# Searching for: Camera Flash (hot shoe)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 4, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011 "2003-05-04T13:38:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011/1 "2003-05-04T13:38:25Z")
-
-
- Cheap. Are there any? I want to find either a -very- cheap hot-shoe flash, or the cheapest, simplest camera available (no autofocus/exposure/digital) that has a reusable flash built-in. (I am interested in the electroinc circuit that drives the flash more than any general camera-related use.) The only two hot-shoe flashes I seem to be able to turn up online cost $200+ and $300+. I realize that these are generally upper-level accessories, but aren’t there _any_ cheapo-plastic Chinese brands out there? I haven’t a clue on where to look, and I can’t read Chinese…
~
---
### Author:  [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011/2 "2003-05-04T13:56:07Z")
Have you considerse a disposable flash camera?
---
### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011/3 "2003-05-04T14:00:58Z")
Do you need a “dedicated” flash for a particular camera brand, or just a basic one without TTL metering? If the latter, there many models available for under $50. Try looking at the [B&H](http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) on-line catalog or similar mail-order shops. I’ve had good luck with my cheap (~$40) Sunpak flash.
---
### Author:  [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011/4 "2003-05-04T14:57:30Z")
Vivitar or Sunpak
new or used
I’ve found some for $1.00 before.
So, you just want the thyristor?
Ask a camera repair shop to let you ravage their junk pile.
---
### Author:  [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-camera-flash-hot-shoe/173011/5 "2003-05-04T15:26:26Z")
Pawn shops—Especially in military towns. The photography selection is often quite good and regularly quite cheap…but be sure to test it first.