External flash Vs built in

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.zlr (More info?)

I'm thinking of adding a Sunpak 383 external flash to my
FZ20 and I wonder specifically how much it will increase
its' forward range? The max rating of the Sunpak is 60 ft.,
but is it really effective at that distance? I often take
pictures of my friend's band performing in theaters. The
light from the stage is not enough and the internal flash
doesn't have the range.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.zlr (More info?)

In article <1117849717.459588.263530@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, bj286
@scn.org says...
> Swingman wrote:
> > I'm thinking of adding a Sunpak 383 external flash to my
> > FZ20 and I wonder specifically how much it will increase
> > its' forward range?
>
> A lot.
>
> > The max rating of the Sunpak is 60 ft., but is it really effective at that distance?
>
> The guide number is 120. If your lens is f/2, your camera is ISO 100,
> then the range is 60ft. If your lens is f/4, then the range is further
> halfed to 30ft. If your camera is ISO 400, then the range is doubled...
>
> > I often take
> > pictures of my friend's band performing in theaters. The
> > light from the stage is not enough and the internal flash
> > doesn't have the range.
>
> If you use a tele lens longer than 200mm, then put a fresnel lens in
> front of the flash.
>
> http://digitcamera.tripod.com/#flash
>
>

I have and use three Sunpak 383 flashes and they are quite good value for
money.

On my Sony F 828 I shoot from 30 to 50 ft from a large dark subject in an
arena that barely has enough light for the camera to focus.

At 40 feet, f3, iso 100, the 838 lights up a horse and rider quite well, and
I have no complaints.

On my Canon 300D at ISO 400, I get quite good results at f4-f5.6 up to 60
feet.

Of course these shots are made in Manual mode.

The much more expensive Sony "Auto Flash" ($200 US) is good only to about 20
feet, and the one time I tried the Canon flash designed for the DRebel, the
camera under exposed so badly, I regreted even wasting the batteries on the
Canon Flash.
--
Larry Lynch
Mystic, Ct.