need a really powerful flash...cheap

[amuderick]

My Rollei E 36 RE flash guns are starting to fail me. Instead of scavenging ebay for more of the same, I was thinking of finding a different model flash. I plan on using it with my Sputnik 3D camera. So, I need a LOT of power (guide number) and don't really care about recharge time...if I take a shot a minute, it is a lot. Also, I want something really cheap. ;-)

Suggestions?

 

[fotch]

Where are you located and what is the budget? Cheap may mean different things to different people. Location is important because some locations have lots to choose from, other places very little, both of these variables effect prices. Do you know what the light output of your existing flash is?

 

[lxdude]

Sunpak 555's are cheap and powerful. And tough. It's what I use for throwing a lot out there.

 

[amuderick]

I am in Philadelphia. The sunpak looks decent. My rollei is a gn 150 as well. It let's me shoot at f/16 and 10ft. It also looks cheap...probably since it doesn't support ettl.

Additional model # suggestions appreciated

 

[Q.G.]

That sort of power, and no TTL-control, a Metz 45 CT-1.
Used, they sometimes go for peanuts.

 

[tkamiya]

I also have Metz. My favorite is Metz 45CT-3. Guide number 145 I think. 65 dollars-ish at KEH. I like it so much I just bought a second one.

 

[benjiboy]

A Metz 60 CT1 has a guide number of 60 metres, so powerful will nearly remove wallpaper, and cheap second-hand.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Check out Calumet (APUG partner) at their location on Market St. Lots of used/consigns in house.

 

[holmburgers]

I think what you've described are FLASH-BULBS.

Get a Honeywell Tilt-A-Mite or similar. It can use AG1 and M bulbs and maybe others (not sure, just got mine). Guide numbers in the hundreds, cheap if bought in lots on eBay or found in antique malls and they have nearly unlimited coverage when used w/o a reflector.

My 2 cents

 

[craigclu]

Any of the flashes mentioned will do a nice job... Another one to consider is the Agfa 643CS. GN of 212, built-in diffusers, wink light fill flash (second flash tube). They slip through eBay from time to time at rather low prices. I've accumulated a number of these and some Quantum battery equipment to ease the battery consumption (these are 12V and run on 8 AA cells). They have a unique drum head/swivel design that allows bounce/wink from any angle.

 

[brian d]

I think what you've described are FLASH-BULBS.

Get a Honeywell Tilt-A-Mite or similar. It can use AG1 and M bulbs and maybe others (not sure, just got mine). Guide numbers in the hundreds, cheap if bought in lots on eBay or found in antique malls and they have nearly unlimited coverage when used w/o a reflector.

and if you really want to light it up...

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I also have a Metz 45 which I like, but I haven't used in the last few years.

Jeff

 

[lxdude]

and if you really want to light it up...

DANG. That's it. Just...DANG. :eek:

 

[mopar_guy]

and if you really want to light it up...

If that's not enough light, add a couple of Graflite side lighting units.

 

[bblhed]

I was going to say check ebay for a Honneywell Tilt-a-mite and some #5 or #25 bulbs to go with it, that combination can turn night into day for about 40 feet. I have shot a #5 in the dark and it looks like high noon on 200 film at f/16 this is from one side of my Kodak Stereo, don't mind the dust from the scanner.


Backyard flashbulb by bblhed, on Flickr

 

[djacobox372]

I use a vivitar 283 flash on my sputnik, works well and seems to sync just fine at 1/125.

 

[nickrapak]

Add me in as a vote for flashbulbs. I have a box of M5s in front of me, and they have a GN of 200 at ASA 100 and 1/100 sec shutter speed. Of course, I am assuming that you have an older camera with "M" sync. If not, you will have to use 1/30 sec, but then you will get a GN of 260.

 

[premo]

I also vote for 5's or 25's. We used to call these "lightning in a bottle".

 

[2F/2F]

I'd get a variable-power Sunpak or Metz Potato masher. They are the most versatile, and the most bang for the buck. The Sunpak 622 in particular is extremely versatile. There are six or seven different heads for it, including an IR head, a zoom head, and a bare bulb head. They have a GN of 200 or so, but are more expensive than the 555.

Sunpak 383 or Vivitar 283 or 285 (all speedlights, not potato mashers) are not bad either, though they have less power. The Viv 283 is not adjustable, which I consider to be a deal killer (though I do have one that I got for cheap).

I decided on the Sunpak 555, which is a potato masher that takes filters and plenty of other accessories, like external batteries, A/C adapters, rechargeable battery packs, etc. It has a GN of 160, and cost me about the same number of U.S. dollars. The filter kit added $30. The only time the flash has failed me was when it got dumped on by a water drop helicopter when shooting a fire. It came back 30 minutes later. It is my #1 flash for weddings, was my number one flash when shooting news events, and I would have no reservations about suggesting one, especially for such mild use. They are very capable and very powerful for what they cost.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Second hand Norman 200B packs and LH-2 heads are pretty reasonably priced, unless you need to upgrade the battery and get the new charger.