How to Choose a Flash for DSLR

How to Choose a Flash for DSLR ? Well, there are few points need to know apart from the set budget, which can help choosing a right flash for your DSLR camera. We write the articles on our topics in a hierarchical pattern. Those who are regular readers, they understand and correlate the topic faster than a new visitor. This is what our analytics is saying. How to Choose a Flash for DSLR depends on the usage and obviously the budget.

How to Choose a Flash for DSLR : Introduction

Far from being essential, especially in recent years with the ability to do more and more with a limit with ISO, external flash unit provides a powerful artificial light to shoot when the lighting conditions are bad. With a xenon flash tube, the light from a flash is more or less similar to daylight (approximately of 6000K) and is very short : it can freeze a moving subject. The use of flash can however be very useful in full sun to unclog unsightly shadows and the flash becomes a simple fill-in flash. Unlike the built-in flash which is very limited in usage, a flashgun when well used can make a big plus to your photos: whether at the rendering quality or from the creative point of view.

So, How to Choose a Flash for DSLR making it mandatory to know the basics we wrote before; which we were referring as the regular readers of our website has more grasp on :

• External Flash Unit of Digital Camera
• Hot Shoe Mounting System of Digital Camera for External Flash
• Flash Synchronization in Digital Photography
• Color Temperature in Digital Photography

How to Choose a Flash for DSLR

Flash output : The flash output is characterized by the Guide Number (GN). A figure is usually available from a formula and it is calculated for ISO 100.

For example, with a Canon 24-70 F2.8 L and 430EX (guide number is 43 @ ISO 100) according to the manufacturer, you can get a good light with the flash and the lens until a distance of : 43 / 2.8 = 15.35, a good light up to 15 meters. If you change the ISO from 100, you need to multiply it with ? (ISO / 100).
 

Flash coverage : Flash coverage determines the aspects, specially the angle which will be covered by the light. Some flashes are equipped with an automatic system that detect the size of the sensor (APS-C, APS-H, or 24 x 36), the ISO and focal length used to obtain the optimal coverage. With this type of technology, makes the use of a flash simplified : just start up the flash and everything is automatic.

Recycling time : This is the time (in seconds) it takes for the flash to be available again.

Others : There are many important other points, but the above are very very important. Flash with the presence of a LCD screen facilitates the use of the advanced features. The flash sync speed is the shutter speed the photographer can not exceed for a properly exposed shot. Some models allow direct the flash head in all directions, a prerequisite for using your flash for indirect lighting bouncing it from a ceiling or a white wall.

Usually people suggests to go for Canon 430EX II Flash for Canon DSLRs. You can look for other models as well.
 

Flash coverage :