RE: flash needed
- 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 _ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
RE: flash needed
Hi Matt, Following flashes offer these features and more: - Philips P36TLS, I have two, I love the compactness, fits in the space of a small telelens. In USA this flash is probably marketed inder the Nissin brand name. -Philips P536CLS-X, I have one, additional it offers 5 auto apertures and TTL, works fine with my Z-1 -OSRAM BCS44 Studio, I have one, additional it has higher GN and built-in slave, nice feature too! -Metz 45CT4 and Metz 45CL4 and other Metze flashes, but they will be more expensive -Several Braun and Sunpack flashguns offer the same, but I donot know the type numbers. greetings, Jos > -Oorspronkelijk bericht- > Van: Matt Bevers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Verzonden: Monday, July 21, 2003 3:30 PM > Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Onderwerp: Re: flash needed > > > > On Monday, July 21, 2003, at 06:24 AM, Jos from Holland wrote: > > Buy Swivel head that goes around (almost 360 degrees)and up down of > > course. > > This will make it possible to quickly use indirect flash in many > > situations. > > Buy flash with second (fill) flash pointing forward. This will keep > > "live"(point lights) in the eyes of people when using indirect flash > > with > > the main head. > > Preferably at least 3 aperture settings (automatic of cours) > > Preferably at least guidenumber 33 at 100ISO and 50mm coverage. > > Preferably zoom head from 28mm to 80mm, bur separate adapters will do > > too. > > Preferably chargeable penlights should be allowed (is mostly the case.) > > Preferably autoshut-off or you should never forget to switch-off > > > > This all sounds great - now what flash has all these features? > > -Matt > >
Re: flash needed
>I have the chance to buy something with approval here. Please >don't ruin it for me. > >Plus, if I had tried to take a tripod inside I'm pretty sure it would >have been confiscated at the gate. > >Furthermore, I really need a flash for all those shots where I look at >the slide afterwards and wish I'd had just a little fill to get rid of >some of the shadows. Understood old boy. AF280T is the flash for you. It's superb. The tilt and swivel function is *better* than my (alternate brand) 420 EX ! Go for it. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
Re: flash needed
> Ugh. I just can't make up my mind. A couple more considerations: > > 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? > > 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? > > Thanks for all the help so far, I'll get this figured out yet. > > -Matt Knowing what i know now(See Lons pdml help posts) i would recomend #3. As far as 1/60 sync speed,thats all i've had with the SP500 and K1000's i owned. On Tom V's suggestion,i shot my buddies wedding(Super Program with 280T) at 1/60 and 1/30 and some at 1/15 in TTL, and they all worked out great depending on how much dark background i was hoping for. I shot the B&W with a 285HV and just usingh the feet reading of the lens,set the flash.All but one turned out fine. The 280t swivels but not the 285hv,but the 285 has a number of settings you can choice from. Yes i agree,its confusing.I prbably just helped the confusion,right.:-) Dave
Re: flash needed
Ugh. I just can't make up my mind. A couple more considerations: 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? 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? Thanks for all the help so far, I'll get this figured out yet. -Matt On Monday, July 21, 2003, at 10:00 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I still put my vote in for the 283. Only difference b/w the 283 and the 285 is the swivel (with the 285) and the manual zoom head. The 283 does a 90 to 180 degree tilt. Don't forget to consider cross system compatibility. That's the main reason I went with the Vivitar rather than a Pentax dedicated flash. I've used my 283 with an LX, K1000, ME-F, Canon G2, Contax G2, Hasselblad 500 C/M, Canon Elan II, and Leica M6. It's still with me now and provides me with fill/background light when it's mounted on a light stand and bounced into an umbrella. Cheers, Dave Original Message: - From: Matt Bevers [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 09:30:04 -0400 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: flash needed On Monday, July 21, 2003, at 06:24 AM, Jos from Holland wrote: Buy Swivel head that goes around (almost 360 degrees)and up down of course. This will make it possible to quickly use indirect flash in many situations. Buy flash with second (fill) flash pointing forward. This will keep "live"(point lights) in the eyes of people when using indirect flash with the main head. Preferably at least 3 aperture settings (automatic of cours) Preferably at least guidenumber 33 at 100ISO and 50mm coverage. Preferably zoom head from 28mm to 80mm, bur separate adapters will do too. Preferably chargeable penlights should be allowed (is mostly the case.) Preferably autoshut-off or you should never forget to switch-off This all sounds great - now what flash has all these features? -Matt mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .
