighting, macro photography, photojournalism
from www.amazon.com
i'm not a professional photographer so i'll leave the more thorough product reviews to those that are.
from www.amazon.com
Excelent equipment as usual from Nikon.
from www.amazon.com
If you have a D40, or D70 & some other models then the R1C1 is needed.

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Positives: Easy To Use, Good Reliability, Many Features, Type: Regular Flash

Nikon Speedlight SB-600 TTL Flash

$180.00 Est. at Amazon

from shopping.msn.com
i believe most of us won't go wrong by choosing it, unless you do really advanced lighting studio work.
from www.adorama.com
it does a nice job of softening the light for portraits especially.
from shopping.msn.com
second, the flash does not allow for simultaneous use of the built-in speed light along with it (like the 50dx does).
from shopping.msn.com
i'm using it with a film slr so i can't take advantage of all the features until i get a digital.
from www.ritzcamera.com
4 ni-mh digital camera aa's powered it well over 150 flashes without them showing a sign of dying.

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Positives: Many Features, Easy To Use, Compact, Type: Regular Flash

Nikon Sb-900 Speedlight Unit Flash

$373.00 Est. at Amazon

from "Vic", www1.photoalley.com
i use with nikon cls and have replaced all my studio stobes with sb-900s.
from "kendude62", www1.photoalley.com
but does a much better job then any flash i've come across.great for weddings, and professional sport events.
from www.crutchfield.com
this flash has enough options to make the professional happy, and easy enough (right out of the box) so that they everyday user gets quality results.
from www.amazon.com
i have also been experimenting with it for studio type lighting and it definitely can hold its own in that usage too!
from www.amazon.com
pre-flashes coordinate light at the time of exposure, and i've gotten some great photos with it, particularly portraits.

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Positives: Compact, Easy To Use, Many Features, Dedication: Dedicated

Sigma EF-530 DG Super

$217.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
great for all those "portrait" moments that you want to keep.
from www.amazon.com
in a little over 90 minutes, the flash happily illuminated some 300 portrait shots using the flash and a milagrid bouncegrid ii (bg-2) as a diffuser.
from www.amazon.com
i would recommend this flash to a beginner like me as a hands on unit then you can just upgrade later on.
from www.amazon.com
this is a good flash with many advance features which can only be found in a high end and expensive unit.
from www.amazon.com
but if you are a beginner this is a really powerful basic flash for the money.

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Positives: Easy To Use, Great Durability, Good Reliability, With Bounce

Canon MT-24EX TTL Ring Light Flash

$737.00 Est. at Amazon

from www.amazon.com
i am an amature hobbyist photographer and i purchased this flash last summer and have used it extensively for my outdoor macro work.
from www.amazon.com
there's a bit of a learning curve -- but when i tried manually setting the aperature (f22 is my lens's "sweet spot") and a shutter speed of 1/200 -- iso 100 -- all of the exposures were perfect,
from www.amazon.com
there are times when i have to capture moving subjects, and the high speed sync function works great when you need to push a faster shutter speed but still keep the fill flash ability.
from www.amazon.com
after years of manual flash macro work, recently in digital format with extension tubes on the canon 100mm macro lens, i decided to cast a onsiderable sum of money at this twin light.
from www.amazon.com
i ame a newbie to macro photography and just love this flash.

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Positives: Great Durability, Type: Ring Light, Dedication: Dedicated, Hot Shoe Mount

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Electronics

Flashes

Best Flashes Overall

Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash

NIKON SU-800 Speedlight Commander Flash

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

Olympus FL-50 TTL Flash

EF-530 DG Super

Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER

Sigma EF-530 DG Super Electronic Flash

Canon Speedlite 220EX TTL Flash

Kodak P20 Flash

Sony HVL-F56AM Digital Camera Flash

Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash

Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight

SONY HVL-F42AM.CEA TTL Flash

Canon HF-DC1

RPS Studio Stealth Flash Bracket

Nikon R1C1 Flash

Nikon Speedlight SB-600 TTL Flash

Nikon Sb-900 Speedlight Unit Flash

Sigma EF-530 DG Super

Canon MT-24EX TTL Ring Light Flash

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