After the fast lens, I am looking for alternatives to Pentax PTTL flash. I am on a low budget and 540 can't fit well into my short term plan. As I have shared with others, I have great liking in using my DA 50-200 on portraits with my kids and many situations especially outdoor- dpreview discussion: Flash vs Fast Lens for indoor portraits
- dpreview discussion: 5 P-TTL flashes - which one?
- dpreview discussion: Will Sunpack 383 wreck my K10D?
- Vivitar 285HV
- Sunpak 383
- Twin Thyristor Flash (*)
- Sigma EF 500 DG Super
- Promaster 5750
- Quantaray QTB-9550
- Nikon SB-26
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I am down to three non-pttl flashes that I constantly look for information.
- Vivitar 285HV around $89, new in BHPhoto, strong, inexpensive, bounce but no swivel,
- Metz 36C-2 around $120, no swivel, smaller and more compact, better recycle time than Vivitar 285HV
- Sunpack 383 around $80, with bounce and swivel, less powerful than Vivitar
6 comments:
I followed your link from DPR as I'm also looking at flash units for my DL. Have you considered a Sigma? The EF 500 DG Super has pretty well all the features of the 540FGZ at half the price, and the DG ST looks like a useful basic flash.
My one problem is that from all the user reviews I've read, Sigma gear isn't all that reliable or especially well built compared to Pentax. Their QC is supposed to be part of the problem.
Anyway, I'll be interested to see how you do whatever route you take. Maybe traditional thyristor flashes are the answer...
Cheers,
Matthew
Matthew, thanks for the input on Sigma EF 500 DG Super and I have included in the list for consideration.
I am in the same situation as you! Low budget... want a flash.
You seem to be good at researching this stuff, so I think I'll just wait and see what you decide ;) ;)
(I am lapeen over on the pentax forum)
I am down to three flashes that I constantly look for information.
1. Vivitar 285HV around $89, new in BHPhoto, strong, inexpensive, bounce but no swivel,
2. Metz 36C-2 around $120, no swivel, smaller and more compact, better recycle time than Vivitar 285HV
3. Sunpack 383 around $80, with bounce and swivel, less powerful than Vivitar
Hi Hin,
I have a couple of 285HVs and am very happy with them. One thing to keep in mind is the guide number of each flash. The 285HV has a guide number of 120', the Metz 36C-2, 98'. I believe that cycle times are based on full discharge and you don't need full power on the 285 very often.
I live in San Jose and would be willing to let you borrow one of my 285HVs for a week or so. Let me know if you are interested.
Russell
Hi Hin,
Do you if the Metz 36c-2 can be "plug-and-play" onto the K10D?
no need for any hotshoe adapter or any of that sort..?
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