got some new flashes

jmbradd · 06-20-2009, 11:10 PM

went to a used camera store and was looking for flashes. All they had were newer flashes and I told the guy "i'm looking for some old fully manual flashes" and he said "oh over by the canon lenses"....there were no old flashes there just newer generic ones. Decided to look at bags and noticed a box of flashes! Ended up geting a sunpak 333 for 10 dollars and some albinar 91CAN-IR for 19. Not too bad, can't wait to get triggers! Both are tilt/swivel and I feel already the 333 is an insane bargain. Full manual control and a little switch to move down from full to 1/16th power.

Will post some pics later, I was using the sunpak on body today (after testing voltage) and absolutely love it. I don't know how i'd live without a swivel flash, its incredibly useful when you wanna switch over to portrait and still bounce off the ceiling.

Anyone else have any experiences with these flashes? I can find next to nothing on the albinar and the sunpak is old but useful. Goal was to get some vivitar 285's new cause of the warranty but if I can find a few more 10 dollar sunpaks....why not?

edit:here is a pic, rest i shot on raw so it will take longer....(why did i waste my time?)

MPrince · 06-21-2009, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by jmbradd

Goal was to get some vivitar 285's new cause of the warranty

Who needs a warranty when you can get a deal like that?

Great find on the flash, and a wonderful photo.

GerryL · 06-23-2009, 02:12 PM

That's usin' your noggin..

Nice outcome too!

*Ash* · 06-23-2009, 02:25 PM

Can't beat the old manual flashes for value...

shadowulf · 06-23-2009, 04:36 PM

Sounds like my recent ebay win. The grand total was under $14 for 2 Chinese made 283s. Trigger voltage on both is under 9 volts and 3 cords included (1 coiled and 2 short PC cords).

jmbradd · 06-23-2009, 11:06 PM

well, my curiosity may have gotten the best of me. After using the sunpak awhile it became clear the flash was not reducing on power (or duration) when I moved the slider so I opened up, bunch of crap fell out and now i'm learning about flashes. I did find one disconnected wire so thats a start.

Before you all launch into me, I enjoy learning new things, even if its at the expense of 10 dollars. I definantly like the sunpak flashes though! swivel is incredibly useful and a much bigger deal than I initially thought.

ps. I'm using this as an excuse to look for some cool mods to do to the flash once I get it operational =)

pps. I do hope to end up with some viv 283's, also ordering some of those ctr-301's reviewed here earlier once I get paid!

MPrince · 06-24-2009, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by jmbradd

well, my curiosity may have gotten the best of me. After using the sunpak awhile it became clear the flash was not reducing on power (or duration) when I moved the slider so I opened up, bunch of crap fell out and now i'm learning about flashes. I did find one disconnected wire so thats a start.

Before you all launch into me, I enjoy learning new things, even if its at the expense of 10 dollars. I definantly like the sunpak flashes though! swivel is incredibly useful and a much bigger deal than I initially thought.

I don't know the first thing about electronics, but I wouldn't hesitate to take apart something I only paid $10 for. No big deal.

I do hope to end up with some viv 283's, also ordering some of those ctr-301's reviewed here earlier once I get paid!

If I'm not mistaken, the ctr-301's are one of the cheap chinese triggers. No harm in getting a set, but believe me when I tell you that at some point you will become disenchanted with them.

I recommend you take a look at Cybersyncs. High quality at a reasonable price, backed up by a company highly regarded for customer service.

jmbradd · 06-24-2009, 07:11 AM

I figure I will go with whats cheap since my budget is very limited and the only thing I'd be wasting is my time (which is free to me =) ). If I ever get into a situation where I'm trying to do paid gigs, I'd upgrade, but for the price its hard to beat. The youtube reviews and the review just a few posts down on here are extremely favorable!

*res3567* · 06-24-2009, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by jmbradd

I figure I will go with whats cheap since my budget is very limited and the only thing I'd be wasting is my time (which is free to me =) ). If I ever get into a situation where I'm trying to do paid gigs, I'd upgrade, but for the price its hard to beat. The youtube reviews and the review just a few posts down on here are extremely favorable!

To those who have visited my review of the CTR01, I am not recommending it to pros except for a backup. The prouct has already failed me with the one bad reciever. The remaining reciever is still working fine. I have a WEIN panut slave to use with my other flash so I am not in dire straights nor do I shoot professionally all of the time. I do want the other reciever to work and did send it back.

To me, this was clearly aimed at photographers on a budget, or for working pros as a backup.

A pro would be probably using:

Pocket Wizards.
Cybersyncs.
Flash waves.

These units are expensive, but are FAR MORE RELIABLE.

That is what working pros demand as they depend on good working equipment to get paid.