Covered above...

Covered above..

Benn using the the MZ440AF-PT SunPak strobe for about 3 years on a Pentax K20D. The strobe will also work on the Pentax K10D as well. Good all around strobe for close in work out to about 15 feet or so. I use it with the defuser and that cuts the light somewhat but gives a bit more natural look -- also really cuts down on the flash "hot spot" because the light is scattered. I have used the bounce flash in the horizontal and vertical and both work great - I have also used this strobe completely off the camera - works great on a teather cord attached to the hot shoe on top of the camera. So, I am happy with the unit for my purposes.
Now, having said that - I would not recommend using this unit to photograph weddings or very large groups - it just does not have that kind of power - it will reach out quite a bit but does also fall off quickly - so, twos and threes and even fours maybe a five person group... but whole families, like at a wedding, or some other large occasion - be careful - you may be get the results you are after. Up close it is super and renders all colors just right.
For the price - I'd say, hard to beat for the capability you are getting. Also, use Lithium Ion batteries - they last longer and the unit takes 4 AA's... so carry extras with you...Any other questions - reach me at: robsfotoart@gmail.com.

Customer Service

NA..

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powerful, easy to use

exposure confirmation light fades too quickly.

Its a powerful flash that's easy to use. It doesn't have any cool features, but it will make a good student flash, especially since you can get it for around $90.

Customer Service

haven't used it.

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Powerful
Swivel/ Tilt
Price

(Manual Zoom)
(no E- TTL)
Manual controls, no display

I tried the Canon 380ex before purchasing the Sunpak flash. I needed a little extra power, and I was looking to save a few dollars(like to save up for the 540). The other advantage of the Sunpak is the ability to swivel. What do you lose? E- TTL(max sync of 1/125), and a powerzoom head. Build quality is fair, and mine has seen some abuse. You can't go wrong for the price.

Customer Service

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Canon 380ex

Bounce/swivel head
AF assist
powerful
TTL support
neat accessories (WA diffuser and angle bouncer)

poor instruction manual (one sheet of paper)
simplistic controls
Pentax version does not fully support all exposure modes

I got this flash because my current Pentax flash (the AF200T) does not have a bounce head, and I wanted to try out bounce and use some of the nifty Lumiquest gadgets (like the Mini-Softbox and the Pocket Bouncer). If you're looking for a completely automatic TTL flash with no options for any manual flash work, then this is a well-priced unit that supports bounce and swivel.

If you're looking for control or customization, forget it. My Pentax 200T flash beats this Sunpak model flat. On the Pentax, I can adjust levels for fill flash (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full), set power levels, switch modes, and rely on the flash's exposure "eye" in addition to the TTL mode. The Sunpak can do none of this. It's all TTL, all the time.

Also, in what I would call a disappointment verging on false advertising, the Sunpak does not (repeat: DOES NOT) support all Pentax exposure modes. On my camera, it only works in fully auto mode. If you want aperture priority flash, you're not going to get it with this Sunpak unit (again, my Pentax 200T does support this feature). When a flash claims that it supports dedicated TTL functions, I suspect it to support all of them or tell me otherwise somewhere in the manual.

Overall, I'm sorry I bought this instead of getting a more expensive Pentax model with bounce and full support of all Pentax TTL modes. Of course, if all you ever plan to do is shoot in full auto mode, this wouldn't necessarily matter to you.

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Pentax AF200T

PRICE
Guide number (40 @50mm)
90 degrees tilt
270 degree swivel
manual zoom capability
20mm coverage with panel

No customization.
Pathetic instructions

Mark had it right when he said "If you're looking for a completely automatic TTL flash with no options for any manual flash work, then this is a well-priced unit that supports bounce and swivel. If you're looking for control or customization, forget it."

However, I did not experience the same compatibility issues with my Nikon N60 that he did with his Pentax. It works like a champ.

I bought this flash to help eliminate red-eye from my shots and for the increased guide number over the built-in-flash. If you want more control buy a higher priced unit. I am very happy with my purchase so I'm giving it five stars.

Customer Service

Never needed it. Works like a champ!

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