External flash for Fuji GA645

[davjoh77]

Hi, I use the fantastic Fuji GA645 and I really like it a lot. The internal flash is pretty good but I feel that I sometimes need just a little bit more power and I´m thinking of getting a simple and cheap external flash. I found one at ebay from China. Very cheap and a lot of people seems to like it but I can´t seem to find the information if it´s safe to use it on my Fuji. The seller say that is has a power of 5 v and I´ve searched the internet but cant´t find anything if it´s safe to use this on the Fuji. I don´t want to destroy the camera. The flash I´m thinking about is the YINYAN BY-18. Does anybody have any experiences of the Fuji GA645 together with this flash?

All answers are more than welcome/David

 

[sevo]

You won't find any current flash that is not safe with any film camera ever made - there is nothing being made any more that is not digital safe, and the latter have more vulnerable electronics.

That said, what you are looking at is a very low power flash, without auto modes - GN18 over GN11 will buy you a mere 1/3 extra range, at a loss in convenience. I don't really think that there is any point in that...

 

[davjoh77]

Thank you Sevo for your answer. Yes, it might be a little weak and as you point out it´s only 1/3 extra range. I´ll try to find something more powerful. But it feels good knowing that new flashes won´t mess up the camera.
Again, a big thanks!

 

[davjoh77]

By the way, any good suggestions for a small, compact flash for the Fuji GA645?

 

[hamradio]

I think you'd be best off with a smaller, older Vivitar unit, like the 2800, 225, 252, etc. If size wasn't a concern, I'd suggest the 285...a great flash for the money (I paid $4.99 for mine on eBay).

 

[davjoh77]

Thanks Hamradio! Yes, I´ve stumbled across the Vivitars before and I think I need to check them out one more time. They seem to do the work well and the price is just right. And the 285 looks like a great flash, when I think about it the size really isn´t that big of an issue.