Cheap non automatic flash for 20d

[dariusz calkowski]

I need recomendation on cheap secondhand flash. It should be

powerfull reliable , tilt , swivel and if posible zoom unit. I'd like

to have something with various output like 1/2 1/4 and mayby less if

I'll need.

Please don't suggest dedicated units becouse i'm on budget. I can

spend 30-50GBP no more. Is any? Sorry for mistakes , I'm not a native

speaker. Links welcome. Thank you for your help :-)

[mark u]

Your 20D can handle a hotshoe voltage of up to 250V. That gives you quite a few choices. A Sunpak model such as the 333 would be a good choice:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EMMp

[conraderb]

I second the sunpak 333 as a cheap secondhand flash. it's actually quite a capable unit, and if it falls into the river or your dog eats it, you just get another one.

[mcgarity]

A Vivitar 285 would fit most of your requirements.

[jimstrutz]

A used Philips P536 does all you want and sells on ebay for under $20 ...when you can find one. They should be more common in Europe than in the states. A used Sunpak 383 or 333 would also fit your parameters, they are better units (spec wise) than the Vivitar 283/285's, but doesn't hold their value as well, so sell used for considerably less.

 

A Vivitar 285 is fine, but even used they will be at the top of your price range, and it doesn't swivel. The Vivitar 283 doesn't have zoom or manual power control unless you get the optional vari-power adapter to go with it, which might put it out of your price bracket.

[mark u]

How to hack a Vivitar 283:

 

http://www.hiviz.com/activities/guidebook/Activity_02.html

[dariusz calkowski]

Thank you all very much. Mark thank you - it's intersting. I found in local store used vivitar 283 made in Japan. I went with it becouse it's very reliable. After taking few pictures i'm happy with it but I need time to master it. But thinking doesn't pain ;-)

Thanks again.