A camera flash is an important component in photography. A flash ensures that your images are well lit especially where the surrounding light is not sufficient or where you need to regulate the amount of light falling on your subjects. There are several types of flashes and each works differently or is used for different purposes. Some flashes are meant to be used with certain camera models and so one should be careful while purchasing a flash so as not to get one that is not compatible with the camera.

Photo by Saptarshi Roy / Fotosocial

Before you purchase a camera flash, there are various factors that you should consider. Some of them have been pointed above. These include the purpose to which to flash is intended, the type of camera with which the flash will be used, the budget among other factors. Each category of camera flashes has its own and distinct features but as general guidelines, here is a quick look into camera flashes.

Types of camera flashes: A quick look

There are two major categories of camera flashes—the inbuilt flashes and the external flash units. The inbuilt flashes are the ones that come with most digital camera. Though they are easy to use, these flashes are not as powerful and cannot be relied upon to produce a great photograph especially in low light situations. The external flash units or otherwise called flashguns are the one commonly used by professional and serious amateurs. They allow a longer coverage and are powerful enough to provide enough light for good photographs. We will shed more light on these flashes later on.

Other types of flashes or flash attachments are slave flash units, studio strobes and ring flashes. The slave flash units are used on cameras that do not have hot shoe to attach flashguns. These slave units increases light to boost the inbuilt flash. They are equipped with sensors that fire when they detect burst from the inbuilt flashes. Studio strobes are more powerful units than flashguns and come with modeling lights that stays on until a moment before taking the photo, thereby allowing the camera to focus better in auto focus. Ring flashes are special flashes commonly used for macro photography and in close up photos as well. They derive their name from the circular flash unit that is attached around the lens and fires lights on the subject during the shoot.

Photo by Sumon Kalyan Mandal / Fotosocial

Features of and guides to camera flashes

These features are more applicable to external flash units or the flashguns. Before purchasing the flashgun, you should check for the Guide Number (GN) specifications which are supplied by the manufacturers. Flashes with high GN are more powerful, have a larger coverage area and a faster recycle time. You should however be careful not to assume that the GN indicated is in meters or feet. Some flashes’ GN is in feet while others is in meters.

Recycle Time is the time a flash take to get ready for the next shot after firing. In a layman’s language, it is the time it takes to get recharged after it is fired. The flash will have a longer recycle time as the batteries get used up. It is advisable to always use the best batteries available so that you don’t miss a moment. Some camera flashes use two AA batteries while others will use four. Though the one using four batteries will cost you a little more in maintenance, it is worth every penny since it has more power hence less recycle time.

Another important aspect in camera flashes you should never miss is that since many camera flashes are made to work with certain camera models, these flashes are referred to as dedicated flashes. A dedicated flash works in tandem with camera’s auto focus making it easier to control focusing while shooting. Another feature in camera flashes that can assist a photographer or the camera in focusing is the Focus Assist Light. It is only a dedicated flash that is compatible with TLL (Through the lens) metering, an aspect that make the camera control how the lens works. There are cameras which have the ability to control flashes remotely even when they flash is not attached to the hot shoe, but again, the flash has to be compatible with that camera mode.

Other features you should look for is a flash that can tilt, swivel and zoom. Many flashes can tilt and swivel but only a few models can zoom.

	Quick read: Before you purchase a camera flash, there are various factors that you should consider which include the purpose to which to flash is intended, the type of camera with which the flash will be used, the budget etc There are two major categories of camera flashes—the inbuilt flashes and the external flash units Before purchasing the flashgun, you should check for the Guide Number (GN) specifications which are supplied by the manufacturers Flashes with high GN are more powerful, have a larger coverage area and a faster recycle time You should buy a dedicated flash since it works in tandem with camera’s auto focus making it easier to control focusing while shooting