I've gone and done it. I've broken my replacement flash for the one I broke last time in the exact same bloody way! They were only cheap Jessops 360AFD's but as they dont make them for Pentax/Samsung anymore there's no chance of buying another (maybe eBay but thats not showing much either at the minute).

Luckily the 360AFDs can be used as slaves which trigger when another flash fires. This means with the hotshoe broken I can still get some use from them (to light a white background, etc)

What to do now though? I have an ongoing project taking photos of baby Emily and I simply cannot do without a flash. I've had a look around and if I want something half decent without spending too much the options look like the Metz 48 or Sigma 530.

From what I can tell the Sigma is slightly more powerful (higher GN) and cheaper but the quality and build of the Metz is better and can be updated via USB

Sigma 530 approx £120 (I've seen a more expensive 'Super' model too for closer to £200)
Metz 48 approx £150-£170

Any thoughts?

Can't you use the built-in flash to trigger the unit you've broken as a short term option. You may have to rig something up to diffuse/reflect but it should be possible.

It is possible but its the issue of holding/mounting the broken flash in a position whilst trying to take a photo of a baby (they're not easy when they start to wiggle and roll ) and getting rid of the unwanted on camera flash.

I'm looking at the situation and thinking I'd be better abandoning my hopes of buying a Diana lomo camera at the end of the week and getting a new flash.

After the weekend disaster of a Christening (the pub doing the function/after party was absolutely shocking) I cant be doing with the stress of faffing around all week checking reviews and specs and features. I ordered the Metz from SRS Microsystems for a not too shabby £149 + 7.99 postage.

Done!

My camera has a wireless flash mode which the manual states can be wireless commander or master. What's the difference between commander and master?

I think I've got it now

When in wireless mode the pop-up flash 'talks' to the slave units by means of a series of flashes

Commander mode means the flashes dont add to the exposure of the scene and simply 'talks' to the slave(s)

Master mode means the flash acts as both a flash in its own right adding to the exposue and communicates with the slave(s)

No difference, same ego and arrogance.

Just a quick mini review

Firstly the service from SRS Microsystems was top notch. I ordered in the afternoon and the flash came the next day.

The flash itself feels like a nice product. Much better build quality than the Jessops. Buttons feel good and the flash is a decent size adding to the solid feel.

It features a GN of 48, built in reflector/diffuser and wide angle (18mm) convertor. The head tilts up to 90 degrees and down 7 degrees to help with closeup shots. It also swivels. A button on the side locks the flash into place in the standard forward facing position.

Somthing to note is that the head does not stay in position with a GF Lightshpere attached

The flash has P-TTL modes and TTL as well as manual with power increments, etc. I've not tested everything yet but so far so good. It also charges silently which is strange when you are used to the whiiiiirrrrrrrr. A nice bright green button lets you know when the flash is ready though.