is this a good flash?

Village Idiot · 11-05-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by jstuedle

If you were to pick up and examine say a $90 Sunpack 383 and a 6-10 year old Nikon SB-28 or SB-80DX for the same price you will be amazed in the vast difference in build quality and features. The Sunpack is very light and flimsy. It lacks a zoom head and standard PC connection. But, the Sunpack I believe a better value than the ebay flash mentioned here. It's just basic eco-101. You get what you pay for. A new SB-800 my be $350, but will out perform and out last cheaper flashes by a very large margin. Used high end flashes are a bargain for the Strobist shooter, and the SB-28 is one of the Strobist mainstays. A lot of value for the dollar even after the wear and tear of it's original owner.

You can get Vivitar 283's for about $35 on ebay. They're considered tanks and are very reliable and durable. Plus, they're putting out as much power as most modern speed lights iirc.

You get what you pay for also means you get a brand name that you pay for.

toofpaste · 11-05-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

holy cow, i learned more watching that then the two semesters of photography i took...thank you very much!

This place is amazing. You will learn a crap load of information. Just isn't in any way as laid back as ls1

third_shift|studios · 11-05-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Alleh Lindquist

That one on ebay looks like junk. I would suggest a used SB-28 or 26 over that.

www.strobist.com learn to light

Quote: Originally Posted by toofpaste

This place is amazing. You will learn a crap load of information. Just isn't in any way as laid back as ls1

lmfao....i thought i recalled your name! that's weird...never thought I'd see and ls1 memeber on another site that wasn't car related.

toofpaste · 11-05-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

lmfao....i thought i recalled your name! that's weird...never thought I'd see and ls1 memeber on another site that wasn't car related.

Still LS related photography haha

Alleh Lindquist · 11-05-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

is that b/c of lack of features, or does a flash have to be over $200 to constitute as "quality"

A Nikon SB-28 can be had on ebay for around $100 same as the junk ebay flash. I own 2 and use them all the time.

third_shift|studios · 11-05-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by toofpaste

Still LS related photography haha

nice shot, bro!!! Is that a vette?

third_shift|studios · 11-05-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Alleh Lindquist

A Nikon SB-28 can be had on ebay for around $100 same as the junk ebay flash. I own 2 and use them all the time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB28-SB-28...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks for the tip!!! how do i find a way to make work with my hot shoe?

Early · 11-05-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB28-SB-28...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks for the tip!!! how do i find a way to make work with my hot shoe?

I doubt if you can, at least not with any dedication. But do stick to a known brand if you're not buying a Sony flash, like Metz and Sunpak. You also have to get a unit that's dedicated to your camera.
Try this! Someone is selling his whole outfit.
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/aka-ranma

**jstuedle** · 11-05-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot

You can get Vivitar 283's for about $35 on ebay. They're considered tanks and are very reliable and durable. Plus, they're putting out as much power as most modern speed lights iirc.

You get what you pay for also means you get a brand name that you pay for.

I admit the Vivitar is a little tougher than the Sunpack. The 283 does have a rap of breaking off it's shoe foot, also older units can have a danderiously high trigger voltage that can fry a modern cameras inards. I still prefer the build and features of the SB series. A zoom head is a must for most of my work, and there durability is simply amazing. I prefer the SB-28 and 80DX for Strobist work. The SB-80DX has a slightly longer zoom range (out to 135 as opposed to 85) and can have the standby feature toggled off for use with Pocket Wizards. Otherwise the SB-28 and 28DX are just about identical. Still, for $25-35 used, a lot of light can be had by the Vivitar and Sunpack flashes.

Village Idiot · 11-06-2008, 09:09 AM

The Vivitars have zoom heads. It's manual zoom and it's marked wide, normal, and long, but they have the capability.

toofpaste · 11-07-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

nice shot, bro!!! Is that a vette?

yezzir, 06 c6 pushing 450 rw

third_shift|studios · 11-10-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Early

I doubt if you can, at least not with any dedication. But do stick to a known brand if you're not buying a Sony flash, like Metz and Sunpak. You also have to get a unit that's dedicated to your camera.
Try this! Someone is selling his whole outfit.
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/aka-ranma

what about using a stretchy sync cable? I really never planned on putting the flash on the camera, actually just wanted to have somethign that I could attach with a sync cord and hold the flash out to the side for some directional light?

Early · 11-10-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

what about using a stretchy sync cable? I really never planned on putting the flash on the camera, actually just wanted to have somethign that I could attach with a sync cord and hold the flash out to the side for some directional light?

If you can find one made for your hot shoe mount. Remember, it's different from the other brands. Even though I use the Maxxum system, I never looked to see if there was an adapter available. I've always made sure a camera had a PC contact before I bought it.

11-05-2008, 11:52 AM	#16
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 3,278 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 28 Times in 25 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by jstuedle If you were to pick up and examine say a $90 Sunpack 383 and a 6-10 year old Nikon SB-28 or SB-80DX for the same price you will be amazed in the vast difference in build quality and features. The Sunpack is very light and flimsy. It lacks a zoom head and standard PC connection. But, the Sunpack I believe a better value than the ebay flash mentioned here. It's just basic eco-101. You get what you pay for. A new SB-800 my be $350, but will out perform and out last cheaper flashes by a very large margin. Used high end flashes are a bargain for the Strobist shooter, and the SB-28 is one of the Strobist mainstays. A lot of value for the dollar even after the wear and tear of it's original owner. You can get Vivitar 283's for about $35 on ebay. They're considered tanks and are very reliable and durable. Plus, they're putting out as much power as most modern speed lights iirc. You get what you pay for also means you get a brand name that you pay for. __________________ I'm a Pirate. That's because Pirates are better than ninjas. So much better that Pirate deserves to be capitalized as a proper noun and ninja does not. Yar!!! Thirty-five D's and two Marks Lots of millimeters and low f scores Bright pulsing objects that emit bursts of light

