Vivitar DF200 Digital Flash 200

This is an excellent product for the digital camera user. It virtually eliminates the harsh shadows so noticeable with these cameras when used as a bounce flash unit.

This flash works nicely with my Sony DSC-P72 as a slave flash. The one limitation with all slave flashes is that they trigger off other cameras' flashes also. You can use the standy button to partially eliminate this, but if there are lots of other flashes going off, it can be a problem. Also, it would be nice if Vivitar had a 1/2 power setting, as the jump from full power to 1/4 power is too much for a digital camera to handle. You can put the flash on 1/4 power and double the ISO or halve the aperture and effectively get 1/2 power, however.

Pro: I like the fact that you can mount this one with the camera and then on to a tripod. I don't think others can do that. Cycles fast. Works well with the powershot s230 that I have when set to "2 flash" trigger. The training mode seems to work as well.

Con: Does not have a working hotshoe contact - works only by seeing a flash. So don't expect to use it on a camera with a hotshoe. Cannot be triggered manually. I was hoping to trigger it manually during long shutters without using the camera's own flash. It is also quite bulky. Cannot mount on tripod by itself without mounting it to the bracket first - making it look strange and un-balanced if you want to set it away from the camera.

If you're serious about getting good indoor flash pictures, then something like the DF200 is a must.

Use it to *properly* light up subjects at medium to longer distances (something dinky built-in flashes don't have the power for) or use bounce flash at closer distances. I absolutely love how bounced flash evenly lights the people in my photos. You can also turn down the ISO setting, allowing for less grainy photos.

The hold button is handy when there are other cameras around you snapping away, but I do wish it was in the form of a switch, which would have been more durable then the small springy button it is currently. Also, the battery door can be a little bit difficult to open and close.

Edit: By the way, it works perfectly fine on my Rebel XT/350D & Powershot A70

The built-in flash on digital cameras leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly it is skimpy and limited in use. By adding the Vivitar DF200 digital flash, your camera takes on added capabilities. The flash is surprisingly powerful and thus gives the camera a greater range. Red-eye is greatly reduced or eliminated and the ability use bounce-flash can enhance many photographs. The flash syncronizes with several digital cameras that I have tried and should syncronize with yours as well. The flash unit is not built like a tank and thus should be handled carefully. All in all, considering its low price, it is a useful and well thought out and executed item.