Made Just For You: Trying to be a Strobist!?

Specs:

Guide Number

120-ISO 100ft. / 36-DIN 21m
Auto Range

3-70ft. / 1-21.3m
Flash Duration (Auto)

1/1000 - 1/30000sec
Flash Duration (Manual)

1/1000sec
Vertical Illumination Angle

20-53°
Horizontal Illumination Angle

27-70°
Color Temperature

6,000°K
Connections

Hot Shoe, Shutter Cord
Weight (without batteries)

423g
Dimensions

100mm(W) x 130mm (H) x 105mm (D)

After taking all those senior portraits without a flash and only relying on good light from the weather, I knew it would star raining soon. I was right! So my solutions was to find a good flash that is not only cheap but a good bang for the buck. With a little research I found nikon flashes that were excellent, but it did not meet my criteria! They are so expensive...well for me anyway. It did not take me long to find a cheaper flash that I could buy for $50 on Ebay. The Vivitar 285hv! I searched and watched many flashes on Ebay with no luck in winning any bid :( For several weeks I watched Ebay and Just two days ago I WON ONE! :D I'm so excited to get my flash! I have several more senior portraits to take including my own...so I'm hoping the flash will be here in time.

I found that many beginner strobists ( a technique using an off camera flash) use the Vivitar and I have read many reviews.

*Pros:
- It's more affordable
- You get more bang for your buck
- Easy to use
-Sturdy
-Powerful

*Cons:

-Heavy

-Bulky

-Battery hog unless you have rechargeable batteries

I wan to be able to do this... :D