Need Help with Flashes

[Tanya]

I have a Nikon D70 and am seriously considering buying a flash.

Any tips? I would like one that help in just a regular house as well as in a small hall. I talked to a sales rep at a local store who showed me the two Nikon flashes (600 and 800). It's about 380 for the 600 and 580 for the 800.

I don't want to go for the 600 and then a year from now say "shoot, I could really use more flash". But I'm not a pro by ANY means so I don't want to buy more than I will need for the next 5 years.

I will be taking shots at a wedding in the summer so I need something to get me thru that (yes - they know what level I am at in photography but they are on a super small budget).

Any tips, suggestions, thoughts are welcomed! thank you in advance

[imported_Jimbo]

Here are some good articles that I googled...
- http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a?topi...nd+Speedlights
- http://www.planetneil.com/nikon/flash.html
- http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/flash.htm
- http://www.nikonusa.com/fileuploads/...ht/splash.html

[Tanya]

Thank you!

With the links you provided and some other research I did it seemed unanimous that Nikon brand flashes are preferred (unless you go up into the more professional ones).

Went ahead and bought the SB 800 and am taking my first practice shots - the colors are impressive with this flash (once you figure it out anyway) - can't compare to the pop up!!

[imported_Jimbo]

External flashes really help because the recycle time is pathetic on internal flashes...

Here's an engagement picture I took using my 430EX as a fill flash with a $13 Sto-Fen diffuser attached.