Nikon SB600 vs Vivitar 285HV?

[Fleetwood271]

Other than TTL and the SB600 acting as a slave, what are the advantages of the SB600 over the Vivitar 285?

 

[redtippmann]

Smaller, digital, metal hotshoe, can point behind and to the side while on camera, AF assist, more zoom options, built in wide angle lens, can't loose the battery holder, and locks into a cold/hot shoe better. I have a 285HV but I decided to go with the 600 because I can use them with my CLS system.

 

[Fleetwood271]

Anyone else?

 

[Dao]

Power wise, it can only do Full power, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16. That's it. (not sure why no 1/8 or 1/32)

 

[redtippmann]

And in CLS mode the 600 can go down to something like 1/120. Dao, your talking about the 285 right?

 

[Derrel]

redtippman and Dao covered the most significant difference. One feature NOT mentioned is that the Vivitar 285HV has a built-in PC connection. The Vivitar also has a mechanical, analog-style circular calculator dial that shows multiple info points at the SAME time, which is something an LCD system simply cannot do.

The Vivitar is, in some ways, a superior tool for the experienced worker who understands the value of a flash that is NOT directly connected in lock-step to a camera's light metering system.

The biggest PITA with the Vivitar though is its inability to swivel...all it does is TILT, so it needs to be connected with a TTL remote cord or put on a bracket if one wishes to shoot talls with bounce flash, or to get the flash bounced off of say, the wall to the left or behind and above the camera position. For off-camera use, I prefer the Vivitar 285HV to many other flashes. I have three of them, and really have used them a lot over the decades. I bought the SB 600 for my wife with the D40 back when that was new...the 600 is a nice, sleek, small flash, less-bulky and clunky-styled than the Vivitar. It works pretty well as a TTL flash.

 

[KmH]

The 285HV's put out more light (GN 120) than the SB-600 (GN 98).

Yep, the SB-600 has more bells and whistles, and you pay for them.

I can get 2.5 - 285HV's for the price of just one SB-600.

Or I can get 5 -285HV's for the price of just 2 SB-600's.

Put another way, I can get 4 - 285HV's, and a 2 light stands/2 umbrellas/2 umbrella mount Impact kit, for the cost of just 2 SB-600's.

 

[Fleetwood271]

Thanks Guys. I have the Vivitar 285, which I really like. I have some gift cards from Christmas and was torn between a new tripod and a new flash. I was considering the SB600.

I already have an extra light stand, extra umbrella, and cold shoe mount for using the 285. I also have a Flashpoint kit, which has monolights with sensors, so I can trigger them from the 285 or the pop-up flash. And I have radio triggers, if I need them.

So, based on what was said, I do not see that I would really gain that much with the SB-600.

I think I'll pick up a new Manfrotto Tripod with a ball head.
Or maybe a new lens....2.8, or 1.8, or 1.4, or....
or a new (bigger) bag....
or...maybe.....hmmmmm


Thanks!