Re: flash needed
ahhh.. I'm using them mainly for background and fill flash. There's a couple neat little items: 1) Wein Pnut Slave - these fit into the female pc connector on the Vivitar 283. Once a flash goes off around the Pnut slave, it triggers the 283. 2) Hakuma Hot Shoe Adapter - this thing is a standard screw in hotshoe that can be mounted on a light stand. Attach the 283 to the light stand and then aim the 283 into the umbrella. 3) No Name Brand 25ft sync cord - I attach this to the other 283. The results? http://www.usefilm.com/image/139808.html That was taken with just the 2 283's bounced into umbrellas. http://www.usefilm.com/image/144801.html That was using the 2 283's as fill/background flash while using a Dynalite 400 UniJr as the main light. Cheers, Dave Original Message: - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 10:23:18 US/Eastern To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: flash needed I have the 283,285hv and the af280t.The later works very well with the Super Program,thanks to Tom V's personal wedding instructions.Although i did forget to drop it. David C-S. How are you setting up your 283/285 with the umbrella,cable adaptors etc. Curious to learn studio/portrait lighting still. Dave Brooks mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .
Re: flash needed
> > So, I need to buy a flash. > > I've got an MX and an ME Super for right now, but I could see myself > getting a Super Program for flash use, or even an AF Pentax by the end > of the year. My question is, what do I get? > > - 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? > > - 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. > -Matt Matt. Just on my own limited flash use,i would recomend either the 285 or the af280t.The 280 works very well with the SuperProgram,which is a great camera.If i decide to do more MF work than 35mm work,the SP will be one of the few 35mm i keep. I use the 285 with the D1 and works well.I take indoor horse photos with it in a very dark arena,and i get usable shots at 25 feet from moving subjects. I think the 280 used is about the same as the 285 new.IIRK. Dave
Re: flash needed
> > I've used my 283 with an LX, K1000, ME-F, Canon G2, Contax G2, Hasselblad > 500 C/M, Canon Elan II, and Leica M6. > > It's still with me now and provides me with fill/background light when it's > mounted on a light stand and bounced into an umbrella. > > Cheers, > Dave I have the 283,285hv and the af280t.The later works very well with the Super Program,thanks to Tom V's personal wedding instructions.Although i did forget to drop it. David C-S. How are you setting up your 283/285 with the umbrella,cable adaptors etc. Curious to learn studio/portrait lighting still. Dave Brooks
Re: flash needed
I still put my vote in for the 283. Only difference b/w the 283 and the 285 is the swivel (with the 285) and the manual zoom head. The 283 does a 90 to 180 degree tilt. Don't forget to consider cross system compatibility. That's the main reason I went with the Vivitar rather than a Pentax dedicated flash. I've used my 283 with an LX, K1000, ME-F, Canon G2, Contax G2, Hasselblad 500 C/M, Canon Elan II, and Leica M6. It's still with me now and provides me with fill/background light when it's mounted on a light stand and bounced into an umbrella. Cheers, Dave Original Message: - From: Matt Bevers [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 09:30:04 -0400 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: flash needed On Monday, July 21, 2003, at 06:24 AM, Jos from Holland wrote: > Buy Swivel head that goes around (almost 360 degrees)and up down of > course. > This will make it possible to quickly use indirect flash in many > situations. > Buy flash with second (fill) flash pointing forward. This will keep > "live"(point lights) in the eyes of people when using indirect flash > with > the main head. > Preferably at least 3 aperture settings (automatic of cours) > Preferably at least guidenumber 33 at 100ISO and 50mm coverage. > Preferably zoom head from 28mm to 80mm, bur separate adapters will do > too. > Preferably chargeable penlights should be allowed (is mostly the case.) > Preferably autoshut-off or you should never forget to switch-off > This all sounds great - now what flash has all these features? -Matt mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .
