The strength of this unit is the amount of power it puts out and the all the features to control the power output. Very sensitive for fill in flash on outdoor or low light shots.

The size is its main weekness. Don't use the battery clip that it comes with, get a good battery pack.

I first purchased this flash over 20 years ago when I was just starting out and needed something durable because my assignments were at all day sporting events and needed max power from my light. While it is big, it has been the most essential flash that I have used. I use it with a quantum battery 1 and have never run out of juice. I've used it for portaiture and weddings as well and can't live without it. It gives me indoor lighting flexibility with various power ratios and am thankful for the control that it gives me. It is definitly not for the jump over people to get the shot photographer. This is for someone that takes lighting seriously and wants maximum control in a portable unit. Considering the life, I sent it to the manufacturer once for servicing and has been going strong.

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None.

powerful, solid , pro use..

Uses C size rechargeable batts...
Sync cord is expensive..

I finally purchased this Sunpak 622 pro system flash gun on Ebay for 89$ used. 1st of all i like to mention for all buyers out there that this is a biggest flash i've seen.its huge!the flash head is about 80% bigger than an average flash head.the battery pack is also a handle that clip and plug in in front of the grip,it uses 4 C size batteries, therefore it is very heavy and bulky on left side when mounted with camera. its built solidly and sturdy, when you do wear the entire system with your camera on your neck its will loft side and drop to left side cause of its weigh, so i basically hold it on my left hand often.
I bought a set of 4 reg alkaline C batts, but it didnt perform too good, its getting weak on power very fast.
so i bought 8 C rechargeable batts with 5000maH for it and it fires much better, after all this is a high voltage flash, it can be plug into the wall outlet too.I use it on Auto mode, it works very good, its TTL works great, it measures the distance of the subject infront of the flash and compensates for the flash power, if its close it use less power, if far away it use max power, for max power it will takes time to recharge about 2-3 secs on fresh batts, but for close shots it can recharges in 1sec each.
The flash can be tilted and swivel around for bounce flash. I use it with a diffuser to soften off shadows.
I must mention for 1st time buyers, that you should study about this flash before buy it, its sync cords are not cheap, it can be complicated, if you want to use it TTL with your camera hotshoe. I just use it simple way of the sync cord with household 2 prong plugs into the flashhead and the other end into the sync hole on my camera, make sure your camera has a sync hole, ok?, otherwise you have to buy a TTL hotshoe mount, you can see all accessories here..
http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=sunpak%20622
Finally, i like it, but its weigh can really wear you down.not an everyday flash use, only for wedding and such.
I personally like to use my Sunpak TrakII power pak better.
Hope this will help, good luck..

Customer Service

None

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None...

The weakness of this unit is the visibility of these controls. Yes they work, but when you doing weddings and your are out in bright sun light and in dark reception halls and you have to work quickly, it is not good. The controls can be accidentally moved, and I wish they had a sound to indicate the flash was working. This flash unit is technically very good, but the people that design it, never used it in the real world.

This flash is very powerful and fast, but what I find amazing about this unit is it has the capability of giving you the “perfect” exposer in the auto and TTL mode no mater how much or how little flash power you need. Some of the flash unit, such as the Q-flash, have the power, but will over expose when you only need a puff of flash.

All the cable such as the power cords and TTL connections are extreme high quality. Nothing is going to fall off or break. This is also a very versatile unit such as multiple power sources and flash heads.

This flash unit weighs about 2-lbs, my personal opinion, I would not use this with a swivel camera bracket. It needs to be directly attract to the camera. I personally made a metal bracket. The plastic flash bracket that comes with the camera is too flimsy. Once I attach this metal flash unit to the camera, the flash unit because part of the camera and it can use it as a handle.

Power without end! Not as expensive as Metz Very reliable Perfect exposure Balances very well with a heavier body/lens combination - forget a compact camera with that rig.

The PC cable is in the way most of the time - too long.

Borrowed that monster (the non-dedicated auto version) for a couple of events. Man, that thing has power!!! Exposures are dead on. It looks a bit plasticky, but is very well built.

Customer Service

???

