sunpak 433af

[mllinden]

I just bought one of these cheap on ebay. Does anyone know if I can use it off-camera, as a backlight, with the Gadget Infinity wireless thingys? It is the Minolta version.

Michelle

[FlashZebra]

Michelle,

Can you set the power level on that particular 433AF, on some versions of the 433AF you can (Nikon), and on some versions you cannot (Canon), but I am unsure about the Minolta version.

If you can set the power level (just look at the back there is a slider with fractional power settings), then it will make a nice off camera manual flash.

If you cannot set the power levels, you can still use it off camera, but you will only have a full power setting, which will be less useful.

You will need some way to get sync, there is no sync connector.

The easiest way to get sync is with a hotshoe adapter.

Whatever you decide to do, can you post back to this thread with your final outcome so the thread can be used by others?

Enjoy! Lon

[mllinden]

Thanks Lon-

I received the unit today. It does not have the ability to adjust the power level-rats!

I was buying it mainly to use to light my background. Will full power be too much? Can I diffuse it somehow?

Does anyone know if the Gadget Infinity triggers/receivers work with the 433af?

If so, I'll buy a set and try them out and report back.

Michelle

[FlashZebra]

Michelle,

If you are mostly going to use this unit inside, just get an inexpensive hotshoe adapter and an inexpensive optical slave.

You can put neutral density filters on the flash to cut output.

So, you can certainly use the flash, but not having a way to easily control power is certainly going to make it a bit harder to use.

Personally I would not make things even more muddled by overlaying inexpensive radio slaves on this marginal flash.

Using a full power only manual flash as your main light can be done (it may not be optimal but it is still workable), but using a flash that only has full power as a fill or an accessory light is a lot harder as you typically have to adjust the power level with regard to the main light.

Enjoy! Lon