So lost.. need help ASAP!!

[tsanchez012]

Okay, here is my question(s). I have a sony a200 and recently the built in flash has kicked out on me. I can take the camera to wolfcamera to get it repaired for a hefty $400. I have a shoot coming up and just don't have that kind of cash to put into my flash.

I was thinking of getting an external flash for the time being to save money. However, as I was researching some flashes, I came across a number of things. First, if my internal flash isn't working, will an external one? The next thing that I came across was a slave flash. I kind of understand what this does - but if I don't have a working flash on my camera will this work?

I found both external flashes and slave flashes within my price range on amazon.com but I just don't know which one will work. I need help... and fast!!!

[inkista]

I'd say walk into a local camera store or borrow a flash from a friend, and try out whether or not your camera's hotshoe is fried, and then see if you can rent a Sony flash for your shoot. That way you won't have to make a decision in a hurry.

Slave flashes won't work if you don't have a working pop-up flash (assuming the slaves is a simple optical one). Basically, a slave flash needs to see another flash fire, and then it fires at the same time. You can usually set them off even with P&S camera flashes.

The biggest issue you'll need to get acquainted with is the fact that sony alphas use the weird proprietary Minolta hotshoe, not an ISO-standard one, so a lot of third-party flash equipment that's out there is going to also need a hotshoe adapter to work on your alpha.