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.

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

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

A butterfly created with multicolored lights

A model being painted around by blue lights

A streak of fire

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

A streak of green playing in the model's hair

A pair of legs and blue illumination

Kitten against the Port of Oakland and the setting sun.

A woman being lightpainted in red

Sarah CP in pleather with lightpainting.