From: Bradley (brad_at_antispamdomain.not)
Date: Tue Jun 24 2003 - 11:30:58 EDT
I have a 4500, but I've just gone through an extensive evaluation of
my options for an external flash, so I'll tell you what I've found
and where I ended up.
First of all, the flash itself. I wanted the highest guide number I
could (most powerful) so that I could get good pictures in that 30
foot range you mention. I'm surprised you can get even underexposed
pictures at 20'; not sure my 4500 is even that good! I try not to use
the internal flash for anything over 6-8 feet!
Nikon, of course, tells you that you have to use one of their flashes
or you'll blow the camera up<G>! And if you have enough coins in
your pocket, that's what I'd suggest. Great gear, just expensive!
But not for me. I kept shopping and finally decided on the Quantaray
9500A. It's got a guide number up in the range of the $300+ Nikon
speedlights but it only costs $120! Actually, $85 for the flash
unit, and $35 for the "personality" module that you choose based on
your camera. I bought the Nikon AF module, and it works fine.
Here's a link to Wolf Camera's web site.
http://www.wolfcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?
storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&langId=-
1&productId=30238&topCategory=1004&cat1=5849722
Next, you have to buy the sync cord. You have two choices here, both
Nikon; no option other than Nikon.
One choice: the sync cord and nothing else. The AS-E900. Here's a
link:
http://www.wolfcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?
storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&langId=-
1&productId=30387&topCategory=1004&cat1=1020&cat2=1578013
Next choice: the sync cord AND a bracket to mount your flash on; the
SK-E900.
http://www.wolfcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?
storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&langId=-
1&productId=30386&topCategory=1004&cat1=1020&cat2=1578013&prod1=30387
Don't get the SK-E900. I think it's the worst of all options. When I
got my Quantaray 9500A in, there was a slip of paper in the box
promoting Quantaray's flash bracket for $29, so I just bought it. It
won't work directly, but by drilling one hole I'll be able to use it
and I like the ergonomics of it. BUT (and this is a huge BUT), you
lose the ability to rotate the swivel which is a VERY useful and
often overlooked feature of this line of Coolpix cameras. But I plan
to get in my workshop and figure out a way around that. Here's a
link to it:
http://www.wolfcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?
storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=30236
I REALLY wanted the RX Flash Bracket, but it won't work on the 4500.
But it might on yours, so take a look at it. It lets you use the
swivel.
But I wish I had looked just a bit further, because just now I
discovered a web page that has info on flash brackets that work with
these cameras, and I see several alternatives that I probably would
have bought instead of my $29 Quantaray bracket. Go check out
http://www.rosensaft.com/ezra/cp_brackets.htm
(this guys site has lots of other good stuff, so look carefully at
the other pages also).
Hope this helps!
--- In NikonCoolPix_.at._yahoogroups.com, "w0zv" <w0zv_.at._y...> wrote:
> --- In NikonCoolPix_.at._yahoogroups.com, "Forrest Egan" <fegan_.at._b...>
> wrote:
>
> > - You probably don't have time, but an external flash would be
> highly
> > recommended. The built-in flash will reduce your battery life
> significantly
> > and doesn't have much power. It's not always easy to get close,
> and if you
> > want candid shots getting close can often make your subject aware
> of your
> > presence ruining the surprise.
>
> Forrest, you were spot-on about needing an external flash! The
995's
> intenal flash is supposedly good for ~30 feet, but using maximum
wide-
> angle at ~20 feet for group shots, most were underexposed. I've
been
> able to adjust exposure in post-processing somewhat but the
pictures
> definitely suffered from lack of light.
>
> Was I doing something wrong such that I was getting underexposures
at
> ~20 feet with the internal flash? I had it set to Program with
Flash
> On activated. I did not have a problem with battery life since I
had
> 2 EN-EL1's (did not need the 2CR5 I bought as backup).
>
> What external flash do you recommend for the 995 for 30-40 foot
> distances?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bill
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