Hello Everyone

I have been trying to improve my knowledge about SLR cameras in the past few weeks and i started from learning about the Lenses and now im into using flashes.

1- The flashes that you can buy from B&H and other stores that mount into your camera. What is the difference between the built in flash and the flash that you can purchase and mount on the SLR.

2- I have noticed that when i use my built in flash on my camera i get very bad results. The pictures look plain white and there is lots of noise and stuff appearing on the pictures. Why does this happen? is there any way to fix it?

3- And one question out of topic. I noticed that there is three dust particles or something like small piece of hair inside my lens. Its like right in the center. Is there any way to get rid of those?

Thanks

There are a number of advantages to the external flashes you can buy. On top of the all round better specs, they can be used remotely (with the aid of triggers or a sync cable) and if on the camera can be directed. That means, instead of being forced into using harsh light from right on the top of your camera, you can 'bounce' the light off of a surface (like a ceiling or reflector) to diffuse the light. This way, the light is less harsh and you can control to some extend from what direction the light comes from. This basically solves your second problem.

As for the dust and hair, are they actually inside your lens? If they were on the surface of an element, the first port of call would be one of these [link] . They can blow the dust away without having to touch the element. But, if they are actually inside the lens, it will need to be taken apart to remove them, something you should not do yourself. Unless it's affecting the images, I'd probably leave it, it would cost more to get the dirt out than it is worth.

1) the main differences are:

a) output power: you get more output power from hot shoe flashes than the pop up flash of your camera.

b)bounce and swivel: the best idea is to not throw the light from your flash directly on your subject, you can bounce it off a wall and ceiling and get more pleasing results, the head on hot shoe flashes can be tilted and swiveled to bounce the light.

c) Zoom head: most of modern hot shoe flashes adjust automatically (if it isn´t ttl then you can do it via pressing buttons) the head of the flash to match the focal length of the lens, this is pretty useful to have a better coverage of light in your subject/subjects based on the focal length you are using

d)bracket friendly: you can move the flash from the hot shoe to a bracket and get better results since you are moving the light away from the lens axis

2)An example with a photo would be nice to help you out in a better way.

3)Send it to be cleaned by the manufacturer.



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Think before you shoot!