Sunpak 383's?

Anyone using these for some off-camera flash work? Looking to do more automotive photography and I had seen a few people shoot with these but it seems they are becoming more rare these days. On the same note, anyone know where to find a pair? I've been emailing B&H since the start of the month and they still don't know when they're going to be getting them in.

Aside from a 580EX and 480EX combo, any other suggestions?

I use them, they work pretty well. They've gotten popular so are getting hard to find. The Vivitar 285 HV is the other cheap flash that people use a lot.

What Tim said. I love my Sunpak 383's, but the supply seems to have dried up...

I picked one up on ebay for $66 + shipping about a week ago. So far so good, but I'm a newbie so I can't tell you what kind of quality I'm getting vs. other flashes. However, $66 for a beginner/experimental flash sounded a lot better than $400.

If you can't find one on ebay, I always use "thefind.com" to locate other stores that sell what I'm looking for.

Everyone that uses flash for their light needs (instead of strobes) has a 383.

Same power output as the 580EX II without the price (granted slightly slower recycling time but for it's negligible).

Alexajlex wrote in post #5997229
Same power output as the 580EX II without the price (granted slightly slower recycling time but for it's negligible).

Way slower recharge, i've found, but with with SLA battery I use it's much quicker - though no longer very portable.

I have 3 sunpak 383s, and the only things I could really want with them is faster recycle and more cross-compatible sync plug, rather than their very specialized 3/32" jack. They have good power and all the features I really need for an off-camera flash.

Form, check out this thread, I added a sync port and an external power supply to my 383s, they work great now.

tim wrote in post #5997450
Form, check out this thread, I added a sync port and an external power supply to my 383s, they work great now.

That is cool --- I will have to do that, my 383 is collecting dust while the Nikon flashes have been getting used more - but this could be a fun project!

Alexajlex wrote in post #5997229
Everyone that uses flash for their light needs (instead of strobes) has a 383.

Same power output as the 580EX II without the price (granted slightly slower recycling time but for it's negligible).

i disagree... same output as 580exII?? no way. i own both and 580 is way more powerful

datadump wrote in post #5998398
i disagree... same output as 580exII?? no way. i own both and 580 is way more powerful

It's the same... the 580 has zoom, that's all.

Rudi wrote in post #5998399
It's the same... the 580 has zoom, that's all.

hmm ok, what zoom level should i compare the two?

Around 35mm. The Sunpak is actually a bit wider than that, but around there should do it.

when i tested, i put the zoom at 50mm... i'll try 35mm.

How are you testing the output?