Well, I bought my 1st 283, if memory serves, in late 1975, when it first came out. And I sold that flash in 1984 or so. But I just bnought another one, because, for what it's worth, it offers a lot of flash for the money, and can't be beat. I think I spent more in 1975 then I just did now. How many other things can you say that about?

Sturdy, standard flash. Very Reliable.

None

My father bought this flash around 1976/77 somewhere in NYC. While he is gone now, this flash just keeps on going and going. This the closest thing to a steady, durable workhorse that you can get. It is the Seiko or Duracell of Camera Flashes. All products should only be this sturdy and useful.

Customer Service

Never used

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Contax 360TLA, Sunpak

Very rugged and seems indistructible

I have been experiencing trouble lately, after 26 years of use, with the switch which will not turn the unit on all the time.

I bought my 283 for under $70.00 without accessories in 1976 for my then new Nikon F2. In 45 plus years of experience in 35mm photography, I never had a more versatile and better performing flash than the 283. It is simple and easy to use and will provide all the lighting needed for every occasion.

Customer Service

I will contact them for answers to the switch problem.

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Nikon's SB-20 which is more automatic but less versatile, in my opinion.

I just keep buying them. You absolutely cannot get a better flash for the money. None of the snazzy TTL stuff with newer flashes, but if you are using it for off-camera work, you can't use that anyway. Oh, and they're cheap.

Can't think of any now...

Really just the best bang for your buck. Buy a whole bunch of these and some peanut slaves for less than the price of some higher-end TTL flashes. Probably not the best flash for point-and shooters, but hopefully then your camera came with one built in.

Customer Service

Don't know..

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Canon 330 EX

Reasonably priced, super reliable flash that is plenty powerful and delivers accurate exposures in automatic mode.

None

A great flash! I’ve had mine for 22 years and love the thing.

Customer Service

Never used it. I had the flash repaired once, but it was done by an independent repair shop.

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None

Powerful, fairly light, available sync cord with on-camera sensor, plug in AC adaptor, accessories plentiful, used units easily purchased for $50 or less.

Foot breaks easily, but can be replaced with metal aftermarket shoe such as "Flash Foot One".

I use the 283 on a bracket for weddings, portraits, and other events. I have three and wouldn't get rid of any of them. With a Quantum battery and module it is unbeatable.

Customer Service

None needed.

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None

This is the workhorse of flash units. Dependable, inexpensive, with adequate power for most jobs requiring flash.

The foot is a bit weak structurally, but since I use the 283 with F series nikon cameras, I keep the foot permanently locked onto an adapter shoe (F users will know what I mean).

A great all-round unit. Look for one made in Japan. The one repair problem I had was for a unit made elsewhere (Korea or Taiwan).

Customer Service

Had one repair experience which was a disaster. But the flash is so inexpensive I just bought another one.

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Have used old Honeywell flash units and Nikon TTL units that I use with an AF Nikon F70

Work horse. Keeps going no matter what abuse you put it through.

Weak footing.

Great value. Able to take the punches of any day-to-day shooting. Not delicate like the newer sophisticated units on the market.

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Very powerful for its small size. Automatic flash sensor gets exposure right almost all of the time. Inexpensive, versatile, reliable. Plug slaves into them and use a couple to bounce light an entire room.

The foot seems fragile and doesn't lock down very securely into a hot shoe.

Outstanding value -- get a couple of them to produce really outstanding multi-flash lighting indoors.

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Canon 430EX has more controls and better automatic exposure (dedicated), but at 6 times the price! The Vivitar is a gre

It has enough power to light up most any scene. Has been in production for a long time, so many accesories are available.

None, with the operation of the flash. It is sort of big to carry around though.

I inherited the one I have from my father (which means it is probably over 20 years old). I have used it with a few cameras and really like it. It is great flash, but does make most cameras top heavy and quite bulky to use. I prefer using this with my MF TLR's.

Customer Service

Never tried them.

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Minolta AF4000 & Focus (cheapo brand) unit