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.
I've been noticing some people finding my page on Google searching for more detailed information about the 383 Super. Now, since both of my 383's are presently dead and I've started to buy Vivitar 285 HV's instead, I might as well provide yet another guide.
Foma's 400 speed (very optimistically boxed... it's really only about 250-320 most of the time) inexpensive B&W film.
I'm not sure how different the 35mm versions and 120 versions really are. They are coated on different bases. The 35mm version is on a clear base and the 120 version is on a blue base.