Good multi purpose flash for all my manual cameras?

[Ronald_H]

A while ago I bought a Nikon SB-30 as a small general purpose flash for my M2, Canonet, Nikon FM (and siblings) and Yashica Mat 124. It does great as a take anywhere flash but of course lacks power.

Now I would like to have something bigger to work with all of the above and my Hassy 500 C/M. I already have a Sigma EF-500 DG Super which can do a lot of tricks, but has no built in sensor.

So the list of wishes:

- Built in light sensor
- Manual adjustment of power level
- Slave capability
- Decent amount of power (like the Sigma)
- A reasonable price

The easiest way is probably to buy a Nikon SB-800 or 900 but I don't need that amount of tech. A bigger SB-30 with more power and a bit more control would be fine.

[ChrisN]

SB-28? Not sure how the power output compares with the 30, but I think it ticks all the boxes (excepting a built-in slave trigger, I think). I removed the extra control pins in the base, leaving just the centre pin that syncs with the hot shoe and radio triggers. But you could even remove that and just use a sync cord.

Edit - checked the specs at www.mir.com.my. The SB-28 has double the guide number for power output.

[Arjay]

Take a look at the Nikon SB-26. (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/flash/SB26/index.htm) This speedlight features aperture-based auto modes, light emission angle adjustment and manual power settings in multiple steps plus remote/slave mode.

This flash is not not in production any more, so you ought to look for it on ebay. Here's an interesting writeup on portable speedlights on the Strobist blog. (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-start-here.html)

[Spleenrippa]

Maybe you can take a look at the Yongnuo YN460 (MkI or II) or the new YN468... Excellent manual flashes that have been serving me quite well for the last couple years- and you can buy a couple of them for the same price of a Nikon/Canon/etc one.

[charjohncarter]

I have two Minolta 320x(s), they have everything you want. I got both for $25 (each) on ebay. Unlike cameras, flashes work when bought from ebay. The Minolta 320x is heavy so that may detour you, but any powerful flash is going to be heavy. I would be careful with this flash when using it on a digital camera though.