What external flash?

[diving_moose]

I currently have a Nikon coolpix 4300 with fantasea housing, i am having some reasonable results with it upto now as it is my first camera. I am looking at possibly purchasing a external flash, which i think will have to be a flash gun connected with optical cables. I am not sure how this system works, ie how the external flash activates when you take the picture. Also any ideas which would be suitable for a novice etc.
Cheers Lee

[David A]

Hi Lee,

Have you got some pictures to share with us? I think you'll find a generally warm reception around here to any pictures posted in the gallery.

I'm not familiar with fantasea housings, so I had a quick look at their website. You need a flash unit with a slave control. That means that a cable connects the flash unit to an optical sensor which you position on the outside of the housing, in front of the camera's internal flash. When your camera's internal flash fires, this triggers the external flash. You can set it to ignore the pre-flash if required.

The horrible truth is that these strobes are always expensive. You can get one for about £250, an Epoque. My advice would be not to bother. They just aren't powerful enough to be of any great use, and the build quality is suspect. Believe me, I speak from experience, but many others have said the same. The battery compartment is prone to flooding, and this wrecks the whole strobe.

I would suggest you look at a company like Ikelite or Sea & Sea, and expect to pay in excess of £400 for a set-up.

Alternatively, if you have a quality LED or HID torch, try using that to drench your subject in light.

Good luck with it, and show us the results.

David

[JohnK]

There is an IKE DS125 plus arm plus remote sensor for sale on Ebay