Just got a Sunpack 433 D for $40 (plus tax) today at the local camera shop--was sold on consignment. It makes such a nice, affordable, on camera flash that is both automatic and manual:
1. 120 foot Guide Number.
2. Tilt
3. Swivel
4. 3 Auto Modes
5. A manual mode with FULL, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 settings.
6. Measured 3 volts trigger voltage on the shoe.
7. Ligther than a Vivitar 283 so it makes it easier to use on the camera. Vivitar 283 weighs 1lb 2oz and the Sunpak 433 D weighs 14.2 oz.
The only thing that is missing is zoom, but this is so strong @ 120GN it will reach pretty far. And I guess I can always make a DIY fresnal lens attachment for it if I wanted. Like for strobing distant birds or something.
I was going to get the Pentax AF280T for $50 off ebay but I decided this one was better: full manual control, more power.
This flash is really everything I needed (minus zoom) as I don't really care for TTL. The auto mode on the flash works well enough and is compatible with ALL slr cameras.. I can't stand how TTL is so proprietary and has undergone incompatible revisions within the same camera manufacturer.
Note: this Sunpak 433 D was made for Minolta bodies, meaning it is TTL capable; so I am going to disconnect those two pins by disconnecting two wires inside the unit--easy to do I believe: 4 screws. I read a posting somewhere on this forum where someone else was also recommending this flash and I see why. They also said to buy the one for canon, not nikon or minolta because of the TTL pinouts causing problems with the pentax (or potentially damaging it?) But this isn't a problem for me since I haven't yet put it directly into my camera (had a Cactus V5 inbetween) and I am going to disconnect those TTL pin wires inside the unit.
I'll reply more to this thread after I've played around with it more
BTW, I need to research and find out what the flash duration is on this wonderful flash, at full power. Hopefully 1/800 to 1/1000 of sec. (The Yongnuo YN-560 is a slow 1/200 at full power--on paper at least and have heard it actually is faster than that.)
UPDATE: best thumbscrew I've seen on any of the flashes I have (or have had: had a defective yn-560 for a day or two). It really tightens down well and the flash doesn't wiggle whatsoever in my k-x.
Last edited by geekette; 05-19-2011 at 06:01 AM.