- A Vivitar 283 or 285: Is there any reason not to get the 285 instead of the 283, considering that the price difference is negligible?
With compact bodies like M or A series, these 2 aren't my favour. Using big & heavy flash like 283 on such compact camera is too off balance and heavy to hold for too long.
- An AF280T - use auto with my MX and have a TTL flash if I get a compatible camera later. I'm sort of leaning towards this one.
This is fine flash, but with 2 manual output only, I don't find it useful for any fine adjustment.
- Go for the gold and consider the AF360FGZ - this is definitely the flash I can grow into, but will it work my MX? Is it worth the price considering it may be awhile before I can really use it?
Full range of variable manual output is the #1 feature I look for in any flash so it takes the crown. It is not that heavy either so it is perfect, almost. Where is the Swivel feature btw?
-Is there anything else I should consider?
Nobody has mentioned the Weight & size issue. Really, you don't want to mount something big & heavy on MX or ME. Your fingers will complain in no time. I know mine do. For camera with good grip like Z-1p, heavy flash is okay. I have a Metz 40MZ3i which is feature rich, but just too damn off balance and heavy on MX so I use it on Z-1 only.
1) Sync speed - the MX is only 1/60; the ME Super is 1/125 but the shoe on my ME Super is a little cockeyed and I'm not sure it works. Is the 1/60 on the MX going to be limiting?
1/60s could be a concern when doing outdoor daylight fill-flash. But you can use slower film and variable manual output to compensate (usually push the flash output to the minimum side). For family shots indoor, I usually use wide angle or standard lens with ISO400, 1/30-60s, f2.8-4 so the shutter speed is a non-issue. Again, variable manual output is my favour. :-)
2) Should I consider the Sunpak 383 - it's basically the same as the Vivitar 283, but adds a swivel head (which I'm pretty sure even the 285 doesn't have) and only has 3 auto apertures (vs. 4 on the 285)? Does anyone have any experience with this flash? 3) I've got a little extra money kicking around - maybe I should spring for a Super Program and an AF280T? Would this really be the easiest solution?
I guess these 2 can be answered together. If you want auto and cost is not the major concern, go for TTL flash like AF200T, AF280T or AF360FGZ (TTL is great for daylight fill-flash). If you want precise control & result, variable manual output is a must imho (especially for indoor shots without washed out faces). The best option is AF360FGZ imho (but it cannot Swivel like AF280T & AF500FTZ). As for me, I am still waiting for the swivel version of 360FGZ.
regards, Alan Chan
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