Re: flash needed
Hi, Matt wrote: > we could shoot in the press room. Unfortunately, it was absurdly dark in there, > and I probably didn't get many usable shots. and > - Is there anything else I should consider? AF400T. So much power they will think it's Doomsday, compatible with all SLR Pentax cameras in one mode or another, swivels like a ball turret on a B24, TTL on all Pentax cameras that support it (up to now) and heavy enough to use for self defence. Not to mention a considerable (for a flash) array of accessories. What a bargain these are nowadays.. mike
Re: flash needed
On Monday, July 21, 2003, at 06:24 AM, Jos from Holland wrote: Buy Swivel head that goes around (almost 360 degrees)and up down of course. This will make it possible to quickly use indirect flash in many situations. Buy flash with second (fill) flash pointing forward. This will keep "live"(point lights) in the eyes of people when using indirect flash with the main head. Preferably at least 3 aperture settings (automatic of cours) Preferably at least guidenumber 33 at 100ISO and 50mm coverage. Preferably zoom head from 28mm to 80mm, bur separate adapters will do too. Preferably chargeable penlights should be allowed (is mostly the case.) Preferably autoshut-off or you should never forget to switch-off This all sounds great - now what flash has all these features? -Matt
Re: flash needed
Considering the 285 has ratio control built in, plus the varifocal lens both of which cost extra for the 283, go for the 285. But, be warned they are both big and heavy. The also have a true GN of 80 (100ASA) which is a bit more powerful then the other flashs you mention. 280 is a nice unit. But requires the expensive Pentax cords for everything. It is/was built by Sunpak who made basically the same flash in the 422/433 (you need the 433 if you want TTL, I think). Sunpak cords and accessories are much cheaper than the Pentax ones (alas they have different plugs on the flash end). The 360 is newer than I have much knowledge of, but I think most of the features require a very new camera (MZ-S?) to use. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: "Matt Bevers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 11:02 PM Subject: flash needed > So, this weekend I was down in Washington, DC, taking a bunch of > photos. My brother works for the Secret Service, so he got us a tour > of the the White House. We weren't allowed to take photos inside the > West Wing (we saw the oval office and cabinet room), but we could shoot > in the press room. Unfortunately, it was absurdly dark in there, and I > probably didn't get many usable shots. > > This brings us to the point of the message. In the midst of taking > photos in the near dark, my wife says to me, "I think you need to buy a > flash." > > So, I need to buy a flash. > > I've got an MX and an ME Super for right now, but I could see myself > getting a Super Program for flash use, or even an AF Pentax by the end > of the year. My question is, what do I get? > > - 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? > > - 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. > > - 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? > > - Is there anything else I should consider? > > Sorry for the long post, but I'm pretty much lost when it comes to > flashes and I can use any help I can get. > > -Matt >
Re: flash needed
Matt, You're right on target with the AF280T. It bridges the gap between the ME/MX to TTL flash on the Super Program and even the PZ1-p. The AF200T would work too, but is not as powerful as the AF280T. After the AF280T, the autofocus flashes lose compatibility with the ME/MX. Regards, Bob S. [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > So, I need to buy a flash. > > I've got an MX and an ME Super for right now, but I could see myself > getting a Super Program for flash use, or even an AF Pentax by the end > of the year. My question is, what do I get?
RE: flash needed
Vivitar 283. It's reliable It's a workhorse and you don't need any TTL functionality to get great looking photos with it. It'll probably dwarf the MX and the ME Super but it's powerful enough to do the job. I use mine with a lumiquest pocket bouncer and it has yet to fail me. Cheers Dave > -Original Message- > From: Matt Bevers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 11:03 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: flash needed > > > > So, I need to buy a flash. > > I've got an MX and an ME Super for right now, but I could see myself > getting a Super Program for flash use, or even an AF Pentax by the end > of the year. My question is, what do I get? > > - 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? > > - 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. > > - 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? > > - Is there anything else I should consider? > > > >
