Second Flash...285 or 555?

[dirt lover]

Right now, I have a Vivitar 285HV I use with a set of pocket wizards. I would get an optical slave to use with the second flash. If I got a Sunpak 555, I would switch the two slaves (pw and optical) between the 2 flashes, depending on what I want to do.

I shoot sports like mountain biking, snowboarding, skateboarding and motocross. The 555 is more powerful, but would there be any reason to get the 285? The power would help in day light, but having two 285s may be a good set, and then I could get a 555 after that.

[Curtis N]

I think with the kind of shooting you do, recycle time might be more important than raw power. And of course, recycle time drops dramatically as you reduce the power setting of whatever unit you use.

So if you're considering two units that have similar recycle times but one is significantly more powerful, then the more powerful unit will have a better recycle time when it's powered down to match the weaker unit.

Just something to keep in mind.

Also, I wouldn't rely too heavily on optical slaves for outdoor use. They can work within certain parameters but a (good) radio receiver on each unit would give you less fits.

[dirt lover]

Good idea about recycle times. I'd get another pocket wizard eventually if I'm having issues with the optical slave.

[FlashZebra]

You will not get a garden variety optical slave to function reliably in daylight.

I really like optical slaves, but they have to be used within their design limitations.

If I personally had a choice between a Vivitar 285HV or a Sunpak 555, the Sunpak would be my choice. I own both a Sunpak 555 and a Vivitar 283. The Sunpak is a far more capable flash.

With regard to a new Vivitar 285 HV the Sunpak 555 has:

More power, a nice HH sync connector, more "traditional automatic" settings, and more manual power settings.

But, it is significantly more bulky.

Enjoy! Lon

[dirt lover]

It's so much cheaper than another PW though. I'll try it for a while, then get a pocket wizard if I'm having issues.

HH sync = household, right?

[Titus213]

Have you compared the physical attributes of the two flashes? I really like my 555 but it is a bit on the large size and is not all that easy to mount. Great flash that will probably be passed on to my kids at some point since it gives every impression of running forever, but it's big.

[dirt lover]

It is big, but it fits in the right side of the camera compartment in my Dakine Sequence.

I got a 555 in excellent condition with filters and the bracket on ebay. Will using it with the eos sunpak cord that it comes, with fry my camera? If so, I could just sell it.

[nadtz]

The 555's seem to vary in terms of sync voltage, but you can always get a safe sync type device if you were using the flash on camera.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

[dirt lover]

Okay, thanks! That's a good link. I'll probably just sell it and get a Household to PC cord for on camera use, if I ever use it that way.

Is there any difference between using the sycn port (on the underside) with that cord/module and the houshold port?