Sunpak Super 383 Flash | 
| Brand: SunPak
This item is no longer available
Rating:  34 reviews
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 4 x 3
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 383
Model: 383
UPC: 090729100204
EAN: 0090729100204
ASIN: B00007E8D1
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| Features:
| • | Features bounce/swivel head, 3 f/stop auto ranges, manual control with power ratio from full to 1/16, exposure OK lamp | | • | Auto Range: 2.3–60 ft | | • | Supplied with PC cord and uses 4 AA batteries or external battery packs | | • | Covers 35mm lens | | • | Guide No. 120 |
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Product Description
The 383 Super is a powerful flash used by enthusiasts and professionals alike. It features bounce/swivel head, 3 f/stop auto ranges, manual control with power ratio from full to 1/16, exposure OK lamp.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
Great Flash Unit December 18, 2004
Tezza (USA)
115 out of 116 found this review helpful
I bought this flash unit for my Fuji Finepix 602. Unfortunately, for digital camera owners, this flash will make your rig a little "top heavy". However, if you want a decent flash unit, get used to it.
Nice thing about using an external flash is it has its own batteries, so your batteries in your camera will last longer. Also, the viewfinder doesn't "black out" while the flash is recharging (which is good).
I use this flash in auto mode, and as a "fill flash".
For fill flash, I just use my normal exposure settings on the camera, and put the flash on manual and either 1/16 power or 1/8 power (essentially adding one or two stops of light into the scene). The fill flash brings the subject out away from the background and gives the picture a nice contrasty look.
If its fairly dark, I just use the Auto setting. Basically, you can choose three apertures depending on the ISO setting your using. The Flash sync speed is 1/1000th of a second, so I just set my camera to manual, and set the speed to 1/1000. Then, depending on your ISO setting, the back of the flash will recommend which F stop to use, and how far the light will throw.
I usually use 1/1000th of a second, F2.8, ISO 200, which gives me about 60 feet of coverage. I can also use the F5.6 setting for medium distance settings, and F11 setting for "intimate" flash settings where the subject is close.
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.
I'm giving you, the potential flash buyer, lots of info about how to use this flash. Although the manual is pretty good with the product, it really doesn't do justice to the complexity of understanding light, exposure, and how flash fits into the picture (mind the pun).
Probably why so many people avoid using a flash, when it is really an invaluable tool.
Take your photography to the next level and get the Sunpak, its short money for the difference it will make in your photography.
A great affordable semi-auto flash February 27, 2007
GEEBEE
64 out of 64 found this review helpful
I am a great proponent of the older flash technology that the SunPak 383 represents. It's inexpensive, powerful, versatile, provides reliable service and makes excellent, well exposed photos.
What a lot of people don't realize is that these Thyristor based units are semi-automatic flash units. How it works is as follows.
1) you set your camera to manual exposure, and set your ISO on camera.
2) You set the ISO on the flash unit and it will give you a choice of 3 or 4 f/stop settings(the aperture) and the distances that the flash will be effective at that f/stop.
3) You set the aperture (f/stop) on the camera and then set the camera's shutter to the fastest stutter speed that will synchronize with flash units. (In your camera manual).
4) Start taking pictures. The thyristor acts as a light meter and when it calculates that adequate light has hit the subject, it shuts the flash down. (calculations based on f/stop, distance and ISO settings).
Even bounce flash is well exposed because the Thyristor window always points forward. So if you point the flash head to the ceiling for a more natural light, the thyristor window is still aimed at the subject.
True, they are not foolproof, but very little in this life IS foolproof Including the FULL Auto Flash units). So you do need to practice a bit before shooting something important.
These things work great and the 383 is one of the best. Many wedding and commercial photographers use them because they are reliable, powerful, cheap, and they work with ANY camera that can manually set the f/stop and shutter speed.
I use my 383 with my Olympus E500 DSLR camera and the pictures are great. Hope this helps.
Great Affordable Flash January 24, 2007
A reader (Michigan)
55 out of 55 found this review helpful
I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ50 digital camera and, when I use the wide angle extension on my lens, I can't use the intrnal flash (the lens casts a shadow). So, I began shopping for a flash. I was shocked when I saw the prices of the Panasonic flashes for this camera ($300 and $500). After searching the Internet, I found the Sunpack 383 flash. I was a little nervous buying it. I worried it might not sync well or have some defect since the price was so much lower. Well, I received the flash, slipped it onto my camera's hot shoe, and it works beautifully. No glitches and the results are great. I particularily like the 3 automatic settings -- maximum distance, intermediate distance and maximum depth of field. It also has a great bounce flash head that can be pointed in any direction. Reference marks give the exact angle of the bounce. I'm very happy with this purchased and thrilled that I saved quite a bit of money.
SUNPAK 383 SUPER October 4, 2005
Mark 1 STAB (Brooklyn, NY United States)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
This flash is the perfect back-up for a studio, or Main/flash fill for an amateur studio. I use several w/slaves and lines and the images rival set-ups that cost thousands of Dollars. I like that they are light and easy to pack and transport. They are reasonably priced. They have been around for a long time and do not have bells and whistles. The SUNPAK has auto/f-stop and manual. If you are a real photographer, you will know how to use them. The down side is that if your SUNPAK is plugged into a wall, it takes far too long to recharge (sometimes 3-5 seconds). Rechargeable batteries seem to work the best with 1-3 second recharge times between flashes.
A Great Electronic Flash for a Great Price! July 5, 2005
Marchwind1949 (Reading, MA United States)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
I purchased my Sunpak 383 Super a little over three years ago for my Fuji digital camera. Not only is it easy to use, but is has great battery life and is very inexpensive for what you get. I have used it in a number of locations including auditoriums and other large rooms with very impressive results. I would recommend this to anyone who uses digital cameras that have a hot shoe.
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