Powerful flash used by enthusiasts and professionals alike. Features bounce/swivel head, 3 f/stop auto ranges, manual control with power ratio from fu
Powerful flash used by enthusiasts and professionals alike. Features bounce/swivel head, 3 f/stop auto ranges, manual control with power ratio from full to 1/16, exposure OK lamp. • Guide No. 120 • Auto Range: 2.3–60 ft • Supplied with PC cord • Uses 4 AA batteries or external battery packs • Covers 35mm lens
Purcahsed to suppliment my handle-mount flash. Very accurate exposure in auto mode. Costs at least $100 less than dedicated models. Really has the power to cover distance when needed or when using a diffuser. Battery life & recycle time OK. Optional battery pack costs more than the flash! A great performer for the price. Low trigger voltage so it works well with today's digital SLR's. Non-dedcated allows flash to be used on a variety of camera models with no compromise in performance. Powerful enough for pro use, simple operation for the occasional photographer.
What a neet little flash unit. Have used it as a backlight and fill flash, triggered by my Metz 45CL4 at countless weddings.
It's a compact, grab and go flash when TTL flash isn't needed, like when shooting with a Canon F1, and some fill light outdoors would be beneficial...and indoors for friendly, informal shooting when I'd rather be part of the group, than "Mr. Photographer" with that intimidating, monster-sized pro-rig."
Strengths:
Good power to weight ratio; manual ratios down to one eigth; three auto F: stops; three way bounce head (put an Omni-Bounce on it for softer, nearly shadowless indoor flash shots.)
Weaknesses:
Won't carry my camera bag, won't survive a fall from the G.G. bridge, won't make ugly subjects beautiful; other than those, none. :^)
Rating Reviewed by: Bill (Unregistered User)
(Casual)
Review Date August 3, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Review 4 of 12
Price Paid:
$89.00
from Allen's Camera
Summary:
Great flash for the money. Auto-tryister settings are sufficient for most work. GN of 120 makes it as powerful as many of the more expensive, TTL flashes. Low voltage for this type of flash so can be used on cameras like my EOS ELAN II. Sunpak's 383 flash is superior to the Vivitar 283 and 285 series
Strengths:
Small size. Bounce and swivel. Easy to read distance scale. Controls are easy to use. Can be set to show meters or feet on distance scale.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Vivitar 285. Also used Sunpak 522 and 544 auto-trysister, handle mount flashes.
Customer Service:
Outstanding support from Allen's camera. Best photography store in the Philadelphia area. (No this is not a paid advertisement and I do not work there!)
The perfect non-TTL shoemount flash. Intuitive sliding switches, easy to use. The only thing I had to consult the manual for was the one-time adjustment from feet to meters. Decent power and accurate exposures. Three auto modes. Bounce AND swivel head. Doesn't turn off until you purposely switch it off (unlike that doggone "auto-off" Vivitar 2800 I had before this, that kept shutting itself off at the worst possible moments). For even more versatility get the FK-1 color gel set (which requires Holder/Adapter 12), listed under flash accessories at B&H.
Strengths:
Cheap, durable, reliable, simple. Three auto modes should be enough for anyone (f2, f4, f8 at ISO 100). Best part is that the flash is always ready, there is no BS "auto-off" function to screw you over.
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