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Flash comparison

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A list of flash guns, for easy comparison of strobes, from different manufactures. The list is intended to supplement the list of photographic equipment makers.

List of current models

Name Guide Number[nb 1] PC Connection Angle of Coverage Variable Power (Manual) TTL Bounce Swivel Interval[nb 2] Optical Slave Other Notes
Canon Speedlite 430EX[1] 43m/141ft[nb 3] No 24-105mm 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) E-TTL II yes yes 3.7 sec No
Canon Speedlite 430EX II[2] 43m/141ft[nb 3] No 24-105mm 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) E-TTL II yes yes 3.7 sec No
Canon Speedlite 580EX II[3] 58m/190ft[nb 3] Yes 24-105mm 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) E-TTL yes yes 6 sec No
Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital[4] 48m/158ft 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) 25 levels TTL[nb 4] yes yes 3.5 Yes Can update firmware over USB,

High Speed Sync

Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital[5] 58m/190ft 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) 25 levels TTL[nb 4] yes yes 3.5 Yes Can update firmware over USB

Has secondary reflector High Speed Sync

Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight[6] 30m/98ft[nb 5] No 24-85mm, 18mm with flip down diffuser 1/1-1/64 i-TTL/CLS yes yes 3.5 sec no[7]
Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight[8] 34m/111.5ft Yes 17-200mm 1/1-1/128 i-TTL/CLS yes yes 6sec yes
Pentax AF-200FG[9] 20m No 28mm 1/1, 1/2, 1/4 TTL no no 4sec no
Pentax AF-360FGZ[10] 36m No[nb 6] 24-85mm 1/1-1/64 PTTL yes yes 6sec yes
Pentax AF-540FGZ[11] 54m No[nb 6] 24-85mm 1/1-1/64 PTTL yes yes 6sec yes Headsize: 70x45mm/2.75x1.77"
Sigma EF 500 DG ST[12] 50m/165ft No 28-105mm 1/1,1/16 TTL[nb 7] yes yes 6sec no
Sigma EF 500 DG Super[13] 50m/165ft No 28-105mm 8 levels TTL[nb 7] yes yes 6sec yes
Sigma EF 530 DG ST[14] 53m/175ft No 24-105mm 1/1,1/16 TTL[nb 8] yes yes 6sec no
Sigma EF 530 DG Super[15] 53m/175ft No 24-105mm 1/1-1/64 (Sigma/Canon 1/1-1/128) TTL[nb 8] yes yes 6sec yes
Vivitar 285HV[16] 42m/140ft Yes, proprietary jack 28-105mm 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 no yes no 10sec no

List of discontinued models

Name Guide Number PC Connection Angle of Coverage Variable Power (Manual) TTL Bounce Swivel Interval Optical Slave Discontinued Other Notes
Canon Speedlite 580ex[17] 58/190 (ISO 100, m/ft)(at 105mm zoom-head position)[17] No [17] 17-105mm[17] 1/1-1/128[17] eTTL and Canon's infrared system[17] yes[17] yes[17] 0.1 to 3 sec for normal flash, 0.1 to 3 sec for quick flash[17] no[17] The flash foot is easily modified to include a sync connection
Nikon SB-28 AF Speedlight[18] 18m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 Yes 18 - 85mm 1/1 - 1/64 TTL yes yes 3sec no Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card.
Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight[19] 38 (at 35mm) / 56m (at 105mm) at ISO100 Yes 24-105mm 1/1-1/128 i-TTL/CLS yes yes 6sec yes[20] October 2008[21]
Vivitar 283 36m/120ft at ISO100[22] No No 1/1 [nb 9] no no no 11sec no Auto Thyristor.
Vivitar 550FD 4.5m at ISO100[23]

24m at ISO100[24]

No No 1/1 TTL yes no 7sec no Auto Thyristor.

Notes

  1. ^ At ISO 100 and Maximum zoom. Manufactures value unless otherwise noted.
  2. ^ Normally given as the time it takes from full power to full power shot, with fresh Alkaline batteries
  3. ^ a b c 105mm zoom-head position
  4. ^ a b Available in Canon, Nikon/Fujifilm, 4/3, Pentax/Samsung, Sony models
  5. ^ 35mm zoom-head position, 20 C/68 F
  6. ^ a b X-Sync
  7. ^ a b Available in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Minolta and Pentax models
  8. ^ a b Available in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax models
  9. ^ 1/1-1/32 with VP-1 http://www.photonomikon.com/index.php/vivitar-vp-1-varipower-adapter-review/

References

  1. ^ http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=141&modelid=11923
  2. ^ http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=217&modelid=17302
  3. ^ http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=141&modelid=14998
  4. ^ http://www.metz.de/en/photo-electronics/mecablitz-models/system-flash-units/mecablitz-48-af-1-digital/product-information.html
  5. ^ http://www.metz.de/en/photo-electronics/mecablitz-models/system-flash-units/mecablitz-58-af-1-digital/product-information.html
  6. ^ http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Flashes/4802/SB-600-AF-Speedlight-Unit.html
  7. ^ http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/08/unlock-superslave-in-your-nikon-sb-800.html
  8. ^ http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/speedlights/sb-900/index.htm
  9. ^ http://www.pentaximaging.com/accessories/AF200FG/
  10. ^ http://www.pentaximaging.com/accessories/AF360FGZ/
  11. ^ http://www.pentaximaging.com/accessories/AF540FGZ/
  12. ^ http://www.sigma-photo.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3256
  13. ^ http://www.sigma-photo.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3257
  14. ^ http://www.sigma-photo.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3266
  15. ^ http://www.sigma-photo.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3263
  16. ^ http://www.popphoto.com/lighting/3983/vivitar-285hv-review.html
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j http://downloads.canon.com/cpr/software/camera/580EX.pdf
  18. ^ Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-28 User Manual
  19. ^ http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/ProductDetail.page?pid=4801
  20. ^ http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/08/unlock-superslave-in-your-nikon-sb-800.html
  21. ^ http://nikonrumors.com/2008/10/27/nikon-drops-sb-800-flash.aspx
  22. ^ http://www.shopping.com/xPF-Vivitar-Vivitar-283-Electronic-Flash
  23. ^ http://www.tedfelix.com/Photography/Technique.html
  24. ^ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/comp_vivitar_flash_1.html