Slave flash or remote trigger?

Question

I want to start to use flash with my photography. I don't know too much about flashes. I have a nikon D200. I found slave flashes which seem good(plus they are cheep) but i don't know if they are any good? Or should I get a real flash and just buy some wireless trigger for them.

I was looking at this for slave flash.
http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Studio-Slave-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B004288M2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2LM6ZPY06LT1N&s=merchant-items&qid=1289866965&sr=1-1

Or is there anything else that is better?

And for real flashes and a cheep wireless trigger, I was looking at.

FLASH. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-400-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000KKPN5C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1289867032&sr=1-2

WIRELESS TRIGGER. http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Studio-RT-16-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B0034Z4PYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AL7LHK6Q9LVTS&s=merchant-items&qid=1289867074&sr=1-1

So if you know of anything that is good or would be better, then can you please help me. Thanks

Answer 1

I think sometimes just jumping in and learning is a good way to do. In this case, though, I'd recommend taking a little time and see what options are out there.



A great place to learn about off-camera flash is http://www.strobist.com



They have lots of information on what to look for, sample setups, etc

Answer 2

That Polaroid is absolutely useless, don't even bother.



The SB-400 is not a cheap flash, this is a cheap flash: http://cgi.ebay.com/YONGNUO-Speedlite-YN460-ii-EOS-400D-450D-500D-550D-/230551084590?pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item35adea5e2e and it will be better for the radio slave you already picked out.



OK, no, they won't. You picked the wrong receiver type, those will only work with a studio flash that has a sync port. Here is what you need : http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-Receivers-SB-900/dp/B003GVE7RW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AL7LHK6Q9LVTS&s=generic&qid=1289872891&sr=1-1 these look almost the same in the pic, but they have a hot shoe at the top. The flash sits right in the hot shoe, and there you go.

Answer 3

Is E-TTL a Canon designation? i'm no longer familiar with that one. If all you elect is elementary lighting fixtures, then the TTL metering could come close. as quickly as you spot the image and evaluate shadows and gentle-weight, you are able to start to alter the output of the distant flashes. With Nikon, this executed with the grasp, no count number while you're applying the pop-up simply by fact the set off or an SB flash related to the digicam. applying the pop-up, all alterations are made interior the digicam menu. applying the SB, all alterations are made on the returned of the grasp flash.

Answer 4

get whatever one you like,



personally i would get a flash/trigger/slave set up that is not branded to one camera maker, then you can use it for all photography not just 35mm with one brand





me i have no time for brand name flashes (nikon, canon, sony etc) they are basically a rip off, you can get a no name flash and a slave for $50 off ebay they do the same job as a $500 branded flash,