Sunpak Flash

[Q97]

I've seen some Sunpak flashes on special - just wondering if they are any good?

[MarkW]

Good for ?????

Portraiture or Happy snaps or Macro ?????

For a Digital or Film Camera?????

For a Nikon or a Canon or a Pentax?????

What model of Sunpack flash ???


I aint no mind reader

[Q97]

Oh, yeah, details my mind is somewhere else today...

Model is PZ 4000AF.

Basically want to bung on to a D60. I don't do studio shots, wont ever use CLS, just want something a bit punchier than the standard flip up flash.

I have had thoughts about getting a SB600/800/900 but have decided that a quality 50mm comes first.

[Q97]

D'oh!

Ordered one last night, and got told today they had sold out...bugger. Discontinued line, so that's it...gotta be fast for specials I guess.

[MarkW]

Just a post on the specs for this flash

Make sure you get one that matches the Nikon system. The way that the reviews are worded would seem that there are different versions for Canon Nikon and Minolta - not one version does all. You can get TTL and Fill Flash provided you get the correct version.

This is a fairly powerful flash having a guide number of 132ft @ 80mm ISO 100 where as the SB800 is 184ft @ 105mm ISO100 but you pay for the high power with a slow cycle speed at best 8 seconds - 6 to 4 seconds on the SB800, battery type dependant.

The zoom head only goes to 80mm where as the sb800 will go to 105mm.

As a very basic flash it will probably do what you want most of the time but as your skills in flash photography increase you will come up against these limitations.

Just a quick word on Nikon CLS - once you have used it you never want to use a corded or hot shoe flash again - unless of course you are on the move and the setup is just too much.

[old dog]

good info Mark. I want another flash for my D80. Have the sb400 and want the 600/800 as well. Happy with the 400 but want cls and more power.

[Q97]

Have the sb400 and want the 600/800 as well. Happy with the 400 but want cls and more power.

On that note...if you go the 800 wouldn't it be worth the little extra for the 900? Doesn't it have thermal overload protection and some other good features as well?

<edit> to answer my own question it appears there's a couple of hundred rea$on$ why you'd get the 800...my mistake, thought they were closer in price.</edit>

Seeing as they sold out, I probably wont be in a hurry at the moment. Sunpak do have flashes that are Nikon compatible, but dearer, though not as dear as a proper SB... The 4000 was only $66 on clearance Couldn't pass up the oportunity at that price...

[MarkW]

Sorry for only doing the comparison to the SB800 - its just that thats the one I use and I am comfortbale using it and understand the specs.

The SB800 is also one of the most widely used strobes in the Nikon range and still has the highest power available (the SB900 has a higher zoom range).