Looking for some strong manual flashes

SALUKIS97 · 03-09-2010, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by StarDust

Is the Vivitar 285HV the version I want to buy in order not to fry electronics?
What about the Sunpak 383. No comments on that flash?

Any new Vivitar 285HV will not fry your hotshoe.

I've not used a Sunpak 383 but I have been looking at a used one at a local camera shop. Seems like a solid flash for strobist purposes. I didn't notice a zoom feature which I didn't like, but other than that it seemed like a decent flash.

StarDust · 03-17-2010, 04:26 PM

It turns out I found a good deal on a Metz 48 which is an upgrade from my 360 and adds another flash to my collection. Don't fret though, I will be buying more flashes in the future

jmbradd · 03-17-2010, 10:51 PM

285's are awesome. I somehow acquired a fairly large amount of strobes for not much money by bidding at the last second on ebay (and sticking to what I wanted to pay). Also getting very lucky with some "as-is" gear.

Biggest prize: (2) AF500ftz's and 2 other flashes i've kind of forgotten about for 50 bucks shipped. Average out the price and thats less than 15 bucks per flash. The kicker? Both af500ftz's work perfectly! Ad said "untested, scuff marks, reported to have intermittant sync issues"....for me wanting learn/experiment intermittant issues were perfectly acceptable. So far no problems.

Not saying you should expect to find that kind of thing, just letting to you know ebay is a decent source. My 3 strobe combo is currently the 2 af500ftz's and the vivitar 285 (all with appropriate voltages).

Anyway in short: go after vivitar 285's and 283's but don't forget about flashes like the sunpak 422d or pentax af500ftz's. Additionally, nikon sb-26's are great and around 100 bucks usually.

macopajuice · 03-19-2010, 06:10 AM

Here's the new 285HV from Gadget Infinity.....

Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash :: Cactus KF36 Full Manual Adjustable Flash

StarDust · 03-19-2010, 04:15 PM

Really cool! Gadget Infinity is really creating a market with the affordable stuff, I already have the V4 triggers. But I don't fully get the guide number:
"Guide Number 120-ISO 100ft/ 36-DIN 21m"
Is it 120 as what recall the old 285's are at?

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03-09-2010, 07:34 AM	#16
SALUKIS97 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dawg Country Posts: 41	Originally posted by StarDust Is the Vivitar 285HV the version I want to buy in order not to fry electronics? What about the Sunpak 383. No comments on that flash? Any new Vivitar 285HV will not fry your hotshoe. I've not used a Sunpak 383 but I have been looking at a used one at a local camera shop. Seems like a solid flash for strobist purposes. I didn't notice a zoom feature which I didn't like, but other than that it seemed like a decent flash.

03-17-2010, 04:26 PM	#17
StarDust Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Posts: 400 Original Poster	It turns out I found a good deal on a Metz 48 which is an upgrade from my 360 and adds another flash to my collection. Don't fret though, I will be buying more flashes in the future

03-17-2010, 10:51 PM	#18
jmbradd Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portland, OR Photos: Albums Posts: 325	285's are awesome. I somehow acquired a fairly large amount of strobes for not much money by bidding at the last second on ebay (and sticking to what I wanted to pay). Also getting very lucky with some "as-is" gear. Biggest prize: (2) AF500ftz's and 2 other flashes i've kind of forgotten about for 50 bucks shipped. Average out the price and thats less than 15 bucks per flash. The kicker? Both af500ftz's work perfectly! Ad said "untested, scuff marks, reported to have intermittant sync issues"....for me wanting learn/experiment intermittant issues were perfectly acceptable. So far no problems. Not saying you should expect to find that kind of thing, just letting to you know ebay is a decent source. My 3 strobe combo is currently the 2 af500ftz's and the vivitar 285 (all with appropriate voltages). Anyway in short: go after vivitar 285's and 283's but don't forget about flashes like the sunpak 422d or pentax af500ftz's. Additionally, nikon sb-26's are great and around 100 bucks usually.

03-19-2010, 06:10 AM	#19
macopajuice Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manila, Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 59	Here's the new 285HV from Gadget Infinity..... Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash :: Cactus KF36 Full Manual Adjustable Flash

03-19-2010, 04:15 PM	#20
StarDust Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Posts: 400 Original Poster	Really cool! Gadget Infinity is really creating a market with the affordable stuff, I already have the V4 triggers. But I don't fully get the guide number: "Guide Number 120-ISO 100ft/ 36-DIN 21m" Is it 120 as what recall the old 285's are at?

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