NEEWER Basics 5600K Mini Camera Flash Speedlite GN12, 2000mAh/500 Flashes/0.1-1.8s Recycle, Light Compatible with Canon Fujifilm Sony Nikon Digital Standard Hot Shoe Camera for Studio Photos, Z120 SE

I only write reviews on products that I'm especially impressed with. I won't go into too much technical detail because that has been covered in other reviews. I'm aiming my review at beginner flash users who might be wondering whether to "settle" for this much less expensive flash or whether to hold out for the name brand. Maybe you don't know whether you even need a flash at all and want to give one a try without making a big investment - if that's you, go no further! I actually bought this flash because a first time flash user I know used it (for one day before sending it back) and didn't like it. I was puzzled by that because the reviews had been so good by people who were obviously knowledgeable, so I bought the flash out of pure curiosity since the price is SO GOOD. I used it a bunch last night and today and actually REALLY liked it, and realized that the only reason my friend didn't like it is that she doesn't know how to use an external flash without getting that harsh, blown out, "flashed", look and she wouldn't have been happy with any flash. I own the Nikon sb-600 and the sb-800 and I like this flash every bit as well, if not better. Here are the reasons why: 1. It is simple and straightforward. You don't have to be knowledgeable to immediately, intuitively, know how to use it. Just turn it on, hit + or - to adjust the power and there you go. Yes, there's no TTL, but I only use my flashes on manual anyway, so I won't miss it. The only problem for beginner users is that you need to make sure to set your shutter not to go faster than 1/200 or 1/250, or you will get shutter banding on the top and bottom of your images. TTL flashes automatically control this for you, but for me this is no big deal. I just set it on 1/250 and adjust aperture, ISO, and flash power to compensate. 2. It has a rotating head (the most important feature in a flash for me because I ALWAYS bounce it off the wall, ceiling, or card) and you don't have to push in a button in order for the head to rotate, which can sometimes be a pain and slow me down with my name brand flashes. It feels very sturdy and solid; the head will certainly stay in place in whatever position you put it in. It also has the same pull out diffuser and bounce card that my more expensive flashes do, which is a huge plus for me as well. 3. It has plenty of power and the recovery time (with high quality rechargeable batteries, as mentioned before) is at least as good as my Nikon flashes. It will fire continuously on the lower settings with no lag. I didn't work it too hard, but I fired it more rapidly than I normally would and it just kept poppin'. (At the higher settings there was some recharge lag, but no more than on my Nikon flashes.) 4. I know this won't apply to most users, but I like the fact that it will go from Canon to Nikon because I actually own both. I've tried it on my Nikons (D600 and D700) and my Canon 6d and it worked the same either way. I've only owned the Canon for a short time and hadn't bought a name brand flash for it yet, and don't plan to now that I've got this one. Overall, I think this is the best deal in camera equipment I've found. I'm a big believer in full frame cameras and high quality glass, but the quality of light coming out of a flash is the same across the board - as long as the flash is sturdy and dependable (as this one seems to be) and has a few of the bells and whistles (like rotating head and diffuser and bouncer) that I require, I'm happy. And it works as a slave too? Ridiculously good deal. I'm tempted to sell my other 2 flashes and get another one of these.

For the price, this flash has been awesome. It’s easy to mount and use, recycle time is decent, and the light output is strong enough for indoor portraits and events. It’s fully manual, so there’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it does the job really well.

***NOTE*** THIS IS A MANUAL FLASH...YOU CANNOT USE YOUR CANON CAMERA FLASH MENU TO CONTROL THE FLASH. I must say, I didn't have high expectations for this flash. I checked some of the reviews and they were mixed, but reviews are a small part of the reason I make a purchase. The flash is pretty well built for the price range, and seems like it will last for a long time. The optical slave NEVER misses, and it's extremely sensitive even when it's turned in the opposite direction of the master flash. Even though I'm a professional Photographer...to me...Light is light no matter where it comes from. If your flash cost you $500...can I use this flash an create the same image?...You bet I can...How you use your equipment is more important than what equipment you have. Don't get me wrong though...more expensive pieces of equipment usually have more options and allow you certain freedoms, but ehhh...learn with the cheap stuff, and once you see your limits with this equipment...move on from there. ****************************************** Update!!!!: 9/11/2013 First of all (today is 9/11) my condolences to those who have lost loved ones as I did in the attacks) It has been ALMOST 2 years since I've purchased 3 of these flashes, and they are still working PERFECTLY!!! I'm not a fan of spending money on things that will breakdown in the future, and these flashes have been banged around and thrown all over the place yet they still continue to produce excellent light for my photography needs. I usually use them for background, hair lights, and sometimes as a filler when it's needed and they have been great. The construction is solid, ease of use is key, optical slave is super sensitive and reliable. When you have good batteries in them...the recycle time is quick. I recommend VERY good rechargeable batteries (eneloop and powerex have never failed me). ****************************************** Update: 12/9/2013 I ordered another one today to use as another slave...the other 3 that I have are still working perfectly fine and I have never had a problem with them at all. for such a cheap product...it's pretty shocking that they last this long and contunue to fire on command in slave mode without a miss!!!! I might be getting 2 more of these for a total of 6...some of my light setups are very elaborate, and I've learned the distance to power ratio in my studio of these flashes and never need to meter tham...they add light just where I need it when I have a snoot on each one. PERFECT!!!

