Sunpak 383 vs. Vivitar 285 as slaves for a 580ex II

Please PM me when/if you decide to sell. Thanks

lhoney2 wrote in post #6196186
Please PM me when/if you decide to sell. Thanks

will do

Curtis N wrote in post #6195410
It matters if you want to use an automatic flash such as the Sunpak 383 in auto mode off camera. That way you can keep the flash unit's sensor pointed at your subject while aiming the flash head wherever you want.

Can you do that with ebay triggers? (keep the flash in auto mode)

Curtis N wrote in post #6195410
It matters if you want to use an automatic flash such as the Sunpak 383 in auto mode off camera. That way you can keep the flash unit's sensor pointed at your subject while aiming the flash head wherever you want.

With the sensor extension cords that's not an issue.

lhoney2 wrote in post #6195357
The only use I have found for swiveling is that I can put the power controls either in front of or behind the flash head, depending on how high and at what angle the flash head is at. This can give easier access to controls and a clear view of the 'ready' light.

again... with the sensor extension cords that's not an issue

ALaS wrote in post #6197476
Can you do that with ebay triggers? (keep the flash in auto mode)

Yes... because the auto mode is not a TTL system. It's a thyristor system and the sensor is on the flash and measures the light at THAT point. You just dial in the color that corresponds to the setting you want... and the flash does the rest. It just works!

Franko515 wrote in post #6195709
I like mine too, but I may be selling them

I use them as background lights, but they just dont keep up with my 580EX IIs. When I look back through the images from a shoot I have several where the 383s didnt fire

It may be time to invest in some studio strobes

Are you sure it's the strobes and not your means of triggering? If they aren't firing because they didn't recycle fast enough that's one thing... but if they're not firing despite being fully cycled.. that's triggering and studio lights won't be any better.

Can my 580 EX II do that!?

ALaS wrote in post #6197715
Can my 580 EX II do that!?

the EX II has the auto flash sensor so it should... but I don't know for sure. I don't own one so I've never bothered to check.

forkball wrote in post #6197587
With the sensor extension cords that's not an issue.


again... with the sensor extension cords that's not an issue

Yes... because the auto mode is not a TTL system. It's a thyristor system and the sensor is on the flash and measures the light at THAT point. You just dial in the color that corresponds to the setting you want... and the flash does the rest. It just works!



Are you sure it's the strobes and not your means of triggering? If they aren't firing because they didn't recycle fast enough that's one thing... but if they're not firing despite being fully cycled.. that's triggering and studio lights won't be any better.

Quite sure. I am by no means a pro but I have come to learn a thing or two here on the forums and the triggering method here is not in question. It's the recycling time on the 383s.

For grown-ups they are fine, but when I shoot kids and need them to fire when I want they just dont cut it. Not sure if you shoot or have ever shot kids but timing is everything.

Franko515 wrote in post #6198015
Quite sure. I am by no means a pro but I have come to learn a thing or two here on the forums and the triggering method here is not in question. It's the recycling time on the 383s.

For grown-ups they are fine, but when I shoot kids and need them to fire when I want they just dont cut it. Not sure if you shoot or have ever shot kids but timing is everything.

haha... ok. I didn't mean to insinuate anything. I just have never spoken with you so I do not know your level of expertise.

Psychobiker wrote in post #5627277
I personally use a Cactus - > PC to hotshoe -> shoe of 383.

I love my sunpak. I have a Vivtar 283 too, so finger in pie of both camps

L

I just ordered two Sunpaks, two light stands, and two umbrellas to go with what I already have.

What else to I need to get? I figured they would just fire wirelessly with the Cactus Triggers without the need of any wires. I think I missed something here.

forkball wrote in post #6198144
haha... ok. I didn't mean to insinuate anything. I just have never spoken with you so I do not know your level of expertise.

No offense taken and I figured thats why you asked that question, so I was just tryin to give you a oh so brief insight into myself. My level of expertise is a 0 on a 10 scale I am by no means any type of expert but coming FROM MY S3 IS SHOTS to MY SHOTS NOW I think this place and practice has done me well

Oh yeah, it was nice to have finally met you

I think I half fried a 383 at my last wedding. I have it hooked up to a sealed lead acid battery, apparently it started making funny noises and a funny smell - I was too far away to hear/see it, a guest unplugged it. I'll have to have a play with it when I get around to it, and may end up replacing them with 580s and CP-E4s. I blame my modifications, not the flash!

Franko515 wrote in post #6198272
No offense taken and I figured thats why you asked that question, so I was just tryin to give you a oh so brief insight into myself. My level of expertise is a 0 on a 10 scale I am by no means any type of expert but coming FROM MY S3 IS SHOTS to MY SHOTS NOW I think this place and practice has done me well

Oh yeah, it was nice to have finally met you

Haha... yeah, 0 my foot. You have come a LONG LONG way. I actually believe I've commented on a photo or two of yours before. The graffiti wall one looks very familiar and I like it so I would have said so. Hey... when I first started here, I was a lot worse off than you BTW.

I cant seem to find either of this flash units anywhere on the net, ebay, amazon, B&H, etc.

Sunpak. Vivitar. Sunpak is out of stock, it's popular.

tim wrote in post #6211224
Sunpak. Vivitar. Sunpak is out of stock, it's popular.

$99.00

Wasn't this flash like $79.00 3 months ago?