#NCP
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I know, I know. I promised less NCPs.
But for #Fujifilm #X100VI and #X100V owners, and people who see value in #FlashPhotography, I've got some thoughts.
For a while, I felt the best flash option for the X100 series was Fuji's discontinued EF-20 (NOT the EF-X20). It was low profile, could bounce upwards, and, well, was made by Fujifilm. But it had pretty basic controls, and sometimes didn't communicate well with the camera.
But there's a better option now, especially if you get a "good copy" of this flash: the Meike MK-320F flash, seen here
It is similar in size to the Fuji EF-20, but is in all ways better: better TTL (incl full reading of your fstop, lens length, etc), more powerful GN, faster recycle time (I tested this directly), quieter in operation (the EF-20 has a very apparent cycling whine), a LCD panel with settings for flash exposure adjustments, two slave modes, off camera firing, full manual modes, a light sensor, and it can even charge the batteries installed, directly via USB micro.
My fave function is that, not only can it bounce vertically, but you can also rotate the flash 90 right, or 60 left. Combined with multi-tilt function, its extremely versatile.
It's also half the price of the EF-20 when that was available for sale.
Here it is, compared to the EF-20, on the X100VI.
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Here is one of the first photos I took with the Meike MK320F; Set the camera to 1/500th a second (because leaf shutters don't have flash sync limitations), f5.6, and bounced the meike up and to the right side, where a white wall is.
Works the charm.
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@timdesuyo I miss strobist. Glad the site is archived.
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@coffeegeek I still have not figured out how to incorporate flash into my life. I mostly shoot landscape, which obviously does not help. But I know it would be useful for other stuff.
So@every year I drag the flash out for the holidays then spend an hour trying to remember how it works.
Maybe a smaller one would be easier to use more often. I certainly have a lot of photos that I love but could use some fill.
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@lkanies Here's a really good educational vid by a pro photog on using on camera flash, and why it should always be bounced. This may help a bit!
(I've been doing mostly studio work for the last 24 years, so flash + lighting is second nature to me these days, but I get jealous of good landscape photographers, a skill I lack).
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@coffeegeek thanks!
(I did not say I was a *good* landscape photographer, just that it is what I tend to do. )
I am regularly I,pressed by how well you set up your product shoots. It is clearly a well honed skill.
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@lkanies Aww, thank you, that's really kind.