On Sep 24, 2007, at 7:33 AM, Boris Liberman wrote: >> On 9/24/07, Godfrey DiGiorgi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> If you're going to be using a non-dedicated flash anyway, why not >>> buy >>> a NEW Sunpak 383 or Vivitar 285HV auto-flash for under a hundred >>> dollars as opposed to a used Pentax flash? > > On 9/24/07, Boris Liberman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Only because I don't know even zilch about flashes. Can you >> enlighten me? >> > Godfrey, another thing that makes 280T very attractive is that it has > this low level mode GN 8 or so that has very rapid recharge times. I > will most definitely use it for my daughter ;-). >
Boris, Not sure how I can enlighten you with respect to flash units in an general sense, but the Sunpak 383 and Vivitar 285HV are well known, reliable, powerful, non-dedicated flash units that have been on the market for many years. They represent an excellent value for money. They also have low-voltage trigger circuits and are proven safe for use with any of the Pentax DSLRs. I suggest a book on flash photography to become better versed in the subject matter. A low GN does not necessarily make for a fast recycle time. Recycle time is dependent upon the amount of discharge for a given shot and the flash unit's efficiency. Both these units have efficient thyristor circuitry which dumps the excess flash energy back into the main capacity when the auto-exposure sensor detects adequate exposre, reducing recycle times. If you're working with a low power setting (manually or by choosing a large lens opening setting for the auto mode) you enhance the flash unit's ability to recycle quickly because you are consuming less capacitor charge per flash. The downside is that it's putting out less light so working distance for proper exposure is reduced. With the Sunpak 383 set to a wide aperture auto- flash setting, and in an average living room lighting environment, it will recycle about as fast as I push the shutter release assuming the batteries are fresh. To use these units, you set the camera to Manual exposure mode, set any exposure time longer than 1/180 second, and then set the aperture to match the flash exposure distance range desired (auto mode) or set the aperture to match the power output and distance chosen (manual mode). For instance, I typically use exposure times in the range of 1/60-1/125 second, and most of my work with the Sunpak 383 (tabletop stuff) ends up around f/5.6-f/9 (ISO 200). What these flash units don't do is couple to the camera's automation system. You will not get High Speed Sync, in-camera flash compensation exposure adjustment, P-TTL, or other features of the K10D with a dedicated Pentax flash. I've never needed or used these features so they're no loss to me. The specifics for the two flash units are listed below, copied from the B&H Photo website. Godfrey --- Sunpak 383 Super Auto Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 120'/37 m at 35mm) $ 79.95 Features: The Sunpak 383 Super has been very popular for years, and endures today as a sensible choice for photographers desiring strength, reliability and value in a travellable size. The manual, undedicated 383 Super is simple to use, with three aperture-priority exposure settings and a great manual power scale. Its combined guide number of 120'(37 m) and ~63° illumination angle remains hard to beat. Add the optional battery pack and an optical slave, and you'll have a great second light for speedy, powerful background room illumination to go with your TTL system upon your camera(choose a "digital" optical slave is triggering the 383 Super off-camera from a preflash- emitting TTL system from Canon, Metz Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, etc). Specifications: Type Shoe Mount Guide No. 120 Angle of Coverage 35mm Auto Distance Range 8-60' / 4-30' / 2-15' Auto f/Stops F/2.0, 4.0, 8.0 Manual Power Setting 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 TTL Dedication No Bounce Head Yes Swivel Head Yes Zoom Head No Off Camera Terminal Sunpak Type Recycle Time 8.5 Seconds (based on fresh batteries & full power) Power Source 4 1.5-Volt "AA" Alkaline Batteries Dimensions 4.4 X 3 X 2.8" (WxHxD) Weight 0.69 lb ---------- Vivitar 285HV Professional Auto Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No.120'/37 m at 35mm) $ 89.95 Features: - Guide number 120 (ISO 100/feet). - Automatic exposure range to 70 feet. - Accepts optional high voltage power sources for faster recycle time and more flashes. - Four auto f/stop settings for controlling depth-of-field and maximum auto flash range. - Zoom flash head has three positions for covering 35mm, 50mm and 105mm camera lenses. - Bounce flash capability for softer lighting. - Removable sensor can be camera mounted with the optional sensor cord permitting automatic exposure when using side bounce flash photography. - Built-in vari-power for convenient fill flash and rapid sequence photography. - Auto Thyristor circuitry for faster recycle time and greater number of flashes. Specifications: Type Shoe Mount Guide No. 120 Angle of Coverage 28-105mm (with W/A Adapter), 70-27 Degrees Auto Distance Range 2-11'/ 2-15' / 5-30' / 6-60' Auto f/Stops f/2, 4, 8, 11 Variable Power 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 TTL Dedication No Bounce Head Yes Swivel Head No Zoom Head Yes (28-105) Off Camera Terminal PC (Vivitar Type PC1 or PC31) Recycle Time 10.4 sec. (based on fresh AA batteries and full power) 4.8 sec. when used with the SB-4 AC Adapter Power Source (4) "AA" Batteries SB-4 AC adapter Dimensions 4 x 5.2 x 4.2" Weight 14.9 oz Specialties Removeable Sensor -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
