my Nikon built-in flash died...what to do?

[Penny Springmann]

My flash is dead on my Nikon D50 so I can either...
1. send my camera to Nikon to have it fixed
or
2. purchase an external flash
or
3. continue to only take pictures outside during the day :blink::thumbdown:

There are pros and cons to each, so before I decide I wanted to see if any of you have any input. I was leaning toward getting an external flash since they are better, but my DH thinks I should get it fixed. What would you do? A new camera is out of the question right now.

[ColleenSwerb]

Are you planning on eventually upgrading your camera body?

If you are, I would get the external. That way you're buying something that you will be able to use even when you upgrade.
If you're perfectly content with your camera body, then I would look into getting it fixed.

Having said that, I adore my external flash. I rarely used my on-body flash before, but I just love the versatility I have with the external.

[jessica31876]

is it still under warranty? if it is the fix should be free so I would probably do that first. But if it isnt under warranty alot of times those fixes can cost more then a new/used camera would cost so Id go for the external. So I guess it would depend on who was respobsible for the camera getting fixed...you or the company.

[Sharon Kay]

hmmm I have a Canon ... my dh bought a speed flash for it for our anniversary present ... and honestly I don't ever use the one that is on my camera any more ... this one recharges sooooooooo much faster than the original camera flash and goes further ... that I always leave it on the camera. I think it ran like around $35 ... they do have different price ranges ... but I have been very happy with this one.

[aggiefamily]

Get an external and then send your camera in to be fixed after the holidays. You will enjoy the external (at least I do) and it can always be used on a camera upgrade.

eta: sending your camera in can take weeks so I would wait until January.

[kscwgirl]

I would get an external.

[Kara]

External, for sure. LOVE mine!

[Megan Turnidge]

I would get an external.. I hate the on-board flash anyway. :)

[AmyM]

Yep, buy a speedlight. Don't waste your money on the sb400. You'll get tired of it really quickly because it doesn't swivel much, it's just a brighter version of the pop up flash really. Go for the sb600. You can bounce flash off the ceiling, it's compatible with all the newer models and you can use it off camera w/umbrella or softbox and a flash trigger if you ever choose to do so.
I bought a Metz 48 first and wouldn't recommend it. Has slightly more power than the sb-600 and a good array of options but it won't fire as reliably and it's made cheaper, more plasticy. Broke a piece off mine in the first 6 months, still works but I just bought an sb600 to go with it due to above reasons.
Stay away from the off brands unless you plan to use it off camera and trigger it with pocket wizards.
Don't forget rechargeable batteries. HTH

[newfiemountiewife]

I bought Tony a Speedlight for his Canon, and he NEVER uses the onboard flash. I would get that instead of getting the onboard flash fixed!

[heathergw]

I would get an external... says the person who thinks every dslr owner should have one ;p

[Penny Springmann]

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to go ahead and look at externals! :)

[lisabranka]

for those who have a nikon.. what flash did you get? I'm looking @ upgrading mine for my birthday present (hint hint to the hubby) and would love to give him specific things :)

[LibbysMommy]

The sb400 is the speedlight I have for my Nikon...I love it and NEVER use my onboard flash...I don't use my flash much, so the smaller sb400 definitely works for my needs...
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-400-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000KKPN5C

[heathergw]

for those who have a nikon.. what flash did you get? I'm looking @ upgrading mine for my birthday present (hint hint to the hubby) and would love to give him specific things :)

I think it depends on what orientation you take your pics at... if you take your pics at mostly landscape orientation then the SB-400 is a great flash, but if you take your pics at portrait orientation then I would spend a little bit more and get the SB-600 (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-600-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0002EMY9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288820565&sr=8-1). I started out with the 400 and loved it but I couldn't bounce the flash when I was taking portrait orientation pics, so I ended up upgrading to the 600 and LOVE it!

[Penny Springmann]

Heather, thanks for the info on the orientation. I would NEVER have thought of that!

[lisabranka]

oh that makes perfect sense.. and I do a bit of both orientation.. hmm decisions, decisions!

[sprauncey1]

Love my SB-600! I had to get one because my lens was too big for me to use the onboard flash and I haven't regretted it! Just keep an extra set of batteries in your bag, they don't go out that often, but man it always seems like the worst timing! And like someone said earlier...you can always use it if you upgrade your camera later!

[KyRainbow]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good external flash for a Canon? I take quite a few pictures in portait orientation, so I'd like to have one that will bounce the flash in either orientation.

[NeverendingJen]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good external flash for a Canon? I take quite a few pictures in portait orientation, so I'd like to have one that will bounce the flash in either orientation.

uhm the one I have lol! I have the vivitar df-283 and love it. It swivels for bouncing in either orientation and works great.

[aggiefamily]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good external flash for a Canon? I take quite a few pictures in portait orientation, so I'd like to have one that will bounce the flash in either orientation.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-II-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001CCAISE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288903334&sr=8-1

or

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-580EX-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000NP3DJW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288903334&sr=8-2

I have the 430EX and use the heck out of that thing.

[MandaT]

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-II-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001CCAISE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288903334&sr=8-1

or

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-580EX-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000NP3DJW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288903334&sr=8-2

I have the 430EX and use the heck out of that thing.

What she said. ^

Except I don't use mine much anymore, unless I absolutely have to.