SB-26 or Vivitar 285HV

[DarrenSA]

At the moment I can get a SB-26 for a good price (about the same as a vivitar 285hv, maybe even a little cheaper) but I am wondering if this will be a good decision as I already have one 430ex and one vivitar 285hv. Getting another different flash might kill consistency as I was planning on getting more vivitar 285hv's, but the SB-26 seems to get reviews. What would you do?

[PhatheadWRX]

SB-26 is better than the 285HV. Optical slave & better power control. IF you can get either for the same price, go with the SB-26.

[DarrenSA]

Even if it means breaking the consisitency of having the same make? Does someone here use a variety of flashes with no problems? That's what i'm worried about.

[shutterfiend]

Where in the world (or on ebay) are you getting an SB-26 at the price of a 285HV?

Here's some good information: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=591436

[DarrenSA]

well, it's local, so i'm adding shipping/tax on a 80-100$ vivitar. With the current exchange rate of the South African rand, it works out as more or about the same.

[Strayz]

get the SB - 26 forget about the vivtar.. the Nikon flash is 10X the flash the vivtar is.. I have been slowly swapping out my sunpack 383's for sb-26's..

[shaggymatt]

I too was just shopping strobist flashes. Just bought a couple (used - of course) SB 24's for $65. The cheapest I could find the 285HV's were $85 at 17photo.com. Shipping for two was like $10.

I liked that the SB 24 units take the same cable as my primary flash (580exII) if I ever wanted that off camera. The SB 24's are also smaller, which is a big plus in ever increasing payload.