Vivitar 285 Flash Unit...

[monkeymax]

Hey guys... Long time since I've posted in this section (my bad - I've got some photos from my Christmas holiday in Brazil I'm yet to post here!) but would really appreciate opinions from you experts!

One of my best friends has asked me to do a headshot of her for her CV. Not really a problem I figured - should be easy enough. Only, since returning the old external flash to my Dad, I'm currently flash-less bar the built-in flash on the 400D. I've got a Lumiquest Soft Screen for this built-in flash (not tried it yet - it only arrived this morning!) which should help soften the light from the flash... but I've been doing a lot of reading as I've never done set-up portrait shots before... well certainly not indoors.

As we'll probably be working indoors in the house, lighting is going to be a problem. I've considered just using some of my workshop lights (think bright halogen lights) but I'm also now thinking of something else.

I've been really thinking of getting an external flash for a while. A Speedlite 580 would be fantastic, but is well out of my budget at the moment (to be honest, spending any money at all on the photography is a bad move for me at the moment!!!). So due to the cost of the Speedlite, I decided against it.

But through reading on how-tos and reviews, I stumbled on the Vivitar 285HV and have found a seller doing a great deal on them on eBay. (that's 2 of the flashes, and associated kit)

I've been thinking about doing more set-up shots indoors recently (shorter days, rubbish weather) and reckon that using these strapped to things they could be useful outdoors too... So I think I may use them a bit! (but this really would be a new, unexplored area for me!)

So, am I just trying to justify spending more money I really shouldn't spend, or do you guys really think they're worth going for? And do they look a good deal to you?

(And I suppose, do I need to go this far for just a headshot, seeing as I'm not exactly making money off it! After all, I could possibly buy the flash units next month instead when financially it'll be easier...)



Edit: Looking at today's post on Strobist ( http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/ - More Bert, On Location) where they seem to use this flash a lot with an umbrella in outdoor situations... I think I'm sold...

[BerserkerCatSplat]

I love 285HV's, they're great for off-camera work. Now, that being said, if you're not already set up for off-camera lighting and you're not being paid for the headshots, I wouldn't bother until it's financially viable.

[monkeymax]

Cheers BCS - I really value your opinion on this stuff...!
I must admit having continued reading on Strobist (probably a very bad mistake!!!) I'm now even more tempted anyway, but yep, they'll probably have to wait for a month...

[BerserkerCatSplat]

No problem! Strobist is great, it's sent me to great lengths to avoid spending money on lighting equipment.

[flamingice]

I'm also looking at getting a set of 285HV's... they seem like a pretty good place to start experimenting with remote flashes. I don't know how much of a "fantastic deal" that e-bay auction is though. $300 seems a bit steep when you consider that the retail price on those flashes is about $90 each, and the wireless package is worth maybe $50. So, are 2 inflatable flash diffusers and a bracket worth $70 to you?

That said, I guess that depends on what you have available close to you. The last quoted price I saw for the 285HV's here was about $190 CAD... which now compares directly to the US dollar. So, we're getting ripped off here... not sure what the situation over in England is!

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah, 285HV prices in Canada are a complete ripoff.

[monkeymax]

Yup, we're getting ripped off in Blighty too - they seem to be a similar price as they are in Canada... or twice the price of in the States, or that eBay seller... So when I do come around to buying them, I'll probably end up getting them from him anyway. You're right about buying them separately though - that is probably what I'll end up doing...