Benefits of having an external flash for DSLR?

I'm still a beginner with photography but I have a Nikon D80 and am thinking of getting an SB 600, as people seem to recommend getting an external flash. I was hoping for some explanation of benefits that come with getting one of these. Thanks!Benefits of having an external flash for DSLR?
The SB600 is a great flash (I love mine) that gives you a nice balance of performance and economy.





An external flash moves the flash lamp further away from the center of the camera lens. That cuts back on red-eye that ruins many pictures.





Extra reach is another positive, as any external flash will illuminate subjects much further way than a built-in flash can.





Finally, a great external flash like the SB600 allows you to bounce the light off ceiling, for a more natural lighting than direct flash. The SB600 can also swivel sideways, for those times when you turn the cameras into ';portrait'; mode.





There are inexpensive diffuser and bounce units for external flashes that can really help your flash photos look very natural.





Look for brands like Lumiquest, Stofen, and Lightsphere. I use one of these products, (or a homemade version) for virtually all my flash shots.Benefits of having an external flash for DSLR?
Thanks, I would be asking this question right now, but it seems you already got some great answers. Thanks for all the contributors, I will definitely be getting and SB600. Report Abuse

In addition, your external flash (sb 600) will have a focus lamp. A red light helps the focusing of the camera.





Also, your cameras batteries will last longer as you have a separate battery for the flash and your not using your cameras batteries for flash.





Also, you will gain the use of high speed sync. Its high tech. Try this with your current setup. Pop up the flash, select shutter priority (Tv), and then try to select a speed faster than 1/250th (will look like 250). Try to use 1/500th and take a shot. It wont let you. But with the SB 600 you could go that fast. Its not something that a beginner would use right away but its there.





The SB 600 can also be used as an off camera flash. I believe the D80 can control it off camera with just the flash thats built into your camera. You'd have to look into that further.





And lastly the SB 600 is like 4 or 5 times more powerful than your pop up flash.
He beat me to it. :)





In addition, if you're using a wide lens or a lens hood you'll notice that your built in flash is obscured. The result is a shadow, half moon effect on all of your pictures.


You don't have to worry about that with a raised flash.
External flash mean more control and off camera flash


What this means is that you not only do you control the intensity of the light, but also the direction
More powerful. My camera doesn't even have a flash built in.





http://www.flickr.com/photos/little_pook鈥?/a>



Reduced likelihood of red-eye.