Konica Minolta Maxxum 3600HS TTL Shoe Mount Flash

Rating:
Summary: Good flash equipment makes great camera equipment even bette
Review: Duh!- the boy starts to get it

Good flash equipment makes great camera equipment even better.

I purchased the 3600HS(D) and I'm so impressed with its usefulness and function and quality. The 3600HS(D) provides remarkable flash output with the maximum guide number of 118 feet at ISO100 in a compact body that easily attached to my DiMAGE A2. That's a lot of firepower coming out of a compact flash unit. No more wimpy built in A2 flash for me.

Flash coverage is automatically available from 24mm to 85mm focal lengths, and further extends to the 17mm focal length with the included Wide Angle Adapter. All from one flash unit. I enjoy the way it automatically adjusts when I adjust the focal length of my camera. (You can hear it zooming when you change the lens focal length.) Even at 200 mm equiv. the flash coverage was excellent when I zoomed indoors. No more forgetting to change the zoom on the flash and ending up with an over, or under exposed picture. The 3600HS(D) assures highly reliable metering accuracy, and this flash is one of a few units in its class that provide High-speed Sync. I was able to snap three flash photos of the dog in just over two seconds. (NEAT)The Wireless/Remote High-speed Sync is also available when the 3600HS(D) but I haven't experimented with that off-camera flash yet.

The flash turns on, and off automatically when I use the A2. I like that. No more forgetting to turn on, or off, the flash. The camera and the flash `talk' to each other and the camera automatically makes the WB decisions and flash duration determinations. I can shoot with it on AUTO, P, S, and A (as well as M). That's a lot of flexibility!

I paid about $170 delivered for mine (here on Amazon), so its not cheap, but I am very impressed with its functionality and to be honest, I'm surprised how much better it has made my Minolta DiMAGE A2 seem. We are now always ready for whatever flash picture situation arises. Bring on the holiday parties and get-togethers!

Now, if I can just learn how to make a good cup of cappuccino. . . .
Or figure out exactly how to pronounce "DiMAGE?"

Lyndol