Where can I get lots of EF light in a small package (no hammerhead, no external pack), something I can put regular batteries in and just hold it in my hand with a coiled cable (camera in other hand, or balanced on nose when competing with seals at Marineland...)? Yep, it's for bounced location shots with the Rollei...thanks all. shawn

is the Vivitar GN28 meters?

-- shawn (shawngibson_prophoto@yahoo.com), June 08, 2000

Answers

The Vivitar 283 is probably the most bang for the buck from any decent flash manufacturer. The guide number is a little overstated, but it does okay with print film. GN of 120 ft/ ISO 100, which works out to about 36 meters. 28-30 meters would probably be a safer bet. Metz also makes some compact shoemount units, but most of them are considerably more expensive.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), June 08, 2000.

I didn't mention the Vivitar 285HV because I have one. The 283 is rated 120 as mentioned, and this covers the angle of a 35mm lens on 35mm. Even though the 285 is basically the same flash with a zoom head, the extra element seems to use up some of the power. it is only rated 100 for a 35mm lens, 120 for 50mm, and 140 for I think a 105mm. Using the wide angle diffuser for 28mm drops the GN all the way to 70. That is why I would advise sticking with the 283. The 285 does have variable manual power control down to 1/16, for about the same price as a 283 and varipower module combined though.

I don't know much about the Sunpack units, but the 383 seems very similar to the Vivtar 283, and if the build quality is the same it may be a better buy.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), June 09, 2000.

Vivitar 283 has a listed GN of 120' or about 38 meters (@ 100 ISO). It's notoriously over rated though, not that many others aren't as well. The 285 adds a zoom head that will help a bit more with direct shots coupled with a longer lens, but I don't think that helps much when bouncing and it adds a lot of bulk to the flash. Niether of these will swivel, though that might not matter if you are hand holding it. The Vivitar can also be used with a remote sensor (usually mounted on the camera's hot shoe) so you can point the flash anywhere you want.

I think Sunpak has a model 383 with about the same specs & price but adds a swivel head.

For about the same size but with a lot more power (and a bunch more money) you could get a Nikon SB-28 or a Canon 540EZ and just use them on manual. In fact the SB-28 can be used on auto mode with its built in sensor, I think.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), June 08, 2000.

The Metz Meccablitz MZ 40 has a GN of up to 50 when it's "zoomed" out. Normal GN is 40 (metres). It's a compact camera-top style unit, and from past experience with Meccablitz, they don't exaggerate their Guide Numbers.

Incidentally Shawn, why do you want to learn to juggle? I'd have thought a self-contained tilt and swivel type Hammerhead unit on a bracket would've been ideal.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), June 09, 2000.

yeah, I'm starting to realize there would be some juggling involved. I don't have the camera fully paid yet, but I downloaded a manual, and I think I'll just stick with my 60CT for now (even so, it looks as if I need some special Rollei mount because of some backwards design in this aspect?). Maybe a 45 hammerhead would work? They are self-contained, right?--no pack, everything in the head...?

-- shawn (shawngibson_prophoto@yahoo.com), June 09, 2000.

Yes, it's completely self-contained. I've got the 45CT1 and it's a great gun. Bags of power and lightweight with a fast recycle time, but carry a spare set of batteries (or two), you don't get many full power "explosions" from a set of cells.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), June 12, 2000.