Vivitar DF383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Power Zoom /Swivel /Bounce Auto-Focus Flash for Canon TTL, Guide Number 45m 147′ Description:
The DF-383 digital power zoom flash gun is innovatively designed for both digital cameras and film cameras with features that are leading photography into the digital era. Advanced technology is used in your flash to control the correct amount of light output. Compatible with Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax or Sony/Minolta cameras (Nikon model pictured).
- Amazon Sales Rank: #732 in Camera & Photo
- Brand: Vivitar
- Dimensions: 1.05 pounds
Features
- Focus beam to assist in lowlight conditions
- Built-in Reflecting Plate and Diffuser
- Uses 4 AA batteries (not included)
- Red eye reduction
- Power Saving
Customer Reviews:
Great Budget Flash
First, I didn’t get my unit here (sorry, Amazon), but I am enjoying it a great deal.
If you’re a knowledgeable amateur or a pro on a tight budget, I would certainly recommend giving this flash a try - I think you’ll be surprised by the value.
I was impressed by the usability of this little guy. You really do have full manual control over the entire unit, which is something I really wanted after seeing the 420 work without any manual controls to speak of. And all the settings are easily changed/easily read with the LCD (which makes this easily worth the extra price compared to the 283). The power output is very good; I haven’t been disappointed yet whether firing it direct, bouncing it or using it as a slave. The built-in diffuser and card do make a very noticeable difference in the photos I’ve taken.
Slave mode is photometric, meaning that it detects another flash fire and fires with it. That means I didn’t have to buy another cheap radio slave for this unit. It works exactly as it should. What else can I say?
TTL works a treat. I’ve never had a TTL flash before, but it works great. I’ve always set everything on my camera manually, cheap flash unit included, so that’s what I’m used too. But since buying this flash there have been a couple of occasions when I was in a hurry and just popped it on there and switched it to full TTL. The zoom, aperture, and iso all adjust with the camera settings and it’s easy to read the effective range of the flash using the LCD. When you pop it up for a bounce shot, it adjusts the beam to 50mm (roughly middle of the road) and adjusts the power depending on your camera settings to still get a great shot. I’ll probably still normally use manual settings, but it’s very nice to know I’ve got something better than the popup flash when I’m in a hurry or don’t want to think too much.
Happy shooting!
Inexpensive alternative
This flash is an adequate inexpensive alternative to a dedicated Canon flash. The automatic focus function does not appear to work with a Canon SX10is, but I can live without it. The auto zoom function works fine. It gives accurate exposures in the eTTL mode. There appears to be no built in sensor when used in the slave mode, so a few trial shots are required. Eats alkaline AA batteries pretty fast, so you may want to invest in rechargeables. Overall I think it is worth the asking price.
Great flash for the money.
If you have been considering a Canon 430 exII but are suffering from sticker shock, consider the Vivitar DF383.
This flash unit functions very well. So far it has performed exactly as I would have expected. It compares feature wise to the Canon 430 ex series flash at half the cost. Auto zoom head works well, it is maybe slightly slower and louder then the canon flash units. Recycle time is pretty good as well. I have not yet tested the slave feature but I’m glad it is present as it will allow this unit to fit in with future needs. There are two features I wish the flash included, A flash stand would have been nice, and a pc port (for use with radio triggers and such).