Sunpak 383 or Vivitar 285HV?

[activex]

Hi guys, I am trying to decide whether to get a Sunpak Super 383 or Vivitar 285HV flash. Looks like the main difference is that the Sunpak has a swivel head while the Vivitar has a zoom head, right? What are the advantages of each of the two features, i.e. swivel and zoom? Which one do you think I should get? btw I am totally new to external flash.

I know the Sunpak is not easily available in S'pore, but I have the opportunity to get one from overseas, so trying to decide....

 

[mpenza]

go for Sunpak 383. If I'm not wrong, it has the same features as the Vivitar 285HV but could swivel in addition.

 

[reflecx]

You can't buy Sunpak flashes new in Singapore, there is no agent here. But swivel is more useful than zoom. Swivel allows you to turn the flash head and bounce the flash off walls, or the ceiling if you're holding the camera vertically. Zoom concentrates the flash so that it reaches further.

 

[mpenza]

really? I must have missed the part abt zoom head!

hmm... that leaves the Metz 32 Z-1 with swivel, tilt, zoom head.... but it's a bit weaker and there's no manual power adjustment. It's also more expensive though. However, with the zoom head it might be as powerful as the Sunpak 383 for far distance shots.....

anyway, while you're in US, you could also check out promaster's flash.
http://promaster.com/default.htm

 

[mpenza]

realise you can get the zoom/wide head separately for the Sunpak 383.....

 

[activex]

How important is the zoom head? Does it make a big difference in the power of the Vivitar 285hv compared to Sunpak 383? Still wondering which is the better choice..

 

[Teo]

Personally I like the Sunpak 383 for its swivel head and power ratio to 1/16. As for the Zoom attachment, it will be useful if you often using tele lens. Optional 20mm wide angle attachment can be use too.

You could check other Sunpak model which is the same as 383.
they are :
3600, 36FD, 433-- Fixed dedicated shoe
36DX, 444 ---------interchangeable shoe

The Vivitar looks more bulky to me.


cheers

 

[mpenza]

handled the Sunpak 383 (it's branded under Quantaray in RitzCamera but sells for USD100!!!) and feels more compact and less bulky. Didn't test it though ;p

 

[reflecx]

Originally posted by activex
How important is the zoom head? Does it make a big difference in the power of the Vivitar 285hv compared to Sunpak 383? Still wondering which is the better choice..

If you are interested I can sell you my Sunpak TL-8 (Sunpak 383 zoom attachment with bounce reflector). Then you can have the best of both worlds.

http://www.pbase.com/image/3641242/original

 

[activex]

Thanks everyone for your input!

reflecx, may I ask how the TL-8 attachment works? What kind of range does it extend the flash to? I can't seem to find much info on this on the Net...

 

[reflecx]

Originally posted by activex

reflecx, may I ask how the TL-8 attachment works? What kind of range does it extend the flash to? I can't seem to find much info on this on the Net...

There is a groove on the 383 head, and the TL-8 slides into the groove. The TL-8 can be pulled in and out to set the zoom level, from 35mm to 105mm. The bounce reflector can be folded down when not in used, it is used to bounce some light directly to your subject when you tilt the flash head.

I believe the stated guide no increases from 120 to 170 with the zoom attachment.