Looking for a reasonably priced flash for my Nikon D3100

[KW Gary M]

I am fairly new to the Digital SLR world and have quickly learned that the pop up flash on my camera just doesn't cut it. My camera is a Nikon D3100. For the most part I will be taking photos of houses, inside and out, being a realtor but also a lot of tourist events and night photography. Living in Key West I'm not only selling Key West homes but also the Key West Island Life. I want to fill my website with Key West photos. The main feature I was told I want is to make sure the flash head can move up and down and also swivel from side to side. My goal is to keep the price between $100 and $150 but if what I want doesn't exist in that price range I'd spend more. I don't need the Mercedes Benz of flash but also don't want to buy junk just to save money.

Any suggestions?

[Zeke Menuar]

I have a D3100. I use the Nikon SB400 Speedlight
The SB400 is a good basic flash. So far it has done everything I need from a flash. It's also very light and compact.

Nikon Store - SB-400 Speedlight Unit

[zona5101]

Nissin Di622 Mark II Digital TTL Shoe Mount Flash ND622MKII-N
Nissin Di622 - $190 US but it is powerful and swivels and bounces -wireless ttl, built in slave. etc.

[KW Gary M]

Is that the same Nissan that makes the cars?

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by Zeke Menuar

I have a D3100. I use the Nikon SB400 Speedlight
The SB400 is a good basic flash. So far it has done everything I need from a flash. It's also very light and compact.

Nikon Store - SB-400 Speedlight Unit

I like the idea of staying with Nikon but I can't tell from the link, does this flash move up & down and swivel from side to side?

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

I like the idea of staying with Nikon but I can't tell from the link, does this flash move up & down and swivel from side to side?

nope.
You'd want the sb700 for tilt & swivel. $325 samolians.

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by zona5101

nope.
You'd want the sb700 for tilt & swivel. $325 samolians.

That's what I was afraid of. I would love to go all Nikon but between just paying for my class, buying the camera and an extra telephoto lens, bag, filters etc the Nikon flash just isn't in the budget.

[Zeke Menuar]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

I like the idea of staying with Nikon but I can't tell from the link, does this flash move up & down and swivel from side to side?

It swivels up and down, not side to side. It's a basic flash. It's strengths are it's light weight and simplicity. It even fits into a pocket if your traveling light. Most of the time I carry as little gear as possible so the SB400 fits the bill.
Once in a while I use a card to bounce the flash where I need it.

FWIW in the time I've had the D3100 and the SB400 I've never needed the fancy settings on the SB600 and above flashes.

[KW Gary M]

A friend I work with does wedding photography on the side and suggested a couple to me. Anyone have any experience or opinions on these?

Sigma

Sigma EF610 DG ST Flash for Nikon 199306 B&H Photo Video

Bower

Bower SFD926N Digital Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon SLR SFD926N B&H

[zona5101]

The sigma is almost as much as ths Nissin but it's only a guide number of 61 vs 144! And the Sigma doesn't have a built in slave so I'd scratch that one.
Bower has decent power @ GN125 and has a slave mode.
I shot with a guy this past weekend that had the Nissin on two different bodies. He couldn't say enough about what a good value they were.
You can check out his work here:
Idaho Supercross 10.08.11 - Ed Hoffman Photography -- Ed Hoffman
Any of the shots at night were with the Nissins.