[Kosmo]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and I'm, relatively, new to photography.

I have Panasonic Lumix FZ30 and now I'm looking for an external flash for it. I read excellent reviews for Nikon SB-800, but I'm not sure that it can be used properly with the FZ30 - as I said I'm not experienced and it might turn out that I'm trying to put a Ferrari engine in a Mini - it may work at the end, but is not worth neither the cost nor the effort.

I searched the forums and I found some discussions about SB-800, but they didn't answer my questions (or I didn't get it ). My questions are:
What is the best flash for FZ30 from usability point of view? and
Can FZ30 work properly with SB-800?
Do I need an additional device to fire the SB-800 remotely from FZ30?

Thank you for your time,
Kosmo

[Dabhand16]

Welcome to Pixalo Kosmo

First, I have to say that I don't own or know much about your camera. However, I might be able to contribute something for you to research.

The easy bit is that you will be able to mount a suitable flash to your camera with the hotshoe. Now, I don't know if the Nikon flash will work with your cameras system, but I'd guess not. I'm not sure why you would want to use a Nikon flash rather than a Panasonic, or a third party flash such as Sigma, Metz or Cobra dedicated to the Panasonic.

Off camera operation - once you have decided on the flashgun - will usually be by a cable if you want to retain any metering functions, or by a wireless system if you don't mind going manual. You can use an optical slave unit that will trigger the remote flash by using the camera's flash to trigger it - making sure you get one that you can set to ignore the red-eye pre-flashes, or you can get cheap radio triggers on e-bay for around £15-£20.

I think you ought to look at Panasonic flashguns and the Sigma, Metz and Cobra ranges to see what is available. I really don't think the Nikon will be compatible with the FZ-30.

[Kosmo]

Thanks Graham!

There are two reasons to look for Nikon flash: The Panasonic's flash for FZ30 - DMW-FL500 - is much more expensive (see here and here). The second reason, which is not the driver, but it's a reason , is that I plan to get a Nikon body later this year

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Kosmo

light.html"]here[/url]). The second reason, which is not the driver, but it's a reason , is that I plan to get a Nikon body later this year

Fair point - and one I did not even consider!

Given that info, I'd either wait until you get the Nikon camera, get a used flash that is compatible with the Panny, or go for the Nikon and use a remote trigger - bearing in mind there will be no metering and you will have to go manual.

Even if the Nikon works on the Panny hotshoe I suspect that you will have to use it in manual mode as I'm pretty sure the Systems will not sync.

You can always get a cheap flash that has thyristor (probably spelt wrong) circuitry that will go some way to controlling the flash but from the flash rather than the camera. They have a small cell that measures the light output and cuts it according to the ISO setting if you use the aperture recommended by the scale on the flash.

[Kosmo]

Thanks again Graham!

I was considering to get a used/low cost flash until I get the Nikon body, but I don't know what are the options here - if I have to go manual with the used/low cost flash as well, I think it would be better to get SB-800 right now.