Good manual flash under $100? (Besides YN-560)

geekette · 05-23-2011, 01:19 PM

I don't like the 1/360th (or so) flash duration of the YN-560 at full power. I need a manual flash, under $100 that does the following:

1. Guide number of around 38 meters at 35mm at 100 ISO.
2. Flash Duration at full power of 1/800s or faster.
3. Tilt
4. Swivel
5. Zoom
6. Manual settings down past 1/16th, and in fractions of f stops if possible

I like the YN-460ii, since it does all but zoom above. But I really need zoom flashes now as I already have two that aren't zoom. My Sunpak 433 D does all above but doesn't have zoom as well. I don't want to get the FA-1 adapter for my Vivitar 283 because that fresnel filter kit with that adapter is expensive and BULKY--my 283 is bulky enough as is with my DIY variable power controller, lol.

I'll probably end up getting the YN-560 still, but hope there is something better out there in the same price range or a little higher (under $100 firm)

northcoastgreg · 05-23-2011, 01:45 PM

The closest you'll get to those specs for under $100 is the Nikon SB-24 and 25. Those flashes zoom, tilt, swivel, go down past 1/16 and have a GN of 36 at 35mm.

geekette · 05-23-2011, 01:52 PM

Thanks Greg, looking into that flash--looks good so far. So I can manually control the zoom as well?

DaveHolmes · 05-23-2011, 06:38 PM

Lumopro are getting good 'speak' on strobist forums (flickr & blogspot) but they look like twice the price of yongnuo offerings here in the UK...

As they're a yank company I assume they're a bit cheaper over there... (?)

clockwork247 · 05-27-2011, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

The closest you'll get to those specs for under $100 is the Nikon SB-24 and 25. Those flashes zoom, tilt, swivel, go down past 1/16 and have a GN of 36 at 35mm.

sb24 is stuck at 1/16, it won't go down any further than that. the sb-26 i think go down 2 more stops.

the sb-24 is about 60 and the sb-26 is over 100 though lol, i do not think it'll zoom with a pentax camera since there's no electronic contact (it'll zoom if you manually press the zoom button).

05-23-2011, 01:19 PM	#1
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Good manual flash under $100? (Besides YN-560) I don't like the 1/360th (or so) flash duration of the YN-560 at full power. I need a manual flash, under $100 that does the following: 1. Guide number of around 38 meters at 35mm at 100 ISO. 2. Flash Duration at full power of 1/800s or faster. 3. Tilt 4. Swivel 5. Zoom 6. Manual settings down past 1/16th, and in fractions of f stops if possible I like the YN-460ii, since it does all but zoom above. But I really need zoom flashes now as I already have two that aren't zoom. My Sunpak 433 D does all above but doesn't have zoom as well. I don't want to get the FA-1 adapter for my Vivitar 283 because that fresnel filter kit with that adapter is expensive and BULKY--my 283 is bulky enough as is with my DIY variable power controller, lol. I'll probably end up getting the YN-560 still, but hope there is something better out there in the same price range or a little higher (under $100 firm)

05-23-2011, 01:45 PM	#2
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,174	The closest you'll get to those specs for under $100 is the Nikon SB-24 and 25. Those flashes zoom, tilt, swivel, go down past 1/16 and have a GN of 36 at 35mm. Last edited by northcoastgreg; 05-24-2011 at 01:23 PM.

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05-23-2011, 01:52 PM	#3
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Thanks Greg, looking into that flash--looks good so far. So I can manually control the zoom as well?

05-23-2011, 06:38 PM	#4
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Lumopro are getting good 'speak' on strobist forums (flickr & blogspot) but they look like twice the price of yongnuo offerings here in the UK... As they're a yank company I assume they're a bit cheaper over there... (?)

05-27-2011, 12:55 PM	#5
clockwork247 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 360	Originally posted by northcoastgreg The closest you'll get to those specs for under $100 is the Nikon SB-24 and 25. Those flashes zoom, tilt, swivel, go down past 1/16 and have a GN of 36 at 35mm. sb24 is stuck at 1/16, it won't go down any further than that. the sb-26 i think go down 2 more stops. the sb-24 is about 60 and the sb-26 is over 100 though lol, i do not think it'll zoom with a pentax camera since there's no electronic contact (it'll zoom if you manually press the zoom button).