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Nothing in that size, but Vivitar 285HV, Sunpak AF4000, Nikon SB23, Metz MZ28

This is the second time in less than six months that a Sunpak 622 flash has failed new out of the box. On line company I purchased the first one and now the second one refuses to replace it. Refered me to Sunpak who only takes messages and promises to return calls within 24 hours in the order in which they were taken. I'm buying a Metz.

Power, repeatability, ease of use, different heads

Without warning this product will fire off 2-4 stops under when in the auto mode. I own three of these and two of them have done this at the worst possible moments during weddings. There is no indication that there is a malfunction since the "OK" light comes on and the full ready light returns each time. Sometimes it's one frame, but at the last job two weeks ago it was 8 frames in a row and then random frames.

When the Sunpak 622 Super works, it works great. Very powerful and more important, repeatable.

Customer Service

You leave a message and yes, they do call back in 24 hours. No, they've never heard of one of their products ever doing this. But other photographers I've talked to have had this problem.

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 283's

High Guide number. TTl dedicated camera control for quick situations as well as manual and auto modes for versatility. Reasonably priced for the features.

Used once 3 days after purchasing unit quite. Took back to store and they fiddled with it and it started working again so I left with it in hand. It worked for 2 weekends and no problems then quite completely in the middle of an assignment.

I thought if anything went wrong the store would be a force in rectifying the situation even though I had concerns about manufacturers customer service from the beginning. I had bought large ticket items at the store before and got excellent treatment. Now they seem to just sit and wait instead of acting upon situation and neglect to try to get further information. Returning flash after screwing around for 2 months with situation. Value for dollar is bad if equipment doesn't work.

Customer Service

Combination of store personel and manufacturers lack of interest in resolving matter quickly has led to concerns about future problems with replacement unit and resolving those issues in a timely fashion. Returning unit for refund to buy metz brand.

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None. First flash of this caliber I have purchased.

Have used this flash for many years. Very powerful. Manual range down to 1/128 is great.

This is a very heavy flash especially when 4-c cells are mounted to it instead of power pak.
One day during a wedding the flash started to fire by its self!! After along time at the Sunpak Canadian distributor the flash came back with the OK light now burning constantly. Dispite that the flash has operated fine.

After doing weddings and families etc. for over 15 yrs I have relised that you just don't need wopper power when chasing a bride or kids. This flashes power is wonderful when mounted for large groups etc. and since I have just changed from a RZ system to a Bronica (because of size and weight) the flash now dwarfs the camera! I'm now looking at ways to mount the flash onto either the tripod or a separate light stand. I'm problably going back to my trusty Vivitar 285 HV for more portability and has plenty enough power for the church isle and getting down on the ground with kids or a highschool senior.

Customer Service

Hmm? Never did fix the flash back to its correct operating state. (OK light stays on)

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 285 HV, Sunpak 120 -yuk :(

This flash is incredibly powerful. There are several heads available to suit any need. This is the easiest flash I have ever seen for setting fill flash and any manual flash application.

Weight, but you can't have power and light weight.

If you need a powerful flash that is easy to control, this is the one for you. It is best used by the advanced photographer who knows how to use its features. I will be getting another soon.

Customer Service

It broke down when it was almost new. I sent it in and it was quickly repaired. It has been trouble free for about 5 years now.

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Vivitar 3900 handle flash, numerous shoe mount flashes

Amazing power, always there when you need it.
Extremely fast recycle times when used with pack.
Modular design with inexpensive accessory heads.
Inexpensive compared to other units of similar power.

Bulky
Feels cheap
Vulnerable to dust/dirt
Bulky
Ext-11 cord is a little too long sometimes and ridculously expensive.

Power, Bulky, Power, Bulky. It's a trade off I suppose. Dependable output on Auto sensor, and TTL. 7 f-stop range on auto beats just about everything else on the market.
The control sliders on back are succeptible to damage if dirt or dust gets into it. The sliders have a tendency to break off. Tocad doesnt' seem interested in their customers questions or concerns either.
I use mine mostly for night sporting events.. with 800 iso film, I can easily reach out to 100 feet with a 2.8 lens and have enough power for 2 more consecutive shots.

An excellent buy if you need the power.

Customer Service

not too good

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Quantum T2
Metz 50CL