This flash is an good flash, and is certainly affordable. It has worked on my Canon Camera during testing and is working fine so far. The camera does have two issues so far that are related to build quality. The first issue is that the cover for the PC socket is junk. It is made out of some type of rubber but does not fit the socket at all and continues to fall out of the PC socket. If it was not for the fact that the cover was tethered to the flash it would have been lost on the first day of receiving the flash. The second issue is more serious and will require some modification. This issue has to do with the battery compartment. The flash's battery compartment has a design flaw that may present some NiMh batteries from making contact with the contact plates in the flash's battery compartment. This in turn will prevent the flash from powering up. Normal AA Alkaline work fine so no issue there. The battery door contacts seems to be a issue for quite a few owners of this product. I have attached my response to another reviewer that is having the same issue that I have encountered. Other then these two issues I can confidently recommend this flash without hesitation. My response to another review: I received my flash yesterday. I encountered the same issue as you. while using NIMH rechargeable. Prior to reading your review I had just thought that the rechargeable batteries were dead. I tried regular Alkaline batteries and they worked fine I then tried the rechargeable again and nothing. I then tried the rechargeable batteries in my camera and they worked without issue. Next I opened the battery compartment to examine what was going on and it was apparent that the batteries were not making contact with the door. If you are are having the problem as described you can push down on the door while it is closed with the problem batteries inserted. While the flash is turned on you will want to push down on the door's left side right above the battery which has the negative contact facing the door. For further identification of where to push, the door has a 6x4 grid of grip dots on it and you will need to push on the four left dots right above the words batt/push. with enough force you will see the flash panel light up. When you remove the pressure the flash's panel will go out. Now for the solution. I originally raised the four contacts at the bottom of the battery compartments. This can be done with a large paper clip bent so as to grab the contacts and raise them up however this did not resolve the issue SO DON'T bother with trying this solution. Now if you notice with the battery door of the flash open that the design flaw is that the contact for the lower left battery has a small dimple especially compared to the dimple for the upper right contact. To resolve this what you will need is a small paper clip. With the large loop and small loop(inner) of the paper clip pointing down bend the inner loop slightly away from you. What you are attempting to do is bend the inner loop so that it will fit behind the contact plate with the small dimple, and the large loop will fit on the outside of the contact plate, which is the side with the dimple that will also contact the batteries negative side. The large loop of the paper clip should contact the small dimple ever so slightly and continue around this dimple with no other modification needed. You want the paper clip to hug the dimple or otherwise it may move or change position which would not be a good thing and will just cause aggravation. If you installed the paper clip correctly you will now be able to use the batteries that were causing the issue without any problems whatsoever. There will be no need to remove the paper clip when using alkaline or other AA batteries you can just leave it in place. There may be slightly more resistance when closing the battery door but it should not be a issue and provides a semi-permanent solution. This solution should not be required if the contact plate was designed correctly but it is what it is at this point.

Very good for the price, very portable, good quality, good lighting, small and compact

FEATURES > Uses 4 AA batteries > "Mini-stand"---may be used as a stand, or as tripod adapter. However, if you want a short stand, I suggest Vivitar VIVMPT100BLU 6-Inch Table Tripod...

I am a little concerned since I ordered a new one but received what was obviously an open box. The tabs on the box were torn off and missing and the box was taped closed and the original seal was clearly previously cut. The device itself came out of the box with peels removed from the screens, fingerprints on the device and the charge cable clearly rewrapped. I don't mind picking up a refurbished or used item here or there if the price is right, but to receive a clearly opened and used item that I paid full price for is frustrating. So as to the value of this device, it's great if you actually receive a new one. But if like me you receive a used one that was poorly repackaged and returned, I'd say it's not a great value. As for the unit itself, it feels like a decent build quality with a good weight. The plastic housing feels solid and well sealed. The USB C charging is a big plus. The flash test fires as expected (haven't tested it on camera yet) and the controls are easy enough to manage. Despite the flash being decent and functional, the fact that I received a used one knocks off two stars.

Great flash very easy to set up. For the price it’s fantastic and worked way better than the one that came with my Sony.