I've been noticing some people finding my page on Google searching for more detailed information about the 383 Super. Since the 383 Super is a reasonably priced manually-controllable flash, suitable for both on and off camera use, it's experienced a little bit of a resurgence in recent times. Vivitar has responded as well by putting the 285 back on the market.

After reading Strobist, I almost purchased the recommended cheap old Nikon flash. However, I also wanted a flash to be carried around for impromptu situations that I could have better control over, I felt that the Nikon would be too specific to the Nikon cameras.

My personal preference in natural-looking photography is to search out beautiful lighting instead of trying to create it. It has a habit of surprising you with beautiful colors and glows and shading. Plus, it's cheaper and I'm stingy. So I picked up the Sunpack Digital Flash.

Vivitar went bankrupt, but apparently the new owner is going to make the 285HV still.

Kitten against the Port of Oakland and the setting sun.

A pair of legs and a lightpainting with purple and blue lights

A model being painted around by blue lights

A woman being lightpainted in red, as if flames were around her

Sarah CP in pleather with lightpainting.

A battle between two sides of color, with a woman in the middle

A pair of legs and blue illumination

A butterfly created with multicolored lights

A woman being lightpainted in red

A streak of fire

A streak of green playing in the model's hair