11-05-2008, 01:36 PM	#20
Alleh Lindquist Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland OR Posts: 244 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift\|studios is that b/c of lack of features, or does a flash have to be over $200 to constitute as "quality" A Nikon SB-28 can be had on ebay for around $100 same as the junk ebay flash. I own 2 and use them all the time. __________________ Commercial & Advertising Photographer Alleh Lindquist \| PhotoBizStartup Blog \| Product Photography

11-05-2008, 11:40 PM	#24
jstuedle AKA Picture Daddy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: S.E. Indiana Posts: 4,823 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (50)	Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot You can get Vivitar 283's for about $35 on ebay. They're considered tanks and are very reliable and durable. Plus, they're putting out as much power as most modern speed lights iirc. You get what you pay for also means you get a brand name that you pay for. I admit the Vivitar is a little tougher than the Sunpack. The 283 does have a rap of breaking off it's shoe foot, also older units can have a danderiously high trigger voltage that can fry a modern cameras inards. I still prefer the build and features of the SB series. A zoom head is a must for most of my work, and there durability is simply amazing. I prefer the SB-28 and 80DX for Strobist work. The SB-80DX has a slightly longer zoom range (out to 135 as opposed to 85) and can have the standby feature toggled off for use with Pocket Wizards. Otherwise the SB-28 and 28DX are just about identical. Still, for $25-35 used, a lot of light can be had by the Vivitar and Sunpack flashes. __________________ As always, JMHO. John View my image gallery at: http://www.pbase.com/jstuedle New web site under construction!!! http://www.picture-daddy.com/ Member NAPP and PPA *"You only get one sunrise and one sunset a day and you only get so many days on the planet. A good photographer does the math and doesn't waste either."* *Galen Rowell*

11-06-2008, 09:09 AM	#25
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 3,278 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 28 Times in 25 Posts My Gallery: (0)	The Vivitars have zoom heads. It's manual zoom and it's marked wide, normal, and long, but they have the capability. __________________ I'm a Pirate. That's because Pirates are better than ninjas. So much better that Pirate deserves to be capitalized as a proper noun and ninja does not. Yar!!! Thirty-five D's and two Marks Lots of millimeters and low f scores Bright pulsing objects that emit bursts of light

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11-05-2008, 11:54 AM	#17
toofpaste Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 1,123 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift\|studios holy cow, i learned more watching that then the two semesters of photography i took...thank you very much! This place is amazing. You will learn a crap load of information. Just isn't in any way as laid back as ls1

11-05-2008, 12:07 PM	#18
third_shift\|studios Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 153 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Alleh Lindquist That one on ebay looks like junk. I would suggest a used SB-28 or 26 over that. www.strobist.com learn to light Quote: Originally Posted by toofpaste This place is amazing. You will learn a crap load of information. Just isn't in any way as laid back as ls1 lmfao....i thought i recalled your name! that's weird...never thought I'd see and ls1 memeber on another site that wasn't car related.

11-05-2008, 12:11 PM	#19
toofpaste Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 1,123 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift\|studios lmfao....i thought i recalled your name! that's weird...never thought I'd see and ls1 memeber on another site that wasn't car related. Still LS related photography haha

11-05-2008, 03:16 PM	#21
third_shift\|studios Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 153 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by toofpaste Still LS related photography haha nice shot, bro!!! Is that a vette?

11-05-2008, 03:24 PM	#22
third_shift\|studios Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 153 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Alleh Lindquist A Nikon SB-28 can be had on ebay for around $100 same as the junk ebay flash. I own 2 and use them all the time. http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB28-SB-28...QQcmdZViewItem thanks for the tip!!! how do i find a way to make work with my hot shoe?

11-05-2008, 07:13 PM	#23
Early I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NJ Posts: 952 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift\|studios http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB28-SB-28...QQcmdZViewItem thanks for the tip!!! how do i find a way to make work with my hot shoe? I doubt if you can, at least not with any dedication. But do stick to a known brand if you're not buying a Sony flash, like Metz and Sunpak. You also have to get a unit that's dedicated to your camera. Try this! Someone is selling his whole outfit. http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/aka-ranma

11-07-2008, 01:28 PM	#26
toofpaste Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 1,123 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift\|studios nice shot, bro!!! Is that a vette? yezzir, 06 c6 pushing 450 rw

11-10-2008, 08:44 AM	#27
third_shift\|studios Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 153 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Early I doubt if you can, at least not with any dedication. But do stick to a known brand if you're not buying a Sony flash, like Metz and Sunpak. You also have to get a unit that's dedicated to your camera. Try this! Someone is selling his whole outfit. http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/aka-ranma what about using a stretchy sync cable? I really never planned on putting the flash on the camera, actually just wanted to have somethign that I could attach with a sync cord and hold the flash out to the side for some directional light?

11-10-2008, 02:31 PM	#28
Early I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NJ Posts: 952 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by third_shift\|studios what about using a stretchy sync cable? I really never planned on putting the flash on the camera, actually just wanted to have somethign that I could attach with a sync cord and hold the flash out to the side for some directional light? If you can find one made for your hot shoe mount. Remember, it's different from the other brands. Even though I use the Maxxum system, I never looked to see if there was an adapter available. I've always made sure a camera had a PC contact before I bought it.

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