Digital camera accessories

[tpk]

I'd like an external flash for my Nikon 5700.  I need to be able to 'reach out' further than the built-in flash and would love to have the bounce capabilites of my Vivitar 283 I used with my 35mm film system.  I'd consider a Nikon flash or a different brand.  I know that my Nikon 5700 does not support D-TTL but not much else, am finding related charts pretty confusing.

Also, any issues or additional equipment needed if I use my Stoboframe flash bracket with my Nikon 5700 and external flash?

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
tpk

[Mike54]

Hi tpk and welcome to the Q&A Board,

I think I would stick with the Nikon brand flashes. Other manufacturers units may work perfectly well but if you opt for that route be sure to do your research. Using the wrong flash can fry your camera. Also there may be a need for a Nikon adapter to use a third party unit.

I would expect that you would need a off shoe cord (lead) to use the bracket. I don't think there would be a need for "additional equipment" beyond that unless you wanted to do something special or out of the ordinary.
I did a little searching around and found a couple of links that be of interest. Hope this a helps a little.

one link

second link

[tpk]

Thanks Mike 54, the information was what I needed.

[ShutterbugGail]

Here's a most useful site with information about the Nikon 5700 (and other Nikon CoolPix digital cameras and the Panasonic FZ10). There is a wealth of information about accessories, including use of an external flash with the 5700. It covers such topics as:

Flash Synchronization Shutter Speed
Flash Exposure Control
Front Curtain and Rear Curtain Synchronization
Slow Synchronization
Trigger Voltage
Flash Basic Functions
When to use External Flashes

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/