Flash help is this good one ending soon

[lynweber]

I am looking for a flash for my d5000 found a vivitar on ebay not sure about it though need expert opinion.

Vivitar 283 Multi Func. Flash for Nikon D5000 D3000 D80 - eBay (item 180493825798 end time Apr-16-10 14:28:07 PDT)

Thanks

[lynweber]

if not please recommend an off brand that is affordable. Sigma?

[OsmosisStudios]

Are you planning on using it on-camera? If so, a proper Nikon SB-series will be greatly beneficial. SB-600s arent that expensive (~$240) and will give you that much more.

[lynweber]

perhaps I dont understand flash which I will admit to freely. What does the SB-600 do for me that other flashes can not such as the SIGMA EF-530?

[OsmosisStudios]

The Nikon one will provideo you with TTL, which is the Through The Lens metering. This way the flash fires a pre-flash, the camera is able to judge how much power to output, then the flash fires during the exposure to illuminate the scene. The Sigma wont do this. That means that when youre using the flash on-camera, you dont have to worry about adjusting power levels as the scene changes and you wont have to fiddle with getting the power right.

It just makes life easier.