3500 xi - will it do the job

[bill_thorlin]

Current kit involved in this question is :- 800si , 404si(STsi) ,AF

zoom 24-105 , AF zoom 75-300 , AF Macro 50mm (1:1)

Built in flash on both cameras not adequate to cope with 24-105 and

not ideal with macro and no tilt facility so considering adding an

additional flash and the 3500xi reasonably priced second-hand.

Not a great user of flash but beginning to feel restricted.

Am enthusiastic long time amateur (from SRT101 onwards) so not too

technical !!!!!

(How come I have never found this site before ? !!!!!)

[michael_hohner]

The flash head does not swivel, and the larger flashes are stronger, too. But if you don't use flash a lot, the 3500xi will be just fine.

[ivan_dzo]

Great flash for the money - I've got four! No swivel but you can use it wireless if you want to point it elsewhere. I find they are best as a back up to a 3600 or 5600, but pretty good on its own.

[pavelp]

<i>(How come I have never found this site before ? !!!!!)</i>

<br><br>

We are hiding here from our spouses, so we speak real quiet.

<br><br>

 

Anyway, to your question: check also 5400xi units. They are replaced by the 5600HSD now, so you can find one quite cheap. It has lots of firepower, wireless off-camera capability (it can also be a wireless control unit (controls other off-camera flashes)), swivel and bounce.

[bill_thorlin]

Thank you all for your replies - fully informative yet succinct.

As regards the 5400xi , this has never flashed across my horizons (if you will excuse the pun)and I have not as yet seen one for sale but will now keep a look out.

I find that if I start to get semi-technical (my level) the spouses eyes glaze over and I am away - very supportive to be truthful.

Thanks again.

[larrybc]

Bill, I've used a 3500xi for years and years and it has performed wonderfully. However, if you are thinking of getting a Minolta digital camera in the near future that can use an external flash, you should stick to the 3600HS D or 5600HS D units. Anything else isn't going to be 100% compatible.

 

I've just bought a 3600HS D (USD$130 used) and will be picking up a 5600HS D later on.

 

Larry