The Sunpak 555 is an awesome flash and with the PT-2D Pentax module, it will dedicate to all Pentax film cameras and have off the film flash metering with the LX, Super Program, Pz-1/Z-1 series, MZ S and *ist D. On modern digital bodies, the remote, shoe mounted flash sensor works very well for standard autoflash. Price is a steal. The PT-2D module also fits the 444D shoemount flash.

[Lord Lucan]

.
That's nice. I have the simpler but similar 455 (three of them in fact, one not working). The 455 has the same power but lacks the dedication option and has only three auto and one manual mode (at full power). Sunpak model numbers are very confusing, and they even had different numbers for different markets (or periods of time?). The 555 is also known as the G4500DX (in Europe?), and the 455 is also known as the G4500. They all have GN of 45m at standard beam angle. I also have a 544 (or 4205G) which has four auto levels and 7 manual, with the slightly lower GN of 42.

[Lord Lucan]

The same one came up on Ebay, with an option to ship to the UK, and I've just bought it! Not received yet. The basic price, to include a Pentax module, is really good. The shipping is nearly as much again, but even that is cheap compared with most USA shipping costs and totalling £50 it is still a bargain. There are individual parts of these big Sunpaks being sold (or not sold) for silly prices, like a battery holder for £16, a gel holder for £14*, and a bracket for £12. I can't see whether this one has a battery holder (or its condition) but I have spares anyway.

This will be my 5th Sunpak hammerhead (one is non-functional for spares), but with the 555 I shall now try selling my two 455s - I got the two of them for £12! The only Sunpak hammerhead (with GN 40+) missing from my collection is the monster 622, which rarely come up in the UK.

* The filter / telephoto attachment method of the big Sunpak hammerheads is a poor, flimsy arrangement. The Pentax AF400T / AF280T / AF200T did it much better.

[steamloco76]

The same one came up on Ebay, with an option to ship to the UK, and I've just bought it! Not received yet. The basic price, to include a Pentax module, is really good. The shipping is nearly as much again, but even that is cheap compared with most USA shipping costs and totalling £50 it is still a bargain. There are individual parts of these big Sunpaks being sold (or not sold) for silly prices, like a battery holder for £16, a gel holder for £14*, and a bracket for £12. I can't see whether this one has a battery holder (or its condition) but I have spares anyway.

This will be my 5th Sunpak hammerhead (one is non-functional for spares), but with the 555 I shall now try selling my two 455s - I got the two of them for £12! The only Sunpak hammerhead (with GN 40+) missing from my collection is the monster 622, which rarely come up in the UK.

* The filter / telephoto attachment method of the big Sunpak hammerheads is a poor, flimsy arrangement. The Pentax AF400T / AF280T / AF200T did it much better.

I am glad to hear you were able to buy the 555. Mine survived ten years of daily photojournalist abuse in the 1990’s and performs like new to this day. I have seen the PT-2D modules with no cord sell for $50-75 on eBay.