FLASH QUESTION Vivitar 285hv vs Sunpak 383

[Shenook]

Ok, for the owners of these two flashes please let me know what you think and your take on the question of 285hv vs sunpak 383.

I dont' own the 383 yet so can't do my own comparisons.

[Shenook]

Anyone any ideas or comments?

[gary_hendricks]

I own the Sunpak 383 and use it with my FZ-20.

http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up3/873/891873/Image024.jpg

All in all, this is a very usable flash at a very reasonable price. I get about 80 shots out of a set of four NimH 2300mah rechargeables before the flash starts losing power a little, however I have taken well over 130 shots out of this flash using one set and still got some juice out of it.

The flash has a swiveling head which is cool for "bouncing". You can point the flash at the ceiling, set it on manual, the work out the right power to light the room. Bounced flash looks so cool, like a magazine picture.