Vivitar vs Speedlite

I know many of you fellow photographers have vivitar 285's and a speedlite 430ex's. I'm mainly wanting to get into off-camera flash portraiture and sports (like skateboarding). What do you think is the better option?

The 285 is great because it's cheap. The power dial being on the front sucks, but once you learn the clicks it's easy to adjust it without looking.

The 430ex can go lower in power, down to 1/64th which comes in handy sometimes.

I like having my 430ex because in the times I need it, I can pop it on the camera and go. I like my 285 because it was $80 and a bit more powerful (I think...I know they are close).

I own a Viv 285 and a similar manual flash, a Sunpak 383*– highly recommend both. I have rented Speedlites (580 mostly) and my impression is that you'll be able to get similar results with either set of flashes, the old manual dumb flash and the newer ETTL smart flash. The biggest difference will be that the manual flash will require some setup time and trial-and-error testing. Using a DSLR makes that pretty easy, and a good flash meter helps even more. The Speedlite will get you to the same point with probably less effort. A set of off-cam Speedlites will be a lot more expensive than the same number of 285s or 383 flashes, though. If you don't mind a little more labor, the manual flash is a great way to go. Good luck!

Do you guys know of where you could obtain a vivitar in Australia? I've looked everywhere.

I know of some in auction on ebay (US) but none that you can buy straight away in Australia.

bump?

Not sure.. but have you considered the Yongnuo flashes.. YN-460 II, YN560? You're a few thousand miles closer to China than most of us in the US, and we still order the flashes!

I'm actually thinking about the 460, its incredibly cheap and I can get two for $86 australian. All I need to is some triggers. Here comes another debate haha.

I have viv 283s, sunpak 383s, all the canon guns etc etc.

Only you can answer your needs. You say off camera portraiture and sports.

Do you want off cam ttl, or happy with manual?

TTL off cam requires extra equipment: eg off cam cord, ste2, 580 to act as master. Have a 7d or a 60d? These can act as master.

Manual off cam requires extra equipment: wireless trigger, like the rf602s, optical slave. If money is tight, Id get something like a ttl yongnuo 465 gun to start you off, with an 602 for the manual mode.