Photographers:Cheap...
 

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[Closed] Photographers:Cheap Chinese flashguns off eBay??

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Just getting back in time mtb photography after a break of a few years and I've got a Panasonic LX3 "advanced" compact with a shitty little built in flash but it does have a hotshot and is capable of TTL flash with a suitable flashgun.
I don't want to spend a fortune, and I'm not up to speed on flash technology/compatability but, IIRC, as long as an "independent" brand has the correct module/mount, then they should work my any camera. True???

With that being said, what independent brand should I consider or avoid? BTW, I live in Canada so choice is limited here.

Can anyone recommend any trust worthy Hong Kong based camera eBay sellers?

Or should I go bargain hunting for something like
[url= http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Meike-MK-320-TTL-Mini-Speedlite-Flash-Light-F-Panasonic-LX100-FZ1000-GX7-GF7-GF6-/391126715046?hash=item5b10f80aa6:g:KG4AAOSwymxVPfMk ]this?[/url]
Any other ideas?


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 6:24 am
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Yongnou are very well regarded by all the accounts I're read. A large number of pro photogrpahers who have their own broadcast channels through Youtube use them and recommend them (but I don't have one myself).

I think what will be more of an issue though is the sync speed of your camera. Do you know what the sync speed is and whether it will do a high speed sync? If it will do a standard sync at 1/250s that might be enough - I've never done any sports photography so I honestly don't know just how fast you'd need to have the shutter to capture a fast rider but it will be certainly faster than 1/60s or 1/120s.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 7:24 am
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Yongnou are very well regarded by all the accounts I're read.

+1

I got one for Christmas and it seems well enough put together. I've not used it enough in the last month to rate it in depth, but it seemed fine in the few dozen shots I took over Christmas. I got it on the recommendation of a photography channel on Youtube. It was several hundred Euros cheaper than the equivalent Canon flashgun.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 8:15 am
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Yongnou +1

Been using one for about 2 years now and it's been faultless.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 8:27 am
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Yep. Yongnou (although I thought the name was similar but different to that from memory)


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 8:53 am
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yongnou here too.
i think the one we have was about £35, not certain about that though, it was a present.
id buy another though, no complaints.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 8:58 am
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Yongnuo +5


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 10:20 am
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Yongnuo won't work for TTL on a Panasonic Lumix, none of their flashes are compatible AFAICT. It would only work in manual mode, ie setting the power on the flash.

I think the only cheap Chinese brand with Pansonic TTL is the Meike (also rebranded as Neewer, Eachshot etc).
I have been looking at the Meike MK320 myself. Only about £50, it gets some pretty good reviews.
It is a lot smaller than many flashes, 2 AA batteries. If you have a small camera, you probably don't want a big/heavy flash on top.

Also look at Metz or Nissin flashes, they have some Panasonic compatible versions. Though they will cost a bit more than that Meike.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 1:19 pm
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Good thinking Craig! TTL would be very useful...Can you remember where you saw the reviews of the Meike?
My other option may be a second hand Panasonic but I'm not sure where I could source one of those over here...hmmm


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 3:23 pm
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An old page, but was a good reference when I looked a few years ago (ended up just using a compatible trigger and manual remote flash instead)
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/panasonic/11-flash.html


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 4:22 pm
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I use a lot of Meike stuff, their TTL off camera 2.4 ghz remotes and battery grips are great. The functionality of their flashes doesn't always quite match with their claims.
I have 5 flash remotes and a tx plus three battery grips that are great.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 10:02